Note Taking Skills By RA Routsong Adapted from CCSD In-service Materials

Objectives – The Student Will Be Able to: n Explain the importance of note taking. n List a minimum of four important listening skills. n List at least two Note Taking Strategies. n Use the Cornell Two Column system.

Why Take Notes? n By becoming an active learner you become involved in the learning process. Within 2 Weeks you forget 80% of what you hear. Within 4 Weeks you remember only 5% of what you hear. 1A

Why Take Notes? n FORGETTING is massive and instantaneous. n FORGETTING wipes out information like a tornado. n NOTE TAKING provides disaster relief. 1B

Listening Skills é “SET” your mind -- intend to listen. é Listen to WHAT is being said -- don’t allow your mind to wander. é Clarify continually (to yourself) what is being said. é Keep your mind active -- take notes. 2A

Listening Skills é Resist distractions (physical, emotional, mental). é Involve yourself -- think of examples as the speaker talks. é Listen very closely to introductory and concluding remarks/ideas. 2B

Listening Skills é Anticipate what is coming next (this is the most difficult yet the most effective for your memory). é Pay attention to “speaker cues” (voice, physical motions, rate of speech). é Think of questions while listening (helps to organize thoughts.) 2C

Listening Skills é Constantly try to link concepts and main ideas with details as well as cause/effect and problem-solving techniques. 2D

Listening Skills é Listen to class discussions carefully and make note of any points the speaker reinforces. é Note any material that is repeated. é Always summarize the information. 2E

Many Different Methods of Taking Notes! 3A

Cornell/Two Column Note Taking Strategy è Head a sheet of paper with your name, the date, period and subject. è Write the topic or title of the selection or lecture. 3A

Cornell/Two Column Note Taking Strategy è Fold the paper lengthwise, one-third on the left and two-thirds on the right, creasing the fold. è Draw a line along the crease on the labeled side of the paper. 3B

Cornell/Two Column Note Taking Strategy è Read the text or listen to the lecture. The learner must decide which column to begin with, depending on the situation. èMain ideas, key vocabulary, topics, or questions should be written in the left column. èDetails, definitions, descriptions or answers should be written in the right column. 3C

Cornell/Two Column Note Taking Strategy 4 è Write on one side of the paper only. è Use as a study guide, by folding the left hand column back against the blank side of the paper. è Quiz yourself by asking questions based upon what is in the left column. 3D

Summation n You quickly forget what you hear. n By taking notes you ensure that you will have the information available. n Note taking is like disaster relief to the tornado victim!

Summation n If you DIDN’T take notes – –After 4 weeks, 5% Of the Information you heard is all that remains in your memory!!! n If you DID take notes – –After 4, 5, or for many weeks, the information is still available to you! –By studying your notes you will greatly increase the amount of information available for your use stored in your memory.

Summation n There are several listening skills that you need to practice. –“SET” your mind. –Listen to WHAT is being said. –Keep your mind active – Take Notes! –Resist distractions. –Involve yourself. –Listen very closely to introductory and concluding remarks/ideas.

Summation n There are many great ways to take notes. n If you are more artistic and/or visual, then drawings may be your best method of recording what was being said. n If you are more visual and/or auditory, then words may be your best method of recording your notes.

Summation n It does not matter what method you use, as long as you

Summation n The Cornell two-column system: –Paper is folded lengthwise with 1/3 and 2/3 sections. –The Left 1/3 section is for main ideas. –The Right 2/3 section is for supporting data for each main idea. n This system is the preferred system for this class.

è The End REVENGE