Page 178 - Keys To Community College Success

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How Developed Are Your Listening and Note-Taking Skills?

For each statement, fill in the number that feels right to you, from 1 for “not true for me” to 5 for “very true for me.”

1. I know and understand the stages of listening. 1 2 3 4 5

2. I arrive early for class, prepared to absorb information because I read the required textbook 1 2 3 4 5
ahead of time.
3. I ask questions during lectures and listen for verbal clues to identify important information. 1 2 3 4 5

4. I understand the differences between internal and external distractions and work to control
my learning environment whenever possible. 1 2 3 4 5
5. I use different note-taking formats depending on my instructors’ teaching styles and the 1 2 3 4 5
subject matter.
6. I know how to use visuals in my notes to clarify tough concepts discussed in class. 1 2 3 4 5

7. I believe that good preparation is a necessary first step toward taking comprehensive notes. 1 2 3 4 5
8. I use note-taking strategies to make sense of and record class discussions. 1 2 3 4 5

9. I review notes within 24 hours of taking them. 1 2 3 4 5
10. I use shorthand to take notes faster. 1 2 3 4 5

Each of the topics in these statements is covered in this chapter. Note those statements for which you filled in a 3 or lower.
Skim the chapter to see where those topics appear, and pay special attention to them as you read, learn, and apply new
strategies.
REMEMBER: NO MATTER HOW DEVELOPED YOUR LISTENING AND NOTE-TAKING SKILLS ARE, YOU CAN IMPROVE THEM WITH EFFORT AND
PRACTICE.

HOW CAN YOU BECOME
LISTENING
A process that involves a better listener?
sensing, interpreting,
evaluating, and reacting The act of hearing is not the same as the act of listening. Hearing refers to sensing
to spoken messages.
spoken messages from their source. You can hear things but not understand or remem-
ber all of them, as Norton found out in the beginning of his college career. Listening
starts with hearing, but then continues with focused thinking about what you hear.
Listening is a learnable skill that engages your analytical, creative, and practical think-
ing abilities. It extends far beyond the classroom and rewards you with increased abil-
ity to relate to work and school colleagues, friends, and family.

Know the Stages of Listening

6 Listening is made up of four stages that build on one another: sensing, interpreting,
CHAPTER 140 and back again to the speaker (see Key 6.1).
evaluating, and reacting. These stages take the message from the speaker to the listener