Flip Your Learning: Enhancing Engagement and Active Learning
Who Can Benefit?
This strategy is particularly useful for individuals who struggle with maintaining concentration during lectures. By preparing in advance, you can engage more effectively with the material and participate more confidently in class discussions.
How to Implement Pre-Lecture Preparation
- Review Class Materials: Before attending a lecture, take time to review the materials available online. This might include lecture slides, reading lists, or any other resources provided by the instructor.
- Conduct Preliminary Research: Search online for basic information related to the lecture topic. This can help you form a general understanding and identify key themes.
- Familiarise Yourself with Vocabulary: Identify any specialist vocabulary or key terms that are likely to be used in the lecture. Understanding these terms in advance will help you follow the lecture more easily.
- Explore Key Concepts: Look up important concepts, theories, or approaches that will be covered in the lecture. This pre-exposure can make the content more accessible during the lecture.
- Learn About Key Figures: Identify any significant people associated with the topic. Understanding their contributions can provide context and deepen your understanding of the material.
The Science Behind Pre-Lecture Preparation
Preparing for lectures in advance, also known as “flipping the classroom,” helps you engage more actively with the content during the actual lecture. With a basic understanding already in place, you can listen more effectively, focus on key points, and take more meaningful notes. This method also improves your recall of important material and makes participation easier, as you’ll feel more confident in your understanding of the topic.
Reference
Cottrell, S. (2019). The Study Skills Handbook (Vol. 30). Bloomsbury Publishing.