ABSTRACT
We are surrounded by sounds, whether from people's voices, mobile phones, traffic noise, television, radio or MP3 players. We also read books, newspapers, magazines, email, text messages, web pages, adverts, even cereal packets, but the extent to which we retain a memory of what we read or hear, or gain a sense that the knowledge has changed our thinking in some way really depends on the context and the reasons why we are reading or listening to it in the first place. Technology has made it possible to present course content in a range of innovative ways. This chapter explains what one might encounter and how it might help one in effective listening, reading and sense-making. It deals with lecture materials first, then move on to courses where the content is wholly or partly online. Lecturers often provide online access to notes or slide presentations either before or after a lecture, tutorial or lab session.
