2. The Engineering Notebook

3. Engineers keep notebooks…
To record their thinking.
To record their actions taken.
To record their ideas.
To record their sketches, pictures, and examples of their design processes.
To record ideas they may want to try or change.
To serve as legal documents that support patent and design development claims. The engineer must sign and date every page.

4. Sections of Your Notebook
Notes
Place notes you want to record of your ideas as you brainstorm and as you investigate ideas.
Research
Record your research and what resources you use so that you can revisit when necessary.

5. Sections continued: Sketches Journal Entries Additional Input
Record your sketches and other pictures you may create.
Journal Entries
Record your daily impressions of what you are doing and other information that will help you.
Additional Input
Use this section to include additional items your teacher may request you keep.

6. What you need to do… Be prepared Listen Ask questions
This means bring your notebook and pencil to class.
Listen
You can’t take good notes if you don’t listen to what is being said.
Ask questions
Asking questions might clear up some areas of confusion or help explain topics.

7. Keeping a Notebook Continued:
Be brief
Never try to copy every word that is said. Listen to a group of sentences and write down the main points of importance to help you remember what was said.
Symbols
Using symbols to represent words is a quick method of speeding up your note- taking skills.

8. Keeping a Notebook Continued:
Abbreviate
Using abbreviations can save you time. Instead of writing out each letter of a word, try an abbreviation of the word.
Sketching
“A picture is worth a thousand words.”
Sketches will help you clarify your ideas and help you remember what you want to do.

9. Keeping a Notebook Continued:
Organization
Label each section of your notebook. Be sure you know what is in each section. Label sections or use flags, such as Post-it Flags to mark your place.
Review
Review what you have in your notebook from time to time to help you stay organized and keep accurate records of your work.