Why listening and note taking is important?
Do you sometimes struggle to determine what to write down during lectures? Have you ever found yourself wishing you could take better or more effective notes? Whether you are sitting in a lecture hall or watching a lecture online, note-taking in class can be intimidating, but with a few strategic practices, anyone can take clear, effective notes. This handout will discuss the importance of note-taking, qualities of good notes, and tips for becoming a better note-taker. Show
Why good notes matterIn-class benefitsTaking good notes in class is an important part of academic success in college. Actively taking notes during class can help you focus and better understand main concepts. In many classes, you may be asked to watch an instructional video before a class discussion. Good note-taking will improve your active listening, comprehension of material, and retention. Taking notes on both synchronous and asynchronous material will help you better remember what you hear and see. Post-class benefitsAfter class, good notes are crucial for reviewing and studying class material so that you better understand it and can prepare appropriately for exams. Efficient and concise notes can save you time, energy, and confusion that often results from trying to make sense of disorganized, overwhelming, insufficient, or wordy notes. When watching a video, taking good notes can save you from the hassle of pausing, rewinding, and rewatching large chunks of a lecture. Good notes can provide a great resource for creating outlines and studying. How to take good notes in classTheres a lot going on during class, so you may not be able to capture every main concept perfectly, and thats okay. Part of good note-taking may include going back to your notes after class (ideally within a day or two) to check for clarity and fill in any missing pieces. In fact, doing so can help you better organize your thoughts and to determine whats most important. With that in mind, its important to have good source material. Preparing to take good notes in classThe first step to taking good notes in class is to come to class prepared. Here are some steps you can take to improve your note-taking before class even begins:
Note-taking during classNow that you are prepared and organized, what can you do to take good notes while listening to a lecture in class? Here are some practical steps you can try to improve your in-class note-taking:
Determining whats important enough to write downYou may be asking yourself how you can identify the main points of a lecture. Here are some tips for recognizing the most important points in a lecture:
Different formats for notesThere is no right format to use when taking notes. Rather, there are many different structures and styles that can be used. Whats important is that you find a method that works for you and encourages the use of good note-taking qualities and stick with it. Here are a few types of formats that you may want to experiment with: 1. Cornell Notes: This style includes sections for the date, essential question, topic, notes, questions, and a summary. Check out this linkfor more explanation. 2. Outline: An outline organizes the lecture by main points, allowing room for examples and details. 3. Flowchart/concept map: A visual representation of notes is good for content that has an order or steps involved. See more about concept mapping here. 4. Charting Method: A way to organize notes from lectures with a substantial amount of facts through dividing key topics into columns and recording facts underneath. 5. Sentence Method: One of the simplest forms of note taking, helpful for disseminating which information from a lecture is important by quickly covering details and information. Considerwhats the best strategy for you: handwritten, digital, or both?Taking notes in a way to fully understand all information presented conceptually and factually may differ between students. For instance, working memory, or the ability to process and manipulate information in-the-moment, is often involved in transcribing lecture notes, which is best done digitally; but there are individual differences in working memory processes that may affect which method works best for you. Research suggests that handwriting notes can help us learn and remember conceptual items better than digital notes. However, there are some pros to typing notes on a computer as well, including speed and storage. Consider these differences before deciding what is best for you.
Follow up after classPart of good note-taking includes revisiting your notes a day or so after class. During this time, check for clarity, fill in definitions of key terms, organize, and figure out any concepts you may have missed or not fully understood in class. Figure out what may be missing and what you may need to add or even ask about. If your lecture is recorded, you may be able to take advantage of the captions to review. Many times, even after taking good notes, you will need to utilize other resources in order to review, solidify, question, and follow-up with the class. Dont forget to use the resources available to you, which can only enhance your note-taking. These resources include:
Works consultedThe Pen is Mightier Than the Keyboard: Advantages of Longhand Over Laptop Note Taking. Mueller, P., and Oppenheimer, D. Psychological Science 25(6), April 2014. Note-taking With Computers: Exploring Alternative Strategies for Improved Recall. Bui, D.C., Myerson, J., and Hale, S. Journal of Educational Psychology, 105(299-309), 2013. How To Take Study Notes: 5 Effective Note Taking Methods. Oxford Learning. Retrieved from https://www.oxfordlearning.com/5-effective-note-taking-methods/ Preparing for Taking Notes. The Pennsylvania State University. Retrieved from http://tutorials.istudy.psu.edu/notetaking/notetaking2.html Listening Note Taking Strategies. UNSW Sydney. Retrieved from https://student.unsw.edu.au/note-taking-skills Note Taking and In-Class Skills. Virginia Tech University. Retrieved from https://www.ucc.vt.edu/academic_support/study_skills_information/note_taking_and_in-class_skills.html Lecture Note Taking. College of Saint Benedict, Saint Johns University. Retrieved from https://www.csbsju.edu/academic-advising/study-skills-guide/lecture-note-taking Note Taking 101. Oregon State University. Retrieved from http://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/note-taking-tips Note Taking. Why Should I Take Notes in Class? Willamette University. Retrieved from http://willamette.edu/offices/lcenter/resources/study_strategies/notes.html You may reproduce it for non-commercial use if you use the entire handout and attribute the source: The Learning Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill If you enjoy using our handouts, we appreciate contributions of acknowledgement. Make a Gift |