Paying Attention by Duncan

Paying Attention by Duncan - January 2015 Scholarship Essay

The only way that we can communicate effectively is if both parties are paying attention. If an audience is not paying attention to a speaker, then they are not absorbing all the information, and can miss understanding the fundamental concepts rather than just memorizing the facts. If a speaker is not paying attention to their audience, then the speaker is not focused on how well the information they are distributing is being received and retained. Just reading a presentation aloud, with a few equations or diagrams on a board is not enough for some people, a few are lucky to truly learn, and apply the lectures topic so easily. It takes a focused effort from both the audience and speaker for learning to happen.

Audience attention is obviously necessary, they are the ones there to receive the information, and whether it benefits them or not, focusing on a lecture can make retaining the information easier. Note taking is a good way to focus attention. While it can pull attention away sometimes, drawing extensive diagrams or long equations, the teacher will usually repeat the point if requested. Note taking has been shown to improve retention, more so that typing notes on a laptop. This also plays into the teacher paying attention, building lectures around easy note taking can be very helpful, or enforcing a standard note format can be beneficial too. By paying attention it becomes easier for the communication between the teacher and student to happen.

When the teacher or speaker is paying attention, then they can read the audience to see what is and is not helping their audience absorb the information. Two people will rarely learn at the same rate and with the same method. So it is a lecturer’s duty to make sure that everyone, or at least as many people as possible, are understanding the information. Drawing pictures, using analogies, or even having a student who does understand the topic tutor or present to the class. Schools should be accommodating teachers for extra time after classes so that students can come in for tutoring, but that’s another topic.

Learning is based on communication. If the communication is not good, then the audience did not learn anything, and the speaker has no idea of that. It’s not enough for the audience to just hear what a teacher said, and a teacher who just reads from slides, or lacks any effort in their presentation. Both need to concentrate and pay attention to each other. When that happens, communication happens, learning happens.