Learning Skills
(LRSK-141)
:Becoming an effective learner
Effective Note-taking
Self-Development Department LRSK-141 Team
3 LSKL & COMSKL Team
Learning Objectives
Write effective notes in lectures, which summarize
clearly key ideas
4 LSKL & COMSKL Team
Activity 1: Note-taking (video)
Taking Notes
Watch the video and write notes on the
questions:
[Link]
1) Why is note-taking important?
2) Which is better: hand-written notes or
notes on computer?
5 LSKL & COMSKL Team
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Note Taking ….
• Why take notes?
• How do you take notes?
• What methods can you use?
Note-Taking
•What is note taking?
• Writing down ideas from lectures and readings in your own words
•What materials do you need?
• Loose-leaf paper (Notebook)
• Binder for organizing
• Folders with pockets to keep things organized
• Pens, Pencils etc
Note-Taking ….WHY?
Helps you engage/pay attention.
Notes serve as a “file” of information for later use – study for
EXAM!
Taking notes helps you become an “active listener” and a
“critical thinker”. (different to passive listening)
“Active” listening is when you listen carefully to make sure you understand and learn the
information that you have heard.
Note-Taking ….WHY?
Taking notes facilitates learning - to become an “effective
learner”.
you will stay more focused
continuously analyzing
forced to think about what you see and hear.
Notes help you remember information! (Please don’t say
you will remember!) :After lecture :Material forgotten
minutes 20 47%
day 1 62%
days 2 69%
weeks 10 75%
weeks 15 95%
Note-taking is a skill
• This takes understanding of what you are doing
• It takes practice – need to make effort
Note Taking Is A Skill
How do we take notes?
• True/False - write down every word?
• True/False – write complete sentences?
• True/False – write down key words?
• True/False – copy everything from the board?
• True/False – use abbreviations?
• True/False – write ideas to clarify later?
• True/False – stop focusing & become distracted?
Note-taking
• Date and label notes
• Use abbreviations and symbols
• What are some examples of symbols and abbreviations?
• Use an outline to show:
• Main ideas
• Supports
• Examples
• Use your own language
Useful Abbreviations
!! - important For ENGLISH CLASS
N - noun
?? - not clear
S - subject
+ or & - and
O - object
= - equal V - verb
@ - at Adj - adjective
qv - look up Adv - adverb
i.e That is (in other words) PT – Past Tense
e.g - for example etc
pg - page
Note Taking is a PROCESS ..
BEFORE DURING AFTER
CLASS CLASS CLASS
BEFORE Coming to Class
• Prepare yourself mentally
• Review your notes and other background
material
• Review syllabus (content)
• Review previous notes
• Look up key words
• Review any reading assignment
• Think through what has happened in the
class to date
• Be ready to understand and remember
• Anticipate what is to come
DURING Class - While Taking Notes
• Be an active listener
• Get the main ideas
• Write key points only
• Paraphrase
• Ask questions
• Integrate with other knowledge you already
have
• Use symbols to indicate importance of items
• Leave blank space for later additions
After Class – Review
Notes
• Review your notes and fill any gaps
• Discuss/Compare with others
• Ask for any clarification
• Hearing a thing once is not enough. Memory requires
review and understanding
• Find answers to any questions remaining unanswered
• Write a brief summary Good to have a study buddy/group - to review and discuss
notes.
• Not easy – habit takes time
REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW
What are the note-taking methods..?
• Many methods, 4 key methods:
• Outline Method
• Cornell Method
• Matrix Method
• Mind-mapping Method (Concept Map)
The Outline Method – Slide note as an example
• Main points on farthest left side, subsequent points follow
indents
• Example:
• Note Taking
• 2 skills needed
• Effective listening
• Effective note taking
• 4 key methods
• Cornell Met., Outlining Met., Mapping Met., Outlining Met., Sentence Met.
Outlining Example
Cornell Note-Taking Method
• Note Taking Area
• make sure to leave large spaces in your
notes to add information later!
• Cue or Question Column
• write questions in the margins
• Summaries Area
• Write a brief summary of that day's notes.
Cornell Note-Taking
Example
Activity 2: Cornell Method Example
Watch this video and make notes using Cornell Method
LO of the video is given below
LO example
Atomic Number and Mass Number
Calculate number of protons, neutrons and electrons
Explain properties of neutron, protons & electrons
Explain what is an isotope
Video: [Link]
The Cornell Method.. example
Cues/Questions (THINK!) Notes
What is an atom? MAKE NOTES..!!
Where would you find an electron in atom?
Where is proton & neutron?
What is an ion?
Difference between cation & anion
Why does Sodium give up an electron when it bonds with
Chlorine?
SUMMARY
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
Cornell Method & Mind map
Summaries: You can write bullet points of mind-map to summarize, like this:
Cornell
method
Potential
Advantages !disadvantages
Helps visual Not understanding
Helps you organize Learning increases
learners how it works
Need practice to
Key points
summarize
The Mapping Method
• A graphic representation of the lecture content
Mind-Map
The Matrix Method
• Good for comparing/contrasting
• Draw columns/ categories and insert notes as necessary (SEE MIND
MAP)
Group Electron Shell Electron Electronegativity
Configuration
I 1S2
II
Examples …
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Examples …
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So What does it all mean….?
You have to decide what is
BEST for you …..AND DO IT
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Activity 3: Different note-taking styles
Referring to the images in previous slides, discuss the following questions
and present to the class your findings
1. What kind of lecture do you think would be good for this note-
taking style?
2. What type of learning style do you think would suit this note-
taking style?
3. What are the advantages/disadvantages of this style?
Tell the class. Use the board to demonstrate
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Activity 4: Action plan
1. Write two things to do with your notes for each of the
following:
a. Before class
b. During class
c. After class
2. Which note-taking techniques have you tried before?
3. Which note-taking techniques will you try this semester?
4. KEEP YOUR NOTES ORGANISED
35 LSKL & COMSKL Team
36 LSKL & COMSKL Team