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Note Taking

The document discusses the significance and benefits of note-taking as a cognitive tool that enhances understanding, retention, and engagement with material. It outlines effective strategies for improving note-taking, such as using one's own words, active listening, and various methods like the Outline and Cornell methods. Additionally, it highlights the importance of avoiding common pitfalls in note-taking and suggests digital tools to aid the process.

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ommandve7000
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10 views

Note Taking

The document discusses the significance and benefits of note-taking as a cognitive tool that enhances understanding, retention, and engagement with material. It outlines effective strategies for improving note-taking, such as using one's own words, active listening, and various methods like the Outline and Cornell methods. Additionally, it highlights the importance of avoiding common pitfalls in note-taking and suggests digital tools to aid the process.

Uploaded by

ommandve7000
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Note-Taking

The Significance of Note-Taking


• Capturing and Recording Information
• A cognitive tool that enhances
understanding, retention, and engagement
with material. (Engages the Mind actively)
• A Productive Habit [Constructivism]
• It requires students to listen carefully,
decide what information is essential, and
organize it in a coherent manner.
• Research indicates that individuals can
lose up to 40% of new information within the
first 24 hours if they do not engage with it
actively; effective notetaking can help retain
nearly 100% of the information received.
• Even if one is a strong listener, it is nearly
impossible to recall everything from a lecture
weeks later when preparing for a test.
* Memory as an Unreliable Source
Benefits of Notetaking
• Enhanced Memory Retention
• Writing down key concepts helps reinforce learning
by creating a tangible record that can be reviewed
later.
• The physical act of writing engages different
cognitive processes [Embodied Cognition]
• Improved Comprehension
• Distill complex ideas into simpler terms.
[Cognitive Load]
• Structured Organization
• Efficient review and retrieval of information.
• Active Participation
• Less likely to become distracted or disengaged
(Increased concentration)
Making Notes Better
• Use Your Own Words
• Neatness
• Focus on the Why, not just the What
• Digital vs Pen
• Treat your notes as living documents – Update, Revise, Highlight
• Critical Analysis
• Prepare before the Lecture
• Read Assigned Materials
• Know your Syllabus and Course Plan
• Active Listening and Non Verbal Ques
• Use Consistent Formatting
• Connect New Information to Existing Knowledge (Linking)
• Adding Dates and Other Information
Making Notes Better
• Reviewing: spend a few minutes reviewing notes
from the last lecture before the new one begins. (Jogs
the memory, Follow teacher’s train of thought)
– The importance of Early Evaluation (24 hours)
• Be Selective
• When uncertain, write it down.
• The Balance Between Writing Too Much and Too
Little
• The Role of Abbreviations
• Prepare Key Abbreviations Before Class
• Write Concise Class Notes (Avoid unnecessary
words)
• Understand the Lecture Style
• Variety in Note-Taking Methods
• Rewriting or Typing Notes
– Beneficial in Clarifying and Refining
Things to Avoid in Note Taking
• Avoid Transcribing the Lecture Verbatim
• Don’t Let Your Notes Be the End of Your Learning
• Avoid Simply Copying From the Slides
• Don’t focus too much on minute details, losing
sight of the bigger picture
• Differentiate Between Major and Minor Points
• Avoid Focusing Solely on Facts
• Avoid Ignoring Questions (Gaps in Understanding)
• Don’t Multi-Task
• Don't Overcomplicate Your System (Too many
symbols or formats)
Two Note-Taking Methods
Outline Method
• Traditional Approach
• Organises information hierarchically
• Main Topic
• Subtopics
• Details

• Revisions and re-arragning possible


at a later stage

Advantages:
1. Structured Layout
2. Clarity

* Less emphasis on summary


Cornell Method
• Developed by Walter Pauk at Cornell University in the
1950s (How to Study in College)
• Designed to improve the effectiveness of note-taking and
review

Page Layout
• Cue Column: This narrow column on the left (about 2.5
inches wide) is used to jot down keywords, questions, or
main ideas.
• Note-Taking Area: The large, main section on the right
(about 6 inches wide) is used for detailed notes taken during
lectures or readings.
• Summary Section: A space at the bottom of the page
(about 2 inches high) where you write a summary of the
notes after the lecture.
Cornell Method
Process
• Note-Taking: During the lecture or reading, you fill in the
Note-Taking Area with detailed information.
• Review: After the lecture, you write questions or
keywords in the Cue Column based on the notes you
took.
• Summarise: At the end of the page, you write a summary
of the key points and main ideas.

Advantages
• Organised Review: The Cue Column helps you to
quickly identify key concepts and questions
• Active Engagement: The Process of summarizing and
making questions

• Learning Curve and Space Constraints (Concerns)


Mapping and Charting Methods
• Mind Maps and Concept Maps
• Facilitate Non-Linear Thinking and Idea Generation
• Flow Charts
• Visualization
• Comparison Charts/Tables
• Venn Diagrams
• Overlapping Attributes and Relationships
Digital Tools
• OneNote
• Evernote
• Google NotebookLM
• Notion
• Obsidian
• AI Tools
• Otter AI (Voice Recording)

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