When in class try your best to learn from lectures which are being delivered by the teacher.  Good teacher will use the lecture to give you an overview of the main themes, develop your understanding of the issues, and guide you on how to find out more about the subject and the reading you need to undertake. You may also gain details of relevant current issues, explanations of complex materials or questions to answer that develop your own thinking and research.

How to develop understanding in class:

Before attending a class, make sure to go through hand outs provided by the teacher, or it is always best to make an extra effort and search on web regarding to the subject. That way you will be more prepared for the class.

• Focus on listening to the lecture
• Note how the different themes or issues interconnect, so you gain a good overall grasp of the subject
• Make a brief note of key themes
• Note any additional references
• Read about the subject of the lecture before and after in order to pick up details.

Few tips for classroom learning:

Before the class

• Prepare for lectures – find out what is in the books on the subject so that you are aware of what you do not need to note in the lecture
• Form an opinion about the subject of the lecture
• Set yourself questions and leave spaces to have these answered during the lecture.

During the class

• Listen to ‘make sense’ rather than to make notes
• Listen for ‘signposts’ about what is coming next or for summaries of key points
• Listen for answers to questions you set in advance
• Write yourself questions so you can trace answers and information after the lecture
• Make brief notes of essential points.

After the class

• Read your notes and fill in any gaps
• Discuss the lecture with other people
• Consider how the lecture changed or developed your opinions of the subject
• Label and file your notes.