1. Note-Taking Goals (lectures)
identify the reason for taking notes
summarize effective note-taking habits
identify the action clues of instructors
identify and list verbal clues of instructors
explain how to take notes and learn using the Cornell Method of note-taking
describe how to take notes and learn with other note-taking methods

2. Listening Self-Check

3. Smart Tip We remember: 10% of what we read. 20% of what we hear.
30% of what we see.
50% of what we see and hear.
70% of what we discuss with others.
80% of what we personally experience.
95% of what we teach others.
-- William Glasser, educational reformist

4. Reasons to take notes: improves your concentration
saves you review time
helps you learn more
improves test scores
organizes the information and establishes main ideas
serves as visual reminders of what was said

5. Tools for Note-Taking three-ring binder 8 ½” x 11” lined paper
summary paper – larger than 8 ½” x 11”
plain white paper
erasable pens or dark pencils
tape recorder

6. Effective Note-Taking Habits
pre-view reading before a class or meeting
start each day with a fresh piece of paper
write on only one side of the paper
always date and title every page
write in the shortest form possible
use abbreviations
use key words
use your own words

7. SLANT
Sit up
Lean Forward
Ask Questions
Nod and Smile
Track (follow speaker with eyes)

8. Instructor Personality Clues
they tell you it’s important
they repeat information
they write information on the board or overhead
they change their voice and facial expressions
they pause
they use handouts

9. Instructor Verbal Clues
definitions
description
compare and contrast
chronological order
classification
cause and effect

10. Predicting Test Questions
listen attentively
observe instructor’s behavior
take notes based on instructor’s actions and verbal clues
by paying attention to what the instructor thinks is important
you will be able to predict test questions
know which areas to focus on during your review time

11. Options for Note-taking
Cornell Format
Two column notes
Three column notes
Index cards
Formal outlines
Mind maps

12. Cornell Format
draw a vertical line 2 ½” from the left edge of your paper
the body, or right-hand side of the margin, is where you write the bulk of your notes
the left column is used for information you want to recall and is based on the notes you took on the right side

13. Recall Column used for information you want to recall
potential test questions about the notes
vocabulary terms
restatement
graphic signals

15. Cornell Reduce Step

16. Cornell Recite Step

17. Cornell Reflect & Recite Steps
take time to think about topic, relationships, and importance of the information
line up your recall columns to see an informal outline and overview of the chapter and your notes
write a summary at the bottom of your notes
write on back side of your notes
make lists of information
write study questions
add diagrams
jot down questions for class
make study tools
index cards
visual mapping
charts
mnemonics

18. Two Column Note-taking System
simplified Cornell format
effective for textbook and lecture notes
cover one side
recite
check your accuracy for feedback
effective for:
factual information
discussions
math processes
Recite
Three ways…
Voc. word
Study ?
Formula
Record 1. 2. 3.
Definition
Answer
Example

19. Two Column Note-taking System
(Modified version of Cornell notes)
Left column: terms to define and questions to answer
Right column: notes about the terms and answers to the
questions
Use two-column notes for:
terms and definitions
questions and answers
formula, steps, equations and examples of problem-solving
category of information and list of items in the category
heading for notes and a list of notes
concepts/main ideas and facts, explanation, examples

20. Three Column Note-taking System
identify labels for each column
work with all three columns
cover
recite
check your accuracy
use for:
textbook
lecture
math notes
Topic
Problem
Source 1
Definition
Rework
Steps
Source 2
Example
Solution

21. Three Column Note-taking System
Left column: terms, questions, concepts, or problems
Middle and right column: two kinds of information for the item in the left column
Use three-column notes for:
Math problem + steps to solve + explanation/rule
Topic/concept + textbook information + lecture information
Topic/concept + definition/description + applications/details
Math problem + space to rework + steps to solve
Topic + one source of information + second source
Term/concept + examples + explanations

22. Index Card Note-taking System

23. Index Card Note-taking System
carry your index study cards with you
use cards for quizzing
use them as warm-up activity at beginning of study block
study from the front side of your cards
study from the back side of your cards
sort cards into two piles:
ones you know
ones you need to study further
create reflect activities with your note cards

24. Formal Outline most important ideas are closer to the margin
supporting ideas and details are indented and further away
indenting too much will cause you to run out of space
indicate new details by using numbers and letters or symbols
keeping similar items lined up makes notes easier to read
skipping lines between main ideas gives flexibility to add to or change notes

26. Studying from an Outline
read one line or item at a time; explain by reciting
check for accuracy or completeness
add clue words to the right of lines or items
repeat process of reciting from outline
use the outline to write a summary

27. Mind Mapping organizes ideas through visual patterns
natural associations through clusters or groups
each cluster creates a visual picture which helps with memory
able to see the ‘big picture’, the connections and the relationships

28. Mind or Visual Map

29. Sequential Mind Map

30. Random Mind Map

31. Studying from Mind Maps
imprint or memorize the basic structure (the skeleton) in your visual memory
then, visualize the skeleton of your notes
name the first two levels of information and then recite the details for each heading without looking at the printed form
use reflect activities for elaborative rehearsal
use ongoing review to mentally rehearse, recite, and review your visual notes

32. Note-Taking Goals (reading)
discuss the importance of reading actively
define highlighting and explain the most effective way to use it
distinguish between two types of margin notes and explain how to use them
describe full notes and discuss when to use them

33. Reading Self Check

34. Learning Staircase

35. Reading Actively reduces mind wandering while learning
at the same time
uses some or all of the following:
pre-viewing the chapter
reading key words
reading phrases
reader with a pacer
adjusting reading speed to content

36. Effective Highlighting
read a complete paragraph or section before highlighting anything
never highlight more than a few words or a phrase at a time
decide what is most important
can also be done with bracketing

37. Highlighting Example (bad)

38. Highlighting Example (better)

39. Creating Margin Notes
read a complete paragraph or section before writing anything
decide what is most important
use your own words, key words, and abbreviations

40. Summary-in-the-Margin Notes
A summary is a brief statement or restatement of main points.
a shortened version of what you consider important in the text
write this summary in the margin of the book in the appropriate spot

41. Question-in-the-margin Notes
summarizes the important ideas as questions, similar to what might be found on a test
written in the margin of text
answer to each question is easily found by rereading the text next to the question

42. Studying with Margin Notes
Margin notes force you to:
concentrate on what you are reading
focus on what is really important
reduce your study time when you
review

43. Taking Full Notes top step on active learning staircase
most time consuming
used for technical or difficult material
taking all your notes on paper instead of highlighting the textbook

44. Taking Full Notes (cont’d)
recreate the author’s outline in the recall column on the left side margin
fill in the important details in the body of notes on the right side margin
full notes can also be taken in the form of a mind map using unlined paper