Maximizing Listening and Note Taking Skills
Overview & Goals
Enhanced listening and note taking strategies contribute to higher academic productivity and less stress.
This seminar provides strategies to help process, retain and apply information to tests, papers and projects.
Aids are provided to organize and integrate multiple and complex reading matter.
Listening: A Critical Component of Learning (pie chart)
Listening 40%
Talking 35%
Reading 16%
Writing 9%
Little formal training in listening skills, although listening is the primary method of communicating. In addition, we can think more rapidly than we can speak, leaving
us a great deal of mental energy—frequently, then minds wander when others are speaking. This situation become particularly acute during a lecture where we are
far from the speaker, there is little interaction or involvement and only mildly interested in the topic. After a 10-minute presentation the average listener may only
remember 50% of spoken word. After 48 hours that drops another 50%.
Listening Self-Check
I can’t concentrate when I’m not interested.
I listen in spurts; tending to tune in and out.
I hear words, but don’t really absorb the ideas.
I can’t listen and take useful notes simultaneously.
I can’t paraphrase what others say.
I seldom restate instructions or directions to ensure accuracy and completeness.
I rarely preview or survey the text before the lecture.
Stress or fatigue influences the effectiveness of my listening.
Levels of Listening (Covey, S.R.)
Ignoring—not listening at all
Pretending—using such responses as “Yeah, un-huh.”
Selective listening-tuning in to parts of what is being said
Attentive listening—paying attention only to the speaker’s words.
Benefits of Effective Listening
More efficient and effective communication with instructional staff, advisors & peers
Improved memory
Better concentration
Faster and better reading
Less frustration and stress
Enhanced academic performance
Barriers to Effective Listening
Stressed
Emotional
Conflicted
Fatigued
Ill
Rushed
Distracted
Disorganized
Rate Your Lecture Notes
Course 1: _________
__ Legible
__ Complete
__ Accurate
__ Relevant
__ Useful
Lectures: How Much Do I Learn?
Ask, “How much information do I learn in lecture?
Does it differ from one course to another?
If not learning much, are you trying to teach yourself outside of class?
How do studying lecture notes relate to completing assignments or taking tests?
Visual Learning Style
Visual learners need to see an instructor’s body language and facial expression to fully understand the content. They prefer to sit in front.
They think, learn, and remember best when creating or using pictures, diagrams, illustrations, videos, maps, and hand-outs.
Often, they prefer to take detailed notes to absorb the information.
They enhance memory by using puzzles, visual metaphors and analogies, & constructing models.
Reading and Note Taking
(Photo of open book and student taking notes on table)
Listening and Note Taking
Before you listen to a lecture:
Review the topic
Pose questions
Use the syllabus
Use the textbook table of contents
Use the topics, titles or major heading of the reading assignments
Decide on a note taking format
Arrive early/relax
While you listen:
Face the speaker
Listen for the answers to questions
Emphasize important points by printing or circling
Listen for signal words: however, three reasons…
Use abbreviations, diagrams & symbols
Consider: Microsoft Office OneNote 2013
Consider: a pen that records the lecture: Livescribe: www.livescribe.com/ (http://www.livescribe.com/)
After you listen:
Review and edit: add, delete, check accuracy
Type or rewrite if illegible
Ask for clarification
Summarize on diagrams/charts
Develop questions
Take a self-quiz
Find a study buddy
Schedule a review session
SQ4R Applied to Listening and Note Taking
SQ4R Applied to Listening and Note Taking
___ S = SURVEY to identify main points
Identify the topic of the lecture in advance
Survey the assignment, previous lecture notes, and text material
Survey study aids such as chapter objectives or introduction, illustrations, questions, summary
___ Q = QUESTION to identify a purpose for listening
Ask questions based on the main ideas of the assignment or previous lectures
Write questions to answer during the lecture in the margin of a note page or on sticky notes
Attempt to answer the questions by using prior information.
Check answers by skimming the text, table of contents and/or previous lectures
___ L = LISTEN to the lecture
Stay alert. Face the speaker, review your questions, and be ready to process information
Listen for the answers to your pre written questions
Visualize or imagine the concepts or examples
Bring print materials to aid the note taking
Enlarge illustrations or diagrams to help find the details
Take a mini break every 15 to 20 minutes
___ R = (w)Rite answers to questions
Use key words, phrases, and abbreviations to answer questions
Write answers in your own words to improve recall of ideas and facts
Use charts, diagrams, and symbols to organize and summarize information
___ R = Recite the answers to questions in your own words
Repeat, paraphrase, and summarize the information
Elaborate about the main ideas and relationships between ideas
___ R = Review notes within 24- to 48 hours
Use a white board or blank page to write answers to questions
Check accuracy and completeness
Relate current to precious lecture
Write a summary of the main idea or concept
Create multiple choice or short answer questions
Mind Mapping (http://www.tonybuzan.com/about/mind-mapping/
(http://www.tonybuzan.com/about/mind-mapping/))
A system that uses images color, words, and numbers arranged in a connected, radiant, & hierarchical structure.
Used for taking notes, brainstorming, analyzing, organizing, summarizing, integrating, and memorizing.
A study aid for working with study partners.
Results in handling complex volumes of information, managing time, increasing efficiency and reducing stress.
The Blank Page Exercise
Define
Classify and categorize
Conceptualize
Summarize
Integrate
Organize materials using charts or diagrams
Listening During Meetings/Discussions
Plan ahead
Go to a private, non distracting space
Provide ample time
Relax
Use visual aids and notetakers
Be an active listener
Send a follow up email
Skills That Work with Advisors and Instructors
Restate to ensure:
1. Accuracy of information
2. Intent or underlying message
Review to ensure:
1. Completeness
2. Appropriate follow up
Request affirmation of intent
Plan ahead and take your time
Confront barriers: stop and take a break when you’re tired, overwhelmed or unclear
Targets For Change
Identify one course
Identify one goal
1. Survey or learn definitions
2. Write a summary
3. Pose one question
4. Review within 48 hours
5. Create one multiple-choice or essay question
Take action!
SSD Seminar 4 Listening Effectively & Taking Noteworthy Notes
(https://studentlife.umich.edu)
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