Learning How to Sketchnote

We watched an introductory video about argument and persuasion, and I sketched with them - on the easel, to give them an idea and something to help them think.  Once the concept was introduced, there was no stopping them!  As we went into class discussion and watched video examples, the sketching continued.  

I have one student - we all have that one student - I feel that I can never reach him.  I've tried so many routes, always looking to try to make connections, find a way through to him, but I never quite make it there.  Sometimes I feel as if there is a breakthrough, but then the next day happens.  He doesn't participate. He makes holes in his Bin Book (our student notebook).  He never takes notes unless I am sitting right next to him.  I can't say I blame him at times, after all - he's 11, his main goal in life is NOT to write down the rules to pronouns or the language of persuasion.

Bless him.

But sketchnotes?  He took notes!  He wrote it all down.  He had ethos, pathos, logos - he even had explanations and examples. He was as pleased with himself as I was with him!  It wasn't just him either - there are several students who struggle to record the message of the day, but this focused them, gave them a goal to record the important message.  Putting the note taking into their hands, validating their ability to choose what was important, trusting them to record what mattered...all this led to active thinking about the content, concentration as new information was shared, and even pride in their work!  Even better, the next day the students ASKED whether they could take notes ("Why yes, yes you may!"), and the notetaking continued.

And here's the thing - they really were taking notes.  They were writing more than I would have expected with enforced notes, but weren't realizing it.  

I am a strong believer that note taking helps your learning.  Writing imprints information into the brain.  But it's painful.  It's time consuming.  We try to cut corners by having 'fill-in-the-blank' notes - but really, what are they learning there?  To me, that negates the use of note taking and now becomes just an act of school.  Unengaging, forced, guaranteed to squash any joy of learning.  

So, open the door to sketchnoting.  Could this truly be a way for students to learn to take notes, to actively be involved with choosing what was important to record and remember?  I'm certainly going to find out!  

A variety of ways to learn is vital.  Our current unit is all about argument and persuasion.  They have sketchnoted, created their own notes digitally through discovery, and taken some traditional notes through a flipped learning activity (although I gave full permission to sketchnote to those who asked).  So far I am seeing the power of the sketchnote balanced with the power of variety.  I like it!  

Let the Learning Continue!