Note Taking

people sitting on chairs while writing on notebooks

There are many approaches to taking notes. The goal is to document important information so that you can study it later. 

Note taking can include:

  • Writing in a notebook
  • Typing or using a stylus on a laptop computer or tablet
  • Drawing mind maps
  • Taking photos of the board (with permission)
  • Audio recording lecture with a digital recorder, phone or smart pen (with permission) 

A quick and simple approach to note taking Links to an external site. is available from BBC Learning English. 

One student's approach to note taking using great study skills and technology:

How I Take Notes | My Note taking Process Before, During & After Lectures! Links to an external site. by Ellen Kelley. 9:28. 

Writing in a notebook

Many students benefit from the Cornell Note Taking method for taking notes during class and studying them later.

Note taking Links to an external site. by the Academic Skills Center at Dartmouth College. 8:55. 

Important steps described include: 

      • Prepare for note taking before the lecture (see previous module)
      • Use active listening skills
      • Review notes after class within 24 hours and again on a weekly basis
      • Recite and practice describing the information in your own words.
      • Summarize the information in notes, on flash cards, using mind maps. 

 

Online Apps and Software for Note taking 

There are many online apps Links to an external site. that can help with note taking including mind mapping, software for note taking on your laptop or tablet, and summarizing tools. You can find reviews and links to resources here: 

Graphic organizers

Improve Note Taking with Graphic Organizers Links to an external site. by Purdue University. 1:30.

Some mind mapping apps include XMind Links to an external site. and MindMeister Links to an external site.. See the resources listed above for more. 

 

Assistive Technology 

Smart pens are pens that have a digital audio recorder and digital camera inside of them. While you take notes, the camera tracks where you are on your page and takes a photo of your page. When you tap on your notes, you can play back the audio portion of the lecture that was recorded while you wrote the words you tap on. There are many ways to use the pen. One way is to write in your notes what your teacher is writing on the board, like a math equation or vocabulary words, and then you can tap on these notes after the lecture to hear what the teacher said and fill in missing pieces. Another way to use this is to write a star in your notes fors anything you want to listen to later, maybe something that will be on the test or something you missed and need to hear again.

--> The LiveScribe pen Links to an external site. is one of several models of smart pens. 

Accommodations for Note Taking

Certain disabilities can make note taking challenging and accommodations can help. These can be arranged through the Accessibility Support Center (ASC). Some accommodations that can be useful include:

  • Permission to audio record the lecture for personal use
  • Permission to use a smart pen, such as LiveScribe
  • A student note taker who shares a copy of their notes with you