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Listening Skills are the
primary means of acquiring information from lectures. There is a
difference between hearing and listening.
Hearing is passive:
Listening is active:
It is something you choose
to do. It requires the use of the ears for hearing and the brain for
comprehending. The absorption of meaning requires three activities:
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Listening to absorb
requires concentration, an activity involving processing and
interpretation of incoming information.
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Listening to absorb
requires paying attention. You must be intentional, purposeful and
deliberate.
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Listening to absorb
requires dynamic listening where you focus on content, not the
delivery. Focus on ideas not just facts. Listen for central themes.
Listen for the lecturer's remarks and organizational pattern.
Signals to watch for
when actively listening to the lecturer:
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Write down what teacher
puts on board. Print the material in capitals or mark with "OB." If it
was important enough to put on the board, you will need to know it.
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Write down definitions,
rather than "see page 266." Listen for enumeration words like, "the
four steps. .., " then number and list them in order.
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Listen for, "This is
important," or " A point that will keep coming up , later. .., " or "
Pay special attention to...."
Be sure to write the
important statements down and write in the margin, "imp" or mark (*) to
show its importance.
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Listen for points that
are repeated. You can usually assume it is important. Write "R" for
repeated in the margin so that you will know later that the instructor
stressed that idea.
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Listen to the
instructor's voice. If is slows down, becomes louder, or otherwise
signals that you are expected to write down exactly what is being
said, word for word.
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Watch for nonverbal
clues. The instructor may walk toward their audience or may pace as
they stress an essential concept or may tap on the desk or use the
hand to make a point.
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