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Note-taking

Note-taking. UCD DSS Study Skills Sessions. Learning Outcomes. Explore why you take notes Explore current note-taking strategies Explore types of note-taking Learn how to be a more effective note taker. Why Take notes?. To record key ideas of a writer or speaker.

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Note-taking

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  1. Note-taking UCD DSS Study Skills Sessions

  2. Learning Outcomes • Explore why you take notes • Explore current note-taking strategies • Explore types of note-taking • Learn how to be a more effective note taker

  3. Why Take notes? • To record key ideas of a writer or speaker. • To record sources of information • To make links between ideas. • To aid memory and recall • To aid planning when writing • To help ideas flow • To organise information • To aid revision • To help understanding

  4. Unique Features of Note Taking • Abbreviated • Personal • In your own words • Needs flexibility

  5. Current Note Taking Style • Exercise • Complete the handout: Rate your note taking • Rate 1 to 5 • 1 - very happy • 5 – very unhappy • Underline/highlight the areas you are least happy with- this is your starting point for improvement.

  6. Types of Note Taking • Linear • Prose • Summaries • Bullet points • Patterned • Nuclear • Spider grams • Diagrams • Mind maps

  7. Active Listening: Key Elements • Plan Ahead • Review previous material • Reduce distractions • Find a good seat • Overview • Pay attention to overview of lecture • Key words • Listen out for key words and phrases • Body Language • Positive body language • Ask Questions • To clarify, increase understanding, link new and old information • Take notes

  8. Active Listening: Before Lectures Ask yourself these questions: • What do I want to get out of this talk, lecture or tutorial? • How does it fit into my course? • What do I already know about this topic?

  9. Active Listening: During Lectures Ask yourself these questions: • What is the main topic to be covered? • What are the key points? • Are there practical applications? • Can I associate the information in order to aid understanding?

  10. Active Listening: After Lectures Ask yourself these questions: • How can I record the information to aid memory? • What have I learnt? • What do I not understand? • What do I need to clarify? • How does new information connect with my existing knowledge? • What do I need to explore more to consolidate my learning? • Where do I need to go for more information?

  11. Features of Lectures • Introduction (overview) • Conclusion (review) • Main Body • Repetition • Key points • Linking Expressions (see handout) • Conversely, also, most importantly, in brief…. • Rephrasing of Ideas • Clarification and over learning • Elaboration • Balanced argument

  12. Techniques • Use Key Words • UseColour • Use Visual Images • Highlight or Underline Key Points • Use lots of space • Use Bullet Points • Use Patterns, shapes and/or symbols • Use one side of the page • Leave a large margin • Use common Abbreviations

  13. How to improve: Key Principles of Effective Note Taking • Leave Spaces to fill in extra information or clarification • Leave large margins for notes of association and linking ideas • Always date and number notes • Always write down name of lecture, lecturer, module and topic. • Always note down references • Abbreviate

  14. How to improve: Key Principles of Effective Note Taking (cont) • Summarise • Ensure logical thread of lecture is noted • Discuss lectures with peers • Emphasise main points • Use a contents page • Use a Dictaphone if you have weak auditory learning style

  15. Mind Maps (Michalko, ?) • Activates whole brain • Clears mental clutter • Allows you to focus • Demonstrates connections between isolated pieces of information • Gives clear picture of details • Gives “Big Picture” • Allows grouping and regrouping of concepts • Helps concentration thus enabling transfer form short term to long term memory

  16. Mind Maps: 7 steps (Buzan, 2005) (see handout) • Start at centre • Use image/picture as central idea • Use colour throughout • Connect your main branches • Make branches curved not straight • Use one key word per line • Use images throughout Exercise: Create a mind map of last lecture

  17. Note taking from books • Active Reading • SQ3R • Colour • Highlighting • Underlining • Summarising – in own words • Referencing

  18. Recap • Note-taking is an active process • Note-taking requires organisation and planning • Note-taking should be personal • Note-taking should use • Colour • Highlighting • Underlining • Note-taking should be systematic • The type of notes you make should reflect your learning style.

  19. References • Buzan, T (2005) The Ultimate Book of Mind Maps • Michalko, M (2001) Cracking Creativity • Moran, A.P (2000) Managing your own learning • The Open University Press (1990) The Good Study Guide • Race, P (1992) 500 tips for students • Cottrell, S (2003), The study skills handbook

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