Research as Inquiry

Don’t confuse note taking with learning

Recognize and accept that note taking is a way of gathering information necessary for learning

---

Prepare Yourself

Make sure that you’ve done all the reading and outside assignments before you come to class. That way the lecture will hold no surprises and you can spend more time critically listening during the lecture instead of simply recording everything that’s said.

---

Establish a note taking goal before class

Determine what kind of information you need. For example, if your syllabus says the topic for the days is “the factors leading to the uprising,” your goal will be to look, listen, and gather carefully any information about those factors.

---

Look for verbal and nonverbal clues as to what information the instructor perceives as important, then gather it

If the instructor writes the information on the board, repeats it, leans or moves forward toward the class, raises their voice, asks if there are any questions about it – PUT IT IN YOUR NOTES with a note to yourself that it is important.

---

Develop your own shorthand system

Use your own abbreviations and shortcuts to help you better keep up with the pace of the lecture. This will also help you understand your notes better when you review your notes.

---

Use a dual-column note taking system

Sometimes called the Cornell system, this can be useful in helping organize your notes and prepare for exam reviews.

---

Keep it neat

Write on one side of the paper. Use loose-leaf rather than spiral bound notebooks. Rewrite your notes for legibility after class. Work on your penmanship.

---

Review

Within 24 hours of the lecture, review your notes, cleaning up any messy handwriting, unclear areas, and note possible test questions. This step is invaluable in preparing for exams. Use your notes as a starting point for learning.

The Cornell Method

The Cornell method provides a systematic format for condensing and organizing notes without laborious recopying. After writing the notes in the main space, use the left-hand space to label each idea and detail with a key word or "cue."

Method

Rule your paper with a 2 ½ inch margin on the left leaving a six-inch area on the right in which to make notes. During class, take down information in the six-inch area. When the instructor moves to a new point, skip a few lines. After class, complete phrases and sentences as much as possible. For every significant bit of information, write a cue in the left margin. To review, cover your notes with a card, leaving the cues exposed. Say the cue out loud, then say as much as you can of the material underneath the card. When you have said as much as you can, move the card and see if what you said matches what is written. If you can say it, you know it.

Advantages

Organized and systematic for recording and reviewing notes. Easy format for pulling out major concept and ideas. Simple and efficient. Saves time and effort. "Do-it-right-in-the-first-place" system.

Disadvantages

None

When to Use

In any lecture situation.

*Information from California Polytechnic State University Academic Skills Center

The Outlining Method

Dash or indented outlining is usually best except for some science classes such as physics or math.

1. The information which is most general begins at the left with each more specific group of facts indented with spaces to the right.
2. The relationships between the different parts is carried out through indenting.
3. No numbers, letters, or Roman numerals are needed.

Method

Listening and then write in points in an organized pattern based on space indention. Place major points farthest to the left. Indent each more specific point to the right. Levels of importance will be indicated by distance away from the major point. Indention can be as simple as or as complex as labeling the indentations with Roman numerals or decimals. Markings are not necessary as space relationships will indicate the major/minor points.

Advantages

Well-organized system if done right. Outlining records content as well as relationships. It also reduces editing and is easy to review by turning main points into questions.

Disadvantages

Requires more thought in class for accurate organization. This system may not show relationships by sequence when needed. It doesn't lend to diversity of a review attach for maximum learning and question application. This system cannot be used if the lecture is too fast.

When to Use

The outline format can be used if the lecture is presented in outline organization. This may be either deductive (regular outline) or inductive (reverse outline where minor points start building to a major point). Use this format when there is enough time in the lecture to think about and make organization decisions when they are needed. This format can be most effective when your note taking skills are super sharp and you can handle the outlining regardless of the note taking situation.

Example:

*Information from California Polytechnic State University Academic Skills Center

The Mapping Method

Mapping is a method that uses comprehension/concentration skills and evolves in a note taking form which relates each fact or idea to every other fact or idea. Mapping is a graphic representation of the content of a lecture. It is a method that maximizes active participation, affords immediate knowledge as to its understanding, and emphasizes critical thinking.

Advantages

This format helps you to visually track your lecture regardless of conditions. Little thinking is needed and relationships can easily be seen. It is also easy to edit your notes by adding numbers, marks, and color coding. Review will call for you to restructure thought processes which will force you to check understanding. Review by covering lines for memory drill and relationships. Main points can be written on flash or note cards and pieced together into a table or larger structure at a later date.

Disadvantages

You may not hear changes in content from major points to facts.

When to Use

Use when the lecture content is heavy and well-organized. May also be used effectively when you have a guest lecturer and have no idea how the lecture is going to be presented.

Example:

*Information from California Polytechnic State University Academic Skills Center

The Sentence Method

Method

Write every new thought, fact or topic on a separate line, numbering as you progress.

Advantages

Slightly more organized than the paragraph. Gets more or all of the information. Thinking to tract content is still limited.

Disadvantages

Can't determine major/minor points from the numbered sequence. Difficult to edit without having to rewrite by clustering points which are related. Difficult to review unless editing cleans up relationship.

When to Use

Use when the lecture is somewhat organized, but heavy with content which comes fast. You can hear the different points, but you don't know how they fit together. The instructor tends to present in point fashion, but not in grouping such as "three related points."

Three Examples:

*Information from California Polytechnic State University Academic Skills Center

The Charting Method

If the lecture format is distinct (such as chronological), you may set up your paper by drawing columns and labeling appropriate headings in a table.

Method

Determine the categories to be covered in the lecture. Set up your paper in advance by columns headed by these categories. As you listen to the lecture, record information (words, phrases, main ideas, etc.) into the appropriate category.

Advantages

Helps you track conversation and dialogues where you would normally be confused and lose out on relevant content. Reduces amount of writing necessary. Provides easy review mechanism for both memorization of facts and study of comparisons and relationships.

Disadvantages

Few disadvantages except learning how to use the system and locating the appropriate categories. You must be able to understand what's happening in the lecture

When to Use

Test will focus on both facts and relationships. Content is heavy and presented fast. You want to reduce the amount of time you spend editing and reviewing at test time. You want to get an overview of the whole course on one big paper sequence.

Example:

*Information from California Polytechnic State University Academic Skills Center