Assignment: NOTE TAKING

Study Skills 101
2022-07-18T21:05:03Z

Due: Aug 1, 2022 by 11:59pm

Note-taking is often overlooked as an academic note-taking process helps you identify important material you will need to complete assignments and prepare for tests.

Good note-taking is more than writing down what your teacher says; it requires an active approach to lectures and class preparation. Good note-takers must be good listeners, pay close attention in class and evaluate the material presented to determine what should be recorded.

Knowing What to Write

Sometimes it is hard to know what to write down. It is a good idea to record what your teacher says if they:

Say it is important.

Write it on the board.

Repeats it.

Breaks it into steps.

Give contrasts or pros and cons.

Change vocal tone or volume. This may indicate excitement, and this information often ends up on tests.

Some phrases that signal the information is essential are:

Introductory words, giving a basic outline of what the day's lecture will cover: "Today we will discuss...", "After today you will be able to...."

Qualifying words, noting exceptions to rules, and clarifying information: "However...", "Nevertheless...", "Still..."

Cause and effect words, showing relationships between ideas and events: "therefore...", "as a result...", "if...then."

Contrast words also show relationships between ideas and events: "on the other hand...", "in contrast...", "by comparison..."

Repeat words, rephrasing and clarifying information: "in other words...", "this simply means...", "in essence..."

Test clues: "This is important...", "remember this...", "you'll see this again..."

Summary words: "in a nutshell...", "to sum up...", "in conclusion..."

Example words, explaining and clarifying information: "to illustrate...", "for example...", "for instance..."

When Instructors Talk Too Fast

Teachers who talk too fast make taking notes more difficult - but not impossible. The following tips will make it a little easier:

Read the assigned material and previous notes before class

Share notes with a classmate or form a study group.

Leave space in your notes so you can add information later.

Develop a "lost" signal for your notes, so you can move on to the following information and figure out what you missed after class.

Talk to your instructor after class if you are confused about something.

Use a tape recorder (ask your teacher first). Listen again later.

Use abbreviations. Try symbols. Make up your own.

Note Taking Styles

There are many different styles of taking notes; it's up to you to choose which works best for you. Here are a few examples - formal outline, information outline, paragraph style, and Cornell. No matter what your notes look like, the number one technique for retaining information from your notes is to review them regularly.

Click on the links below and watch the following videos.

How to Take Note in Class: The 5 Best Methods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AffuwyJZTQQ&ab_channel=ThomasFrank

Taking Notes: Crash Course Study Skills #1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7CwqNHn_Ns&ab_channel=CrashCourse

Please go to the discussion board and respond to the following prompt: "What note-taking system do you prefer? Why? After going over all these different types, is there one you would like to try? Why or why not"

You Can Access The Discussion Board Here

You Can Access The Associated Rubric Here

References:

Frank, T. (2014). How to Take Notes in Class: The 5 Best Methods - College Info Geek. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AffuwyJZTQQ

Langan, J. (1989). Reading and study skills (pp. 133–152). Mcgraw-Hill. (Original work published 1978)

CrashCourse. (2017). Taking Notes: Crash Course Study Skills #1. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7CwqNHn_Ns

Western Washington University Tutoring Center. (2010). Academic Success (pp. 7–12). Western Washington University. https://westerntoday.wwu.edu/news/tutoring-center-support-for-students-now-online

Note-taking is often overlooked as an academic note-taking process helps you identify important material you will need to complete assignments and prepare for tests.

Good note-taking is more than writing down what your teacher says; it requires an active approach to lectures and class preparation. Good note-takers must be good listeners, pay close attention in class and evaluate the material presented to determine what should be recorded.

Knowing What to Write

Sometimes it is hard to know what to write down. It is a good idea to record what your teacher says if they:

Say it is important.

Write it on the board.

Repeats it.

Breaks it into steps.

Give contrasts or pros and cons.

Change vocal tone or volume. This may indicate excitement, and this information often ends up on tests.

Some phrases that signal the information is essential are:

Introductory words, giving a basic outline of what the day's lecture will cover: "Today we will discuss...", "After today you will be able to...."

Qualifying words, noting exceptions to rules, and clarifying information: "However...", "Nevertheless...", "Still..."

Cause and effect words, showing relationships between ideas and events: "therefore...", "as a result...", "if...then."

Contrast words also show relationships between ideas and events: "on the other hand...", "in contrast...", "by comparison..."

Repeat words, rephrasing and clarifying information: "in other words...", "this simply means...", "in essence..."

Test clues: "This is important...", "remember this...", "you'll see this again..."

Summary words: "in a nutshell...", "to sum up...", "in conclusion..."

Example words, explaining and clarifying information: "to illustrate...", "for example...", "for instance..."

When Instructors Talk Too Fast

Teachers who talk too fast make taking notes more difficult - but not impossible. The following tips will make it a little easier:

Read the assigned material and previous notes before class

Share notes with a classmate or form a study group.

Leave space in your notes so you can add information later.

Develop a "lost" signal for your notes, so you can move on to the following information and figure out what you missed after class.

Talk to your instructor after class if you are confused about something.

Use a tape recorder (ask your teacher first). Listen again later.

Use abbreviations. Try symbols. Make up your own.

Note Taking Styles

There are many different styles of taking notes; it's up to you to choose which works best for you. Here are a few examples - formal outline, information outline, paragraph style, and Cornell. No matter what your notes look like, the number one technique for retaining information from your notes is to review them regularly.

Click on the links below and watch the following videos.

How to Take Note in Class: The 5 Best Methods

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AffuwyJZTQQ&ab_channel=ThomasFrank

Taking Notes: Crash Course Study Skills #1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7CwqNHn_Ns&ab_channel=CrashCourse

Please go to the discussion board and respond to the following prompt: "What note-taking system do you prefer? Why? After going over all these different types, is there one you would like to try? Why or why not"

You Can Access The Discussion Board Here

You Can Access The Associated Rubric Here

References:

Frank, T. (2014). How to Take Notes in Class: The 5 Best Methods - College Info Geek. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AffuwyJZTQQ

Langan, J. (1989). Reading and study skills (pp. 133–152). Mcgraw-Hill. (Original work published 1978)

CrashCourse. (2017). Taking Notes: Crash Course Study Skills #1. In YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7CwqNHn_Ns

Western Washington University Tutoring Center. (2010). Academic Success (pp. 7–12). Western Washington University. https://westerntoday.wwu.edu/news/tutoring-center-support-for-students-now-online