Lecture Preparation

This workshop:

• Before the presentation
• During the presentation
• After the presentation
• Further resources

Key words: lecture, podcast, notetaking, transition signals

What preparation do you do before listening to a presentation?

Exercise 1: Before a presentation

Click the box next to those statements that describe you and your habits.

	I don't do anything. I just turn up. Without any preparation beforehand, it is unlikely that you will be able to follow what is being said. Before a lecture you should check the topic, consider how this lecture fits with your previous learning, do some background reading/scanning and make a list of new words and their meanings.
	I look up what the topic will be. Good! But you need to go further than this. See how the topic fits with what you already know. Get a feel for the subject by doing some background reading on the subject. Make a list of any new words and their meanings.
	I find out how the presentation fits into the overall structure of the topic. Excellent! Having a picture in your mind of how the lecture is related to other lectures and the readings you have done, will help you to focus on the key ideas and their significance during the lecture.
	I familiarise myself with the work I have done on the topic so far. Good idea! While you listen to the lecture, relate what you hear to what you know; and look for the relationships between ideas.
	Just before the presentation, I prime myself for it. Great! You probably arrive on time; sit near the front away from distractions; prepare yourself for the lecturer's style; try to predict what the lecturer will say; and tell yourself that only you can control what you get out of the lecture - you know that learning isn't something that is 'done to you'!

There are many techniques that can help you get the most out of presentations. Complete the following activity to find out what you generally do during a presentation - and what more you could do.

What you do after the presentation will affect your understanding and memorisation of what took place.

Click on the following links for more information.

1. check your understanding of the presentation
• Check your notes with one of your classmates.
• Talk about the presentation with some of your classmates.
2. follow up on anything you're not clear about
• Make a note to look it up as soon as possible.
• Ask your lecturer.
• Check with one of your classmates.
3. label and file your lecture notes and any handouts
• Assemble your notes in a loose-leaf folder (ring-binder).
• Use separators for each unit; or use a separate folder for each unit.
• Using ring-binder folders allows easy insertion and removal of notes and supporting materials. For example, handouts or phototcopies associated with the presentation can be inserted with your notes for that presentation.
4. think about the presentation

Ask yourself questions about the presentation:
• What were the main points?
• How do they relate to each other?
• How was the argument or material developed?
• What questions were raised by the presenter?
5. review your notes
• Fill in any gaps.
• Expand on ideas.
• Highlight areas of importance.
• What questions were raised by the presenter?
• Ask yourself questions about your notes to check your understanding.
6. check the spelling and meaning of any new words

When you are studying a new topic, you will encounter new words/terms/phrases. You may like to write these in the form of a vocabulary list, noting:
• a definition
• an explanation in your own words
• an example of its usage.
7. prepare questions for the next tutorial for that unit.

Tutorials are generally an opportunity to follow up with your lecturer, any matters relating to your unit of study. Make use of this opportunity.

1. spend 10-20 minutes reviewing your notes again
• Test yourself on some of the key points.
• Look for parts that may relate to exams or assignments.
• Link your notes to the new topic coming up.
2. begin preparing for your next lecture.
• Check the topic
• See how the new topic links with previous topics and your previous learning.
• Do some background reading.
• Make a list of new words and their meanings.

1. to aid memory retention, spend 10-20 minutes reviewing your notes again.
• Reviewing your notes at regular intervals will help you to retain the information. With no reviews, you will have forgotten the information within a month!
• Use key words and questions to guide your revision.