The internet has never been predicted to grow this big within less than two decades. Not only speeds are so high wherein the video screen appears to be a window of reality, but the rates are also getting more affordable. One of the best things that benefitted this technological evolution is having online classes.
The online class is a set-up where learning is done on the computer and both parties, the learner and instructor, are interacting. It seems convenient, but as soon as you experience it, the other important aspects you enjoyed in the classroom such as flexible viewing options, the persistent establishment of dialogue, and personal experience disclosure can be limited.
Tips for Developing Listening Skills
Now, with other classroom aspects reduced in virtual learning, similar to watching a tutorial video, the learner’s listening needs to be sharp. To help you with that, here are tips in order to develop your listening skills while participating in online classes.
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Equipment Preparation
Since the mode of learning is online, you need to have the tools that suit your needs. The internet connection has to be stable and the audio and video components on your computer or smartphone have to be performing at your own comfort. The necessary apps installed need to be functioning when enabled.
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Dialogue Listening Practice
To enhance listening skills more, when you watch movies, try having subtitles. Through that, you can understand what the dialogue is all about, while unconsciously adapting to the speaking patterns of different characters. Then, the next movie or video, try to watch without subtitles and see if you can now comprehend the dialogue, no matter what the vocal dynamics are.
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Learning Material Preparation
To ease your listening, you need to understand the lesson beforehand. You can read ahead, but you don’t have to rush in absorbing everything. Once you at least read once, you can highlight the points where you don’t understand and make the online class a mere clarification of what you read ahead.
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Pay Attention
You can do more things other than participating in online classes. There are so many temptations distracting you, and sometimes, they are so convincing especially when you find the online lecture boring. So, in order to pay attention easily, close all windows that distract you and invest in that pleasure time either before or after the online class.
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Provide Feedback
It may seem tasking but every time there is monotony during the online class, it will be better to provide feedback from time to time. This may change the pace to a much understandable level. When also asked for feedback, a reply has to be given, especially when there are clarifications.
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Communicate with Respect
The most common impeding trait during a discussion is when both parties only want to speak but do not listen. This can happen during online classes. The simple solution is non-interruption, even if the moderator sometimes failed to establish order. Mutual respect must be expected or even demanded.
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Raise Follow-up Procedures
During the online class, there might be chances that you still have doubts in your mind. You can try communicating the moderator or instructor in a discreet manner through the instructions given or through email or social media messaging and convey your confusions as eloquently as you can.
Conclusion
An online class is an avenue wherein you don’t have to travel nor even take a bath in order to participate. However, if self-discipline and the diligence to prepare are not applied, those classes can be useless. You may try the ‘lazy’ approach of recording the whole lecture through another application, but still, listening skill to the recorded file is needed.
