Learning+Strategy+5+-+Notetaking

=**Learning Strategy 6 - Note-Taking** =

Review is the key to learning. Effective note-taking is essential for reducing lecture and/or reading material to a manageable amount of information for organization and review. Physical Factors Materials Before Note-taking The Cornell Note-Taking System Use symbols and abbreviations * adapted from Harding University Academic Resources, online information
 * Note-Taking**
 * Goals**
 * 1) To develop active listening, observation, and recording skills
 * 2) To develop recall
 * Preparation for Note-taking**
 * Sit near the front and center of the class
 * Avoid sitting near doorways, windows, and good friends
 * Pens
 * 3-ring binder with wide-lined loose-leaf notebook paper
 * Record course name, date, and topic clearly at top of paper
 * Be sure of the speaker's purpose
 * Review previous notes and background materials
 * Review reading assignment
 * Effective Note-taking**
 * 1) Take notes on spiral bound notebook paper and place them in chronological order in your loose-leaf notebook. Material can easily be put in or taken out this way. Be sure to title, date, and number each page.
 * 2) Draw a vertical line 2 1/2 inches from the left edge of the page. You will use the remaining 6 inches to write down your lecture notes.
 * 3) Take notes in any format your prefer: numeral-letter, indenting, short paragraph.
 * 4) Concentrate on writing only main ideas and significant details during the lecture.
 * 5) Skip lines between main ideas and use only one side of the paper.
 * 6) Use abbreviations when needed to save time. Avoid too many abbreviations or ones you'll have trouble understanding later.
 * 7) Read through your notes after class, filling in incomplete information and rewriting illegible words.
 * 8) While reviewing, underline all main ideas, or outline them with a box.
 * 9) After reviewing your notes, jot down in the 2 1/2 inch margin, some key words and phrases that summarize the material in the right-hand column.
 * 10) Cover up the 6-inch side of your notes to see if you can recall the important details of the lecture with only the key phrases as clues.
 * 11) Continue this procedure until you can easily recall the important parts of the lecture.
 * 12) Before each new lecture, take a few minutes to look over the notes from the previous lecture so you can connect them with the lecture you are about to hear.
 * 13) Paraphrase what the speaker is saying
 * 14) Be an active listener
 * Note-taking Do's**
 * 1) Attend all lectures.
 * 2) Be academically aggressive.
 * 3) Take a front seat to see and hear better.
 * 4) Use a large, loose-leaf binder.
 * 5) Carry lined, loose-leaf (8 1/2 by 11) sheets to class.
 * 6) Write on only one side of the sheet.
 * 7) On top of the sheet record course, lecturer, and date.
 * 8) Begin taking notes immediately.
 * 9) Write in short, telegraphic sentences.
 * 10) Make notes complete for later understanding.
 * 11) Strive to detect main headings.
 * 12) Capture ideas as well as facts.
 * 13) Skip lines; leave space between main ideas.
 * 14) Discover the organizational patterns.
 * 15) If the lecture is too fast, capture fragments or ask for repeat.
 * 16) Leave blank spaces for words to fill in later.
 * 17) Develop your own abbreviations and symbols.
 * 18) Record lecturer's examples.
 * Note-taking Don'ts**
 * 1) Don't sit near friends that may distract you.
 * 2) Don't wait for something "important."
 * 3) Don't look for facts only.
 * 4) Don't give up if lecturer is too fast.
 * 5) Don't stop to ponder.
 * 6) Don't over-indent.
 * 7) Don't doodle.
 * 8) Don't use spiral-bound notebooks.
 * 9) Don't consider any example too obvious--copy it.
 * 10) Avoid using Roman numerals.
 * 11) Avoid too many abbreviations.
 * Tips on what to include in your notes**
 * 1) Details, facts, or explanations that expand or explain the main points that are mentioned
 * 2) Definitions, word for word, especially if your professor repeats them several times
 * 3) Enumeration or lists of things that are discussed
 * 4) Examples. You don't need to note all of the details for each example, but you do need to know which general topic each example relates
 * 5) Anything that is written on the chalkboard or on a transparency (on an overhead projector)
 * 6) Anything that is repeated or spelled out.-drawings, charts, or problems that are written on the board
 * After Note-taking**
 * 1) Spend 3-5 minutes at the end of class reviewing main ideas
 * 2) Do a major review of notes as soon as possible within twenty-four hours
 * 3) Compare your notes with your friends' notes