Your Contribution in Class
A sea of silence is the worst thing a lecturer can confront. But it is the student who loses most when not participating fully in class. When questions are not asked, if discussion is not promoted, then the student is losing out on valuable learning opportunities. Here we will look at the various ways in which you can contribute and how your contribution will enrich your learning experience.
Attending and participating
Simply attending a lecture or seminar means very little unless you are participating. During a lecture you need to listen attentively and take notes. With the permission of the lecturer you might also want to record the lecture. This is good for reviewing later however, taking notes is the best way of memorizing new material. Further participation is in asking questions when the time comes. During a seminar you will also join in discussions, asking questions and clarifying points.
As you see there are two ways of participating, one is to ensure you are personally focussed and learning; the second fulfils the former but also adds to a more complete learning experience as you engage with the lecturer and your fellow students. Do not be afraid of sounding ignorant or silly, if you knew everything you would not need to study and no question is inappropriate as long as it is related to the subject.
Questions and discussions
There are those who feel too shy to say much and there are those who have so much to say that they dominate discussions if allowed to do so. It is the job of your lecturer to maintain a balance. Most students will feel nervous the first time they speak before a class. It is a barrier you have to jump over; very soon you will be wondering what you were worrying about.
Term work, papers, and essays
If you are attending a seminar series you will be required to prepare a seminar for one of the sessions. If you read, make notes, and prepare well then there can be no better practice for presentations and the giving of papers in your future career. It is certainly a challenging experience to begin with but if you prepare well then it will also be one of your best learning experiences. Your preparation is not only for your own benefit but is also a gesture of respect to all your fellow students who are attending. Respect is also a factor when handing in essays or any other term work. In this case I am speaking of self-respect. Always hand in on time or you will lose marks, and put your best into each essay, or study journal that you write. You may ask in what way this is a contribution to your class. The answer is easy, the more students who are completing their work well, the better and more inspiring class discussions will be.
Contributing to the general ambience in class
All of the above points contribute to a healthy ambience in class which should be lively, questioning, respectful, and studious. Attendance and punctuality are essential unless there are unavoidable extraneous circumstances. Respect for your fellow students, yourself, and your lecturer/teacher immediately raises the tenor of a class. Sharing your ideas, listening to the ideas of others, asking for clarification when necessary, and a genuine interest in the subject will all help to create a true learning environment where the acquisition of knowledge is a joy. Do not think of yourself as a consumer but as a co-worker in the pursuit of learning.
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