STSK1010
STSK1010
STSK1010
LECTURES
what they are for and what to do with them
WHAT USE ARE LECTURES?
What should the student do in a lecture? Usually this question boils down
to an issue about how to retain all the useful information being offered.
The simple answer is to ‘make notes’ but how? And what for?
• Read the module guide and ask yourself why this lecture’s topic is part
of this module’s syllabus?
• Check past essay questions/exam papers: what aspects of this
topic/issue are examined and how?
• Do some preliminary reading.
• Think: what do you already know about this topic? What would you like
to know? How are you going to use the information?
(n.b. the skill of listening, selecting, writing and listening again takes time
- but can only be developed with lots of practice. Start with your first
lecture.)
MAKE SURE YOU HAVE ALL HAND-OUTS GIVEN BEFORE, DURING &
AFTER THE LECTURE.
• As soon as possible after the lecture rewrite your notes into a shorter,
neater version (possibly patterned) notes
• Try to write down the key points and connections from memory
(Always recheck after this exercise. There is no point remembering
information which is incorrect)
• Compare your notes with other students.
• Discuss the lecture with fellow students and the lecturer (why not?)
Do you agree with what you were told? If not, why not - what is your
evidence base for your agreement or disagreement?
There are as many ways of making notes as there are students. No one
method is right. But see our Guide to Note-Making for some handy
advice.
Authored: Graham Roberts 1998