Note Taking

Taking good notes is one of several keys to academic success. There are several reasons why developing an effective technique of note taking is important. Many students have NEVER been taught HOW to take notes. Some students just try to write down everything their teacher says. Some students take a picture of the notes on the board. Neither of those techniques are particularly effective. You can’t possibly copy down everything the teacher says and a picture does not help you retain or learn the information. It simply means you know how to access your iPad or phone’s camera app and you can push a button. Note-taking is a form of learning. The act of taking notes helps you to actually learn the material. Note-taking helps you to slow down and process the information in a number of different ways. Some students like to take notes on a device (laptop or tablet) and some students prefer to take notes longhand on paper.

Which is better? Let’s find out!

Why you should take notes by hand

There are three main reasons to take notes by hand:

Prevents forgetting - you forget 50 - 70% of what you don’t write down.
Encourages concentration - in order to take notes you must be focused and actively trying to summarize and recap the information.
Records testable material - teachers will test you on the material they have given you throughout a unit. If you don’t take notes, how will you be able to study?

Now that you know why taking notes by hand is more effective, let's examine three types of note-taking:

Cornell
Mind Mapping
Visual/Sketchnotes

The Cornell Note-Taking Method

Note-taking Templates.pdf

Templates for the 3 Note-taking Methods

Print the templates to practice or draw the template your notebook to practice.

Click on the small square in the top right hand corner to expand the PDF and print and write your responses, or copy the questions and write your responses in your notebook.

Practice your Cornell Note-Taking Method on one of the two videos listed below. Use the template provided to the left.

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Annotated Diagram of the Cornell Note-taking Method for your review.

Mind Mapping Note-Taking Technique

Mind Mapping Teaching Strategy #3

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Mind Mapping Article

Scroll down in the article until you find the image shown above.

Correct Mind Mapping Technique

Mind Map - A Fantastic Way for

Note-taking

Simple, to the point, article

Practice your Mind Mapping Note-Taking Method on one of the two videos listed below. Use the template provided above.

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Sketchnoting Note-Taking Method

Sketchnoting

Sketchnoting is just like doodling! If you can doodle, you can sketchnote! It has been noted through many articles that when you process information with visuals and short phrases, they are more apt to remember the information longer. It also helps to make studying easier too.