UCD Access & Lifelong Learning Note Taking UCD Access & Lifelong Learning

Outline for today Preparing for the Lecture Making the most of your notes Revisiting Your Notes Trying the Cornell Method of Note-Taking

Four Purposes For Note Taking Effective note-taking is not recording or transcribing. Provides a written record for review Forces you to pay attention Requires organisation, which involves active effort on your part You must condense and rephrase, which aids understanding

Preparation for Lectures and Classes Module Specific Organisation Get to know your module codes as well as names Separate Folders/Notebooks Keep all handouts together

Preparation for Lectures and Classes Try using a specific colour for each of your 6 modules Make sure you have all necessary equipment – pens, paper, calculator, recording device, laptop, highlighters etc.

Preparing for the Lecture Complete notes before the day’s lecture.  Lecturers can post readings or notes before class. If you do the assigned reading before class, you’ll already know many of the background details. Then you can focus your note-taking on key concepts.

Preparing for the Lecture Read through your notes from the last lecture. This will help you get back up to speed on where you last left off in the class.

Check for online course materials and lecture outlines Think of them as the frame for a house, which you will then complete and furnish with your note-taking. Don’t just print off the lectures – use the handouts to structure your notes.

To write or to type? Putting pen to paper prompts you to engage more Writing things down by hand can help you achieve greater focus. Typing can lead you to transcribe But using a laptop can allow you format, save, edit, share, and read notes

Sit near the front of the room … you will have fewer distractions. You will be able to pay attention and take better notes. Find a spot where you can see and hear the lecturer clearly. Show up to class a little early to get a good seat

Supplies Two pens - Ink easier to read than pencil. Carry a spare Wide-lined paper Class date, and topic clearly labeled Number the pages as you go

Before each lecture or class… Arrive Early Sit at the front Read last week’s notes Put the date and module name/code at the top of your page

Making the most of your notes Do Recommended Reading Review previous week Ask questions if you don’t understand something! Effective note-taking is not recording or transcribing.

How to Take Notes What works for you? Personal Memorable

Catch the introduction Lectures often begin with a preview – Do not miss the opening act!

Copy down the outline if there is one Each lecture follows an outline or structure. This is the key – it will help you structure your notes

Follow the cues … Your lecturer will give signals or cues to highlight the important material. They may pause, gesture, count out - Signals which indicate an important or new idea include: The significance of this is … The impact is … These are the reasons why From this we can see…

Trigger Words To sum up The main points are In conclusion To review This is important Remember that Keep in mind Exam Essay Assignment Assessment

Develop your own shorthand Use abbreviations Only record the key words, phrases Paraphrase what you are hearing Circle, underline or emphasise key points you want to go back to Doodle, draw or map out the key messages

Write legibly and leave space Make sure you can read your own writing And leave space so that you can go back and write in the missing pieces

Finish with a flourish Pay attention at the end – there may be a summary This summary may help you go back over your notes and fill in the gaps And then you can ask a question if you need to? Or ask after class.

Cognitive Processing (thinking) Reshaping (your own words/style) Revisiting your notes Revisit your notes as soon as possible – at least within 24 hours Original Information Cognitive Processing (thinking) Reshaping (your own words/style) Learning

Revise – just don’t rewrite In-class notes are your draft – now revise them. In classes and lectures When reading When doing research Planning an essay or assignment Working on a problem

Highlight what is important in your notes

Cornell Note Taking Two-Column Method (Cornell Method) Take notes in two columns First column for topic or question Second column for description or answers

Cornell Method - Simple

Cornell - advanced

Cornell – 5 steps Write down main points. Record Write down main points. Questions After class write questions based on the notes in the right hand column. These questions should be placed in the cue column (left). Recite Covering the right column, test yourself using the questions in the cue column. Reflect Ask reflective questions e.g. “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know?” Review Spend some time each week reviewing all of your notes for the week. Check your understanding and the clarity of your notes.

Use Apps to Organize Your Notes Onenote Evernote Web App Web App

Colour, Images, Key Words/Phrases Mind-Mapping Mind Mapping Visual Learning Seeing Connections Creativity Memory Colour, Images, Key Words/Phrases Summarising Ideas Organising Ideas

Mind Maps for Essay Writing

Use Coggle on the Web See Coggle in Action - Click on the Mindmap

Mindmeister Available on the Web And on Your Smartphone Web App

Notetaking Apps Cogi Notability Web App Web App

Recording classes Recording your classes – permission! Recording group discussion – think about the privacy of your peers Bookmark your recordings so you can listen back to specific sections Listen back to fill in your written/typed notes

Your Voice or Computerised Voice Audio Notes Structure Key points, definitions etc. Your Voice or Computerised Voice Choose a voice you could listen to for an extended period of time. Listen Back Listen back regularly using spare time on buses, trains etc.

To summarise Don’t transcribe Get organised before class and during lecture File your notes as soon as possible Spend time reviewing your notes after class – minimum 10 minutes Reprocess the information – create mind maps, cue cards, audio notes etc. Often less is more!

Ask yourself questions: And finally … What is the main point? How does this relate to other classes? Do I understand this clearly? Ask yourself questions: