Note Taking
Students can make the mistake of going to class and taking notes through habit, without thinking about what they are writing. They should plan for how many concepts are typically discussed during lecture so that they can pre-organize their note page and ask themselves critical questions as they write.
Some guidelines:
Purpose. Identifying their purpose for taking notes will assist students' listening and concentration skills. Making a plan before coming to class on what they want to achieve during the lecture will enhance their ability to identify useful information.
Before lecture. Students revise previous lecture notes, pre-read the topic, check their understanding of new vocabulary, prepare note pages for format, and list symbols and abbreviations they plan to use.
Organization. Reading the textbook or other assigned materials before class will help students to know what is important by skimming titles, sub-headings, bolded text, beginning of paragraphs, etc. This will help them organize their note pages before lecture. It will also help them identify what information is relevant to record and put into their own words, rather than trying to record every word the instructor says.
Collecting information. Note taking involves collecting information, restating information in our own words and organizing concepts, topics and details.
Creating study materials. We are essentially creating study materials as we take notes. It is best if students develop their own personal note-taking strategies; however, they will initially benefit from research-based note-taking strategies that may lead to their own designs.
Colour and memory. The use of different colours in notes by highlighting main topics, main ideas and examples will help memory by categorizing information.
After lecture. Notes must be reviewed and revised as soon as possible after class. Review notes by creating a new format of notes, such as creating concept maps from memory, then comparing them with the original notes.
Some guidelines:
Purpose. Identifying their purpose for taking notes will assist students' listening and concentration skills. Making a plan before coming to class on what they want to achieve during the lecture will enhance their ability to identify useful information.
Before lecture. Students revise previous lecture notes, pre-read the topic, check their understanding of new vocabulary, prepare note pages for format, and list symbols and abbreviations they plan to use.
Organization. Reading the textbook or other assigned materials before class will help students to know what is important by skimming titles, sub-headings, bolded text, beginning of paragraphs, etc. This will help them organize their note pages before lecture. It will also help them identify what information is relevant to record and put into their own words, rather than trying to record every word the instructor says.
Collecting information. Note taking involves collecting information, restating information in our own words and organizing concepts, topics and details.
Creating study materials. We are essentially creating study materials as we take notes. It is best if students develop their own personal note-taking strategies; however, they will initially benefit from research-based note-taking strategies that may lead to their own designs.
Colour and memory. The use of different colours in notes by highlighting main topics, main ideas and examples will help memory by categorizing information.
After lecture. Notes must be reviewed and revised as soon as possible after class. Review notes by creating a new format of notes, such as creating concept maps from memory, then comparing them with the original notes.