Getting the most out of seminars: Listening by objectives

Even the best seminar is wasted if its participants are neither motivated nor trained to listen by objectives; the success of a seminar depends more on the participant than on the presenter. Participants can prepare for a seminar by (1) setting objectives for attending, (2) assessing their attitudes and beliefs relevant to the subject, and (3) formulating strategies for listening to and seeking needed information. Testing the effectiveness of seminar attendance requires enacting the objectives and summarizing the information obtained.