It is important for you to be a good
listener in class. Much of what you will have to learn will be presented
verbally by your teachers. Just hearing what your teachers say is not the same
as listening to what they say. Listening is a cognitive act that requires you
to pay attention and think about and mentally process what you hear.
Here are some things you should do
to be a good listener in class.
- Be Cognitively Ready to Listen When You Come to Class. Make sure you complete all assigned work and
readings. Review your notes from previous class sessions. Think about what
you know about the topic that will be covered in class that day.
- Be Emotionally Ready to Listen When You Come to Class. Your attitude is important. Make a conscious choice
to find the topic useful and interesting. Be committed to learning all
that you can.
- Listen with a Purpose.
Identify what you expect and hope to learn from the class session. Listen
for these things as your teacher talks.
- Listen with an Open Mind. Be receptive to what your teacher says. It is good to
question what is said as long as you remain open to points of view other
than your own.
- Be Attentive.
Focus on what your teacher is saying. Try not to daydream and let your
mind wander to other things. It helps to sit in the front and center of
the class, and to maintain eye contact with your teacher.
- Be an Active Listener.
You can think faster than your teacher can speak. Use this to your
advantage by evaluating what is being said and trying to anticipate what
will be said next. Take good written notes about what your teacher says.
While you can think faster than your teacher can speak, you cannot write
faster than your teacher can speak. Taking notes requires you to make decisions about what to write,
and you have to be an active listener to do this.
- Meet the Challenge.
Don't give up and stop listening when you find the information being
presented difficult to understand. Listen even more carefully at these
times and work hard to understand what is being said. Don't be reluctant
to ask questions.
- Triumph Over the Environment. The classroom may too noisy, too hot, too cold, too bright,
or too dark. Don't give in to these inconveniences. Stay focused on the
big picture - LEARNING.