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?