1. Effective Reading and Note Taking
Dr. Sherwan Rahman Sulaiman
MD MSc PhD
College of Medicine
Hawler Medical University
Learn active, deep processing strategies
Explore the different purposes for study tasks
Learn about active reading and note making strategies
Practise using learning strategies
Study skills for college – remembering what worked for you in school or work but then being
Aware of the differences in college and making adjustments.
Today we’ll focus on reading and notetaking but we’ll touch on other areas too.

2. Learning Outcome Learn active, deep processing strategies
Explore the different purposes for study tasks
Learn about active reading and note making strategies
Practise using learning strategies

3. Active studying means
Working with the material to try to build understanding
Find a way process the information in a deep and meaningful way
Make your study more alive.

4. How? Have a framework PSR Think about the purpose of the study task
Consider the best way to approach it
Reflect and review
PSR
Purpose – why?
Strategy – how?
Review – check!

5. Discussion (5 mins) How do you study (reading/notes) ?
How do you take read?
How do you take notes?
There are other ways to revise, ask friends, tutors etc. what they do.

6. Get reading – actively! Purpose Strategies to suit: Review Scanning
SQ3R
Note making
Review

7. Electrical Oscillation
15 Seconds
15 Minutes
Forever
Memory
Consolidation In
Your
Brain
Electrical Oscillation
Biochemical Reaction
Protein

8. Ebbinghaus Forgetting Curve
Schedule Time for Reviews

9. Get Thinking - Reading Asking questions
What is the point of view of author?
Evaluate evidence
Forming opinions
Overview
Summarise main points
Understanding
Get the gist of the topic
Gather supporting evidence
Critique or evaluate
enjoyment

10. Being Selective Ask lectures/tutors what is most relevant
Be alert for hints and clues
Ask fellow students
Ask students in years ahead
Share reading
Preview or skim before in-depth reading

12. Taking Notes

13. Notes Your Summary Notes Review Notes Source Exams Or Essays
Create summary sheets by topic, main idea or concept.
Use diagramming, charting, outlining, mind maps, writing or tables.

14. Types of Notes Prose or summary Outline or skeleton
Mind or concept maps
Cornell or 2 Column
How do you take notes?

15. WHY TAKE NOTES? Taking notes helps students to concentrate in class.
Taking notes develops a sense of listening, allowing the reader to recognize main ideas.
Makes student an active part of the learning process rather than a passive listener.
Helps prepare for the exams, quizzes.

16. WHY TAKE NOTES?
Notes often contain info that generally cannot be found else where (i.e textbooks).
Notes are often a valuable clue for what instructor thinks is important.
Taking notes in class means that you are working the information and processing in every day

17. TAKING NOTES IN CLASS Before the lecture begins:
Arrive to class on time.
Sit as near to the front of the room as possible to eliminate distractions.
Be sure to have read assigned readings before coming to class.
Make a list of questions from the readings to ask the professor in class.
Review your notes from previous lecture.

18. TAKING NOTES IN CLASS During the lecture:
Have your paper & pencil or pen ready.
Attend all of every class.
Copy everything that instructor writes on the board, especially the outline.
Be an active listener and pay attention to instructor’s verbal cues. His choice of words might indicate the importance of the information. For example.., most importantly.., the result is.., finally etc.
Use your own words in summarizing what instructor is saying.

19. TAKING NOTES IN CLASS
To write a little faster use abbreviations & symbols to record the information.
W/ with
W/O without
Page
< less than
b/4 before
= equals
% percent
Vs versus
C/o care of

20. TAKING NOTES IN CLASS
Be clear & complete in your notes. Leave a (?) by info that is unclear. Later go back & check with your instructor.
After the lecture:
Revise and/or rewrite the notes as quickly as possible, preferably the same day of the lecture.
Coordinate readings and the lecture notes.
Review notes at least once a week & also review before next lecture.

21. Using a tape recorder
If permitted, tape recorders can be used in class to record the lecture. Unless you have a learning disability, take notes just as you would if the tape recorder were not there. Later, you can listen to the tapes to clarify your notes and help you remember important ideas.

22. NOTE TAKING FOR MATH Write down the title of the lesson.
Write down the math problem & each step in solution using math symbols.
Next to each step write down in your own words exactly what you are doing. (This is easier to do when you are revising your notes).
Ask instructor about the part of the problems you don’t understand.
Do ALL homework problems and not just some of them!

23. Summary

24. Outline

25. Concept Maps

26. Mind Maps

27. ?

28. Taking Notes Write brief notes here as you are reading a book
Keywords or Questions
here
Write brief notes here as
you are reading a book
OR during a lecture
Write a short summary of the page here

29. Taking Notes Types of Matter Solids -have a definite shape
Liquids ?
Types of Matter
Solids
-have a definite shape
-have a defiinte volume
Liquids
-Do not have a shape
- Have a volume
Write a short summary of the page here

31. Thank you for your time
Any Questions?