How to Take Notes for Learning

Introduction

Effective note taking entails summarising important concepts as precisely as possible using your own words and connecting those concepts with the lectures. During the note-taking process, learners will interpret, filter and process information. This new information obtained will be stored with prior knowledge that can be retrieved at a later date when needed.

There is a two-fold value or function in taking notes:

1. Encoding:
   • the listener has to actively engage with the incoming information when taking notes
   • they then need to make decisions about how to encode that material
2. Storing information:
   • note taking creates a record of information that be accessed at a later date
   • this stored information can be used for a multitude of assignments that can be reused at a later date

In order to take good notes, preparation is key. Prior to note taking, the student should familiarise themselves with the topic and focus during the lecture. This will ensure an active listener rather than a passive participant.

Comprehension

Note taking is a technique that is particularly effective on learners' comprehension allowing them to understand what is being taught more easily. Specifically, increased comprehension occurs because of the following three reasons:

1. students focus their attention on the material that is lectured or presented
2. it prevents students from missing the specific points being taught during class
3. it helps with recall of information

Different Kinds of Notes

There are many different kinds of notes. The five most common categories of notes include daily, temporary, literature, permanent and project.

1. Daily notes
   • notes for date order or what is occurring during the day
   • tasks for the day
   • reminders
   • random thoughts you might need at a later date
   • journal, diary or calendar
   • in learning environment: administrative tasks (timetable for the day, meetings with teachers)
2. Temporary notes
   • notes you take in the moment but will delete as soon as you have dealt with the information
   • sticky notes
   • phone number, email address
3. Literature notes
   • questions, comments, challenges you write to authors in the margins of books
   • annotation apps when reading the internet
   • thoughts posted on social media
   • engagement with creators
4. Permanent notes
   • final version of notes taken during class
   • will use at a later date
   • have a title describing contents
   • include relevant quotes from primary source
   • references included
5. Project notes
   • notes that are part of a project/assignment
   • archive once assignment is complete
   • includes a collection of notes include administration, meetings, to-do lists, rough notes, resources, etc.

Reviewing Notes

When the lecture is over and note taking is complete, students should review their notes and continue to attach additional notes. This process encompasses reviewing the new concepts while clarifying any unclear ideas and answering any questions still remaining. This process can be done with a partner in a collaborative nature. Working with a partner has many benefits for note taking. Partner learners will typically be more organised, more legible and have more information written down.

Sketch Note taking

Sketch note taking also called visual or graphic notes is a new method being used. This technique involves notes with illustrations or symbols as well as text. The combination of drawing with writing has been shown to increase memory and retention. The use of sketch notes helps create stories rather than just ideas.

Technology

Mobile devices have been incorporated into the learning environment with the advent of technology. The use of smart phones, tablets, computers and especially iPads for note taking have been found to have positive attitudes towards learning by students. In addition, student report these mobile devices provide additional online information on hand to improve their learning. There have been many developed applications for mobile devices to assist students. Students can even take photos of writings in the classroom boards. The speed and conveniences technologies have provided decreases the amount of time students spend writing.

Technology vs. Writing

There are mixed feeling on the use of technological devices versus pen and paper for note taking. Theories behind each technique is highlighted below:

Technology:

• more organised and comprehensive notes
• some results show poorer academic performance
• can be distracting resulting in decreased attention
• multitasking on device can impact learning

Paper and Pen:

• better academic performance with conceptual questions
• no difference on factual questions
• ability to make connections between different areas of notes
• ability to draw images
• less words captured

** not a big difference now- what seems to matter is the quality of the notes

Cornell Method

The Cornell note system uses a distinctive layout with a single sheet of paper separating it into three columns. The three columns consist of:

1. Cue column:
   • most important section
   • add a question for each note written that helps them organise or remember the information
2. Note-taking area:
   • quick note taking
   • getting overall concept and important detaols
   • use of bullets, graphs, drawings or definitions
   • information regarding what is on the board or professor
3. Summary area:
   • summarises the details of the note-taking area column into a few sentences to attain the big picture
   • trying to to envelop what this particular page is all about
   • key ideas that should be reflected upon

Each column is intended to serve a specific purpose. The Cornell Method allows students to reflect on the information and test themselves throughout the lecture and post-lecture. This system facilitates a mini quiz where the student can take a blank sheet of paper over the note-taking area whereby only exposing the cues. By reviewing the list of cues, the student can qui themselves on the respective notes that accompany each specific cue. Instant feedback is provided with this reciting method and provides motivation to continue. Therefore, this method of note writing uses active reflection rather that passively rereading the material.