You may be engaging in active listening in lectures but still don't understand the main point of the lecture. If this describes your experiences, then signposting might help you improve your understanding during lectures.
What is signposting?
Signposting is a verbal cue that lets you know what information will come next, how to use it, and why it’s important. Listening for them can improve how you follow information in the lecture and improve your notes. Four subtle signposts you commonly encounter in lectures but may not be aware of are the following:
1. Identification of the topic
Common phrases your instructors may use to introduce a topic include “Today we are going to...” or “Today I’m going to talk about”. These signposts are not always about the title of the lecture—they can be about why the lecture is important! Whenever possible, arrive early for your lecture when your professor is most likely to use these signposts!
3. Description of trends
Your professor may highlight trends with the phrases “there was a sudden increase...” or “there was a decrease”. When you hear these phrases, your professor is interpreting, summarizing, and analyzing patterns in data, arguments, themes, and changes over time. When taking notes, listen carefully to the meaning and importance of the patterns your professor discusses, including changes, continuities, and their meanings.
2. Lecture structure
Your instructors may use several types of phrases to establish the structure of the lecture or connect it to other lectures to make sense of specific concepts. Pay attention to phrases like “I’m going to start with...” or “...as I mentioned earlier...” Leave a marginal note for yourself next to information related to other lectures to help you retain these connections when revisiting your notes.
4. Analysis and recommendations
When your professor is engaging you in critical analysis, they will use phrases like “What does this mean for...?” or “Where does this lead us...?”. These types of phrases prompt you to pause, think, and see connections between concepts and examples in the lecture—stop note-taking for a few seconds while you think! Your notes should focus on the “so what?” and “now, what?” in this portion of the lecture.
Want to keep building your academic toolkit?
Active listening can be more effective when you know exactly what to listen for. Take your active listening to the next level with these additional signposts: Signposts to listen for during class.