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Chapter 1: Learning Preferences and Strategies
How do you know what is important to record in your notes? You can begin by reviewing the assignment before class. Complete any pre-class activities such as reading relevant text or watching videos, and begin noting any content that is unclear. During lecture, watch and listen to the instructor. Often, main ideas are included in introductory remarks. There may be gestures, facial expressions, verbal emphasis, or even long pauses indicating important points. If the instruc- tor is repeating information, it should probably be included in your notes. The instructor usually ends each lecture with a summary that may alert you that you’ve missed something that you’ll need to follow up on. Always review and edit your notes while the information is still fresh in your mind to ensure you’ve clearly captured the important data. Make sure you understand the concepts in your notes and ask questions to fill in any gaps. If you are taking notes from a recorded lecture, rewind! At times you’ll find it will be best to rewrite your notes to understand them better. That’s okay! The act of writing and rewriting helps to move information into long term memory. There are a variety of ways to take effective notes, four of which are described here. Most important, use your notes to study! There’s little value in writing great notes if you never look at them again. Outline. Linear, vertical notes that record the main topic on the far-left side of the page with subtopics indented to the right underneath. Be sure to skip lines between main topics. You will need room for additional information that may be provided later in the lecture. You may also use these spaces for questions to follow up on or for memory aids such as drawings. Cornell Notes: A page is divided into three sections: a large, vertical column on the right (70% of page width), leaving a narrower vertical column on the left, and a short horizontal row on the bottom (Figure 1-8). Only the right column is used during lecture. Notes should be entered there in the out- line format just described. After lecture, review your notes and use the left
Subject: REDUCED NOTES
Date:
LECTURE NOTES During Lecture
After Lecture
SUMMARY After Lecture
FIGURE 1-8 The Cornell Notes system divides the notes page into three sections.
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