Maximising Learning: the importance of attending lectures and using recordings effectively

Don't rely on lecture recordings alone

It’s important to develop a routine that prioritises attending lectures over relying solely on recorded content. Research shows that students who attend more lectures tend to get better grades.

Attending lectures in person:

• Provides opportunities for in-person interaction with professors and peers, with opportunities to ask questions and engage in discussions that recordings do not provide.

• Fosters a deeper understanding of the material compared to just watching recordings. Non-verbal cues and body language from instructors, can aid better understanding.

• Can offer real-time feedback and clarification on complex topics.

• Can enhance networking opportunities, allowing students to build relationships with peers and faculty that can be beneficial for future collaborations or career opportunities.

• Can help you stay focused and engaged in a formal, structured environment, compared to watching recordings.

• Enables participation in group activities or discussions fostering teamwork and communication skills.

Making the most of lecture recordings

• Create a dedicated study schedule that includes time for watching lecture recordings.

• Take a strategic approach to reviewing lecture recordings to reinforce learning. Review challenging sections of a lecture. Use playback features, such as pause and rewind, to ensure comprehension of complex topics.

• Take notes while watching the recordings to actively engage with the material.

• Discuss recorded lectures with peers to enhance understanding and gain different perspectives. Consider watching recordings together.

• Don't binge watch lecture recordings as revision.

• Don't watch recordings while trying to do something else.

See the full infographic guide on using lecture recordings, produced by Nordmann et al. (2018) that inspired this resource.

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