Unlocking Academic Success with the AVID Program: A Guide to the Five Phases of Note-Taking

Katrina Halloran, Virginia Beach Middle School

Devan Smith, Bayside High School

October 2024

Student Produced Notes from Mrs. Pirtle's Geometry Class

Why Take Notes At All?

In today’s fast-paced, information-heavy academic world, the ability to process and retain knowledge is crucial for success. One program that has been making a significant impact in the education system for decades is the AVID program (Advancement Via Individual Determination). AVID is an educational framework that focuses on helping students develop the skills they need to be successful in college and beyond. One of the core tools emphasized by AVID is effective note-taking.

Good notes are essential not just for review but for deeper comprehension and long-term learning. AVID breaks down the note-taking process into five distinct phases that transform students into active learners rather than passive information receivers. Here’s a closer look at what these phases entail and how they can help students excel academically.

The Five Phases of Focused Note-Taking

AVID’s note-taking process is more than just writing down what’s said in class. It encourages students to engage deeply with the material, ensuring that the notes become a dynamic study tool rather than a static record. The five phases of note-taking are:

Taking Notes: Collecting Information
Processing Notes: Making Meaning
Connecting Thinking: Reflecting on Learning
Summarizing and Reflecting: Reviewing the Content
Applying Learning: Using Notes as a Tool

See below for a detailed description of each phase!

1. Taking Notes: Collecting Information

The first phase of note-taking focuses on gathering and organizing information. During this stage, students actively listen, read, and observe, taking notes on key points, essential vocabulary, and critical concepts. The goal is not to transcribe everything but to capture the most important pieces of information.

This phase typically takes place during lectures, reading assignments, or class discussions. Students are encouraged to use abbreviations, bullet points, and symbols to make their notes more concise and organized.

Need a template for notes? Use this one!

2. Processing Notes: Making Meaning

Once students have captured the information, they move on to processing their notes. This step involves revisiting the notes soon after taking them and doing a first pass of review to clarify concepts, underline key terms, and highlight important points. Students might reorganize the notes or fill in gaps to ensure their understanding of the material.

During this phase, AVID suggests that students ask questions and connect ideas, transforming their notes from mere information into a meaningful tool for learning. Try using the 10-2-2 model to help students process while they are taking notes.

Try this!

From AVID Open Access: 10–2–2 MODEL

“In this model, students take notes for 10 minutes. They then spend 2 minutes collaboratively processing notes (if they do not have access to a learning partner, this can still be done individually). Once they have discussed their notes with someone else, they process them individually for 2 minutes. This process is then repeated after each 10 minutes of new content. During remote learning, this process could be facilitated through posted materials interspersed with discussion boards, digital notebook or eBinder tasks, or a submitted digital assignment.

10 minutes of note-taking
2 minutes of collaborative processing
2 minutes of individual processing”

3. Connecting Thinking: Reflecting on Learning

In the third phase, students deepen their understanding by reflecting on the content of their notes. This phase encourages higher-level thinking, as students engage with their notes by asking critical questions such as:

- Why is this important?

- How does this concept relate to what I’ve learned before?

- What are the implications of this information?

This reflection promotes a deeper comprehension of the material and encourages students to think critically about what they’ve learned, fostering connections between ideas.

4. Summarizing and Reflecting: Reviewing the Content

Summarizing is a key element of AVID’s note-taking approach. After reflecting on their notes, students are prompted to write a summary that encapsulates the main ideas, key concepts, and overarching themes of the material. This phase not only reinforces comprehension but also serves as a quick reference for later study sessions.

Reflection goes a step further than just summarizing. It requires students to think about how the notes and the material they’ve learned apply to their larger academic goals and future ambitions. This helps them personalize the learning experience, making the information more meaningful and memorable.

5. Applying Learning: Using Notes as a Tool

The final phase of focused note-taking is about applying the notes in different academic situations, such as test preparation, study groups, or homework. AVID promotes frequent review and interaction with the notes, ensuring that they remain a living document, constantly updated with new insights or connections.

By applying their notes to real-world scenarios—whether it’s using them to answer questions or preparing for exams—students solidify their understanding and make the information their own.

Why AVID’s Note-Taking Strategy Works

The AVID program's approach to note-taking encourages students to go beyond passive listening. By moving through the five phases of note-taking, students engage actively with the material. This method helps students internalize concepts, make connections between ideas, and use their notes as a powerful tool for learning.

Some key benefits of AVID’s note-taking strategy include:

Improved retention: By revisiting, reflecting, and summarizing notes, students are better able to retain and recall information.
Deeper understanding: The focus on critical thinking and making connections ensures students are not just memorizing facts but truly understanding the material.
Effective study habits: AVID’s structured approach encourages regular review, reducing the stress of last-minute cramming.

Conclusion

In today’s education landscape, the ability to take and use notes effectively is a vital skill that can make or break a student’s academic success. The AVID program’s five-phase note-taking strategy transforms note-taking from a passive activity into an active, reflective, and dynamic part of the learning process. By following these phases, students not only improve their grades but also develop skills that will serve them well beyond the classroom.

Whether you’re a student or an educator, incorporating AVID’s five-phase note-taking system into your learning process can be a game-changer for academic achievement and lifelong learning.

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