Brian Brausch
Taking NotesTaking Notes
Involves 3 major tasks:Effective listeningEffective observationEffective note taking
Effective ListeningEffective Listening
Humans are poor listeners FOCUS Be alert, be aware Active process which
begins before class
Effective Listening: In Class Find a good seat, comfortable Pay attention purposefully Listen for cues Resist distractions Don’t let your mind wander Take notes while you listen Be in the moment Awareness Test
Are you easily distracted?
Arrive at each class prepared Arrive on time Sit near the front Do not doodle Stop daydreaming Look at the teacher
Before Note Taking
Be positive – Attitude is everything Find a style that fits you Read Prepare a list of questions BE PREPARED!!!
BBEEFFOORREE
During Note Taking Important ideas only Listen and Look for cues (In other
words…, Most importantly…) Leave open spaces if you get behind Use abbreviations Record Questions
After Note Taking Verbalize your understanding to
another student Compare with classmates Revise notes as appropriate Review your notes, clarify Rehearse aloud Highlight
AFTER
Note Taking
Many methods, 5 outlined here:The Cornell MethodThe Outline Method The Mapping Method The Charting or PEPPS MethodThe Sentence Method
The Outlining Method Main points on farthest left side,
subsequent points follow indents Example:
Note Taking○ 2 skills needed
Effective listeningEffective note taking
○ 5 methodsCornell Met., Outlining Met., Mapping Met., Outlining
Met., Sentence Met.
The Mapping Method A graphic representation of the lecture content
The Cornell Method Draw a line down the page vertically 2 ½
inches from left hand side Take notes on right side, leave few lines
between each point After class, write cues or questions in left
margin Review and test yourself by covering notes
and leaving cues Saves you having to rewrite your notes to
study for exams
The Charting Method (PEPPS) Good for history lectures Draw columns/ categories and insert
notes as necessary
PERIOD EVENT PLACE PEOPLE SIGNIFICANCE
1939-1945
WWII Europe, West Pacific
Hitler, Tojo FDR, Churchill, Mussolini
Atom Bomb, Cold War, Holocaust
The Sentence Method
Write every new thought on separate line
Thought 2 Thought 3 Thought 4 Thought 5
Phrases are quicker than sentence form
Common Abbreviations w/ - with w/o – without + or & - and ppl.- people @ - at Q - question A – answer ? – I’m lost Ex – example Imp- important -> - leads to Etc – and other things Con’t- continued Gov’t- government
Live Scribe Pen
Reading Reading To To RemembeRememberr
Retaining Information Short term vs. Long term Ability to hold on to information. SQ4R method
SurveyQuestionReadReciteReviewReflect
SQ4R: Step One
Survey and QuestionImprove reading speed and comprehensionSkim or survey chapter (turning subtitles into
questions) 5-minutes or lessWarm up for the brainCreates advanced organizersImproves comprehension and concentration.Questioning is important – keeps you active
and awake
SQ4R: Step 2
Read and ReciteRead a section at a timeTurn subheadings into questions and find the
answersUnderline the main idea (if important)When finished with section, look at subheading
and see if you can recite or re-say the main point.
Important for storing in long term memory
SQ4R: Step 3
Review and ReflectIMMEDIATELY after reading chapter, do
quick review of what you learned. 5-minutes or less.
Look at subheadings – recall main pointsRe-read points you highlighted.Reflect on how you can use the info, how
does it relate?
Review and Reflection Points What is important? What is the significance? How can I use the information? What does it mean to me? What do I think about the information? How does this relate to what I already
know? Can I think of a good example for this?
More Useful Ideas
Unfamiliar word? Look up the definition, it will be on the exam!
You may need to re-read Speed and comprehension improves with
practice Take notes – active involvement Don’t understand? Talk with your teacher
Read or skim material before class Review periodically throughout semester Learning disability?
Albert EinsteinThomas Edison
Match learning style to reading styleAuditory – read aloudActive – move aroundIntrovert – quiet placeExtrovert – group study
Additional Online Resources www.how-to-study.com www.studyhall.com www.d.umn.edu/kmc/student/loon/
acad/strat http://frank.mtsu.edu/~studskl www.columbia.edu/cu/augustine/study
Questions?