International Student Orientation

Making the Most ofLectures and Tutorials

Dr Julia MillerSchool of Education

• Where is home for you?• What are you studying?• Did you go to university in your country?

Welcome to Adelaide

What do you think are the major differences between learning in your home country and learning in Australia?

◦Role of teacher◦Student-centred approach◦Critical thinking◦Active learning◦Independent learning

International Student Transition

1. Lectures2. Note taking3. Language clues4. After the lecture5. Seminars and tutorials6. Other small-group formats7. Practice8. Reflection

Outline

What’s the difference between a lecture, a seminar and a tutorial?• Lecture - larger - varying interaction.

• Seminar - smaller - more interaction. Students may take it in turns to present.

• Tutorial - even smaller, with more interaction and discussion.

Lectures, seminars and tutorials

1. Lecture formats

• Stand up and talk• Stand up and talk with PowerPoint• Engage students by questions• Discuss things with students

Getting the most out of your lectures

Prepare:

• Readings• Revision• Location• Equipment

Engage• Listen• Consider• Question• Think

2. Note taking in lectures• Don’t try to write everything down.• Don’t simply copy the PowerPoint slides. • Do listen before you start to write.

Note

• Abbreviations (eg abbrs)• Short phrases, not sentences• symbols• Look for possible exam topics

Mind map

Action column

Choc from MexicoMedia egs – newspaper, magsReps of choc in mediaHealth problems

Oral pres.

More egs?

Signif?

Problems with note taking

The lecturer is too fast• Write down questions for later• Try to follow the structure• Prepare before the lecture

You don’t understand• Write down your question.• Ask - lecturer

- tutor- other students

• Check - readings- topic guide

3. Language cluesStart of lecture• Let’s start with . . .• The first thing . . .• Today we’ll be looking at . . .• I’d like to think about . . .Topic shifters• So let's turn to . . .• The next thing . . .• Now I'd like to consider . . .• Another important point is . . .

More language cluesSummarisers• So now we can see . . .• Let's round this off . . .• What have we been looking at this

afternoon?Exemplifiers• One example is . . . • If we look at X we can see that Y . . .

More language cluesRelators• This ties in with . . .• This relates to . . .• Keep in mind that . . .• OK (falling intonation, pause) . . .Evaluators• No problem with that . . .• This all looks fine . . .• This is an important point . . .

More language cluesQualifiers• This is true, but . . .• That's all very well, but . . .• Having said that, . . .• Although . . .• As far as we know . . .Asides• Where were we?• That reminds me of . . .(All language clues are from DeCarrico, J & Nattinger, JR 1988, 'Lexical phrases for the comprehension

of academic lectures’, English for Specific Purposes, vol. 7, pp. 91-102.)

4. After the lecture• Read• Highlight• Summarise• Discuss• Look for possible exam questions• Revise before the next lecture

What do you remember?

1 hour 24 hours 7 days 1 month0

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100Lecture

• How could you participate?o Prepare – do the readingso Ask questionso Sit near the fronto Join in group discussions

5. Seminars and tutorials

Laboratories• Science-based• Bigger and longer than most

tutorials• Focus on processes: using

equipment, conducting experiments• Run by demonstrators

6. Other small-group formats

• Listen carefully to safety procedures and always follow them exactly.

• Treat all equipment, chemicals and samples with care and respect.

• Don’t take food or beverages into a lab (unless they’re part of your experiment!).

• Wear protective clothing when appropriate, and especially wear appropriate shoes (sturdy, closed-in with non-slip sole).

Laboratory Health and Safety

Workshops:• Like tutorials, but even more active

(i.e. you do more work)• You will often be asked to complete a

piece of work or bring one with you• You will then share it with others in the

workshop• Example: creative writing workshop

Different Small-Group formats

• Conference (experts in a field)• Symposium (like a conference but smaller)

Papers: like a seminar – 20 minute presentation followed by questions

Posters: on display and author is available to answer questions

More advanced formats

7. Practice

Practise taking notes with:1. a mind map2. an action column

8. Reflection What 2 things will you remember from this

session? Is anything still unclear?

Writing Centre learning guides: www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre

Further practice:http://www.uefap.com/listen/listfram.htm

Further listening practice Recorded lectures on My Uni Radio 5RPH on frequency 1197 (AM) for

readings of The Advertiser and The Australian

Writing CentreLocation: Level 3, Hub Central EastWebsite: www.adelaide.edu.au/writingcentre

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