“It is appropriate for the teacher to provide students with a complete set of notes on a topic.” Strongly agree Agree Disagree Strongly disagree WHY???? Have teachers support their answers. 1

Students must be engaged in the act of synthesizing information. Verbatim note taking is, perhaps , the least effective way to take notes. Students must be engaged in the act of synthesizing information. Trying to record everything takes up too much of a student’s working memory.

Notes should be considered a work in progress. Students should continually add and revise their notes. Teachers should provide time for students to review their notes and make changes. It is important to encourage students to constantly return to their notes to make revisions and/or additions. For example, making notations which will help the student to recall the information laid out in the notes. 4

Notes should be used as study guides for tests. Well-designed notes that have been continually revised can be a powerful study guide.

The more notes that are taken, the better. Does this contradict Generaliztion 1? More notes does not imply verbatim notes. The synthesized notes should be continually revised in order to include new information or to clarify previous information. 6

Give students teacher prepared notes. Properties for simplifying expressions with exponents. Multiplying (a2)(a3) = a5 Graphic Examples Questions An example of teacher prepared notes. Examples may be included in the prepared notes or taken down in class during the lesson (or a combination). 7

Teach students a variety of note-taking formats. Informal Outline Web Combination Notes

Carries food and oxygen Carries waste from cells Circulatory System 3 Functions Carries food and oxygen Carries waste from cells Protects body from disease 9

Notes Graphic (Examples) Summary This approach seems particularly useful for math and other classes where processes must be learned. 11

What changes might you make in your classroom related to note taking? 12