TIME AND EFFORT = ACADEMIC SUCCESS Note-Taking Strategies

When Should You Note- Take? During Class Lecture(s) While Reading Assignments During Class Discussions During Cooperative Group Sessions While Reviewing Previously taken notes Any time you encounter relevant information during research

Why is Note-Taking Important? Keeps you actively involved and engaged while reading and listening to lectures Keeps you focused Provides study material for tests and projects Transforms you from a passive observer to an active participant during class Serves as research references

TIPS FOR BECOMING AN ACTIVE LISTENER Listen for main ideas and for the supporting details Remain alert to recognize when a new idea is being introduced Keep an open mind Engage in self-talk – Are you getting all of the information? Add your own ideas to your notes

LISTEN FOR “CUE WORDS” For examples: For example, for instance, to illustrate For organization or chronological order: The six steps are…, next, finally first, secondly, third For additional points: Furthermore, in addition, also, moreover For opposing ideas: On the other hand, in contrast, although, however For similar ideas: Likewise, similarly, in comparison

More “Cue Words” For exceptions: However, nevertheless, but, yet, still For emphasis: Above all, finally, more importantly For understanding: In other words, in essence, briefly For summarizing: In conclusion, to sum up, for these reasons, in a nutshell For exams: Remember this, this is important, this could be on the test Also, pay attention to these cue words and phrases as you read assignments.

PREPARATION FOR EFFECTIVE NOTE-TAKING TAKE NOTES while you read assignments Have all of your supplies ready to use. Write down everything Mr. Spooner writes on the board Write down material that is emphasized by voice inflection,on the board, or on Power Point Presentation

NOTE-TAKING TIPS Take notes in Mr. Spooner’s words, but when you study, RECITE them in your own words Leave blank spaces to add more information later Leave space between the main ideas and supporting details Take notes until the end of class Write legibly

MORE NOTE-TAKING TIPS Use an adjusted writing style – combining cursive and print Write meaningful phrases When revising your notes, color-code them Write notes to yourself: Ex.-See p. 147 of text for more details Exchange information with a reliable classmate to help synthesize ideas

CREATING A CONSISTENT NOTE-TAKING SYSTEM Develop your own shorthand method Shorten words by omitting vowels: problem=prblm background=bkgd Use standard abbreviations in place of words: with=w without=w/o Use the first part of a word for the full word: sociology=soc kinship=K because=BC most importantly=M Add symbols, pictures, and drawings to your notes as you REVIEW. Make them different sizes and colors (THIS HELPS YOU TO REMEMBER INFORMATION!!!

NOTE-TAKING FROM PRINT SQ4R STUDY READING METHOD S – SURVEY Q – QUESTION R – READ R – RECITE R – RITE R – REVIEW

S = SURVEY To “X-Ray” the “bones” of the chapter: As you survey keep asking yourself - What do I already know about the topic? Look at the title. Read the introduction or first two paragraphs Look over the headings: subheadings, boldface words, titles of graphs, charts, diagrams, etc. Read the Summary or last two paragraphs Take no more than 5 minutes to survey an average chapter

Q = QUESTION To set a purpose and to get actively engaged in reading: Pose Questions relating to learning objectives, mentally or in writing, before you read the first section of the chapter Use essential questions provided by Mr. Spooner, your text, or a study guide Turn a chapter heading, subheadings, or boldface terms into questions, beginning with “why,” “how,” “what,” “where,” “when,” or “who?”

R = READ To find the answers to your questions posed in the Questioning step: Read only a short section, one paragraph to one page, depending on the difficulty of the text Read quickly and selectively, improving your comprehension by seeking the answers to your questions (preview questions!)

R = RECITE To find out what information you have gained from reading the short section: Answer your question aloud, in your own words, for an immediate test of your comprehension If you can’t say it, you don’t know it Reciting is your most powerful tool for remembering information – it requires the complete multisensory concentration needed to move information from short-term memory into long-term memory

R = “RITE” To prepare your notes for later review, follow RECITE with any of the following steps: If the material is fairly easy, underline or highlight, using the ”telegrammatic” method If the material is detailed or complex, write brief notes in the margin, in your notebook, or on post-it-notes In either case, record key names, dates, terms, definitions and ideas Mark any confusing portions for future clarification NOW MOVE TO THE NEXT SECTION OF TEXT. RETURN TO THE “QUESTION” STEP AND PROCEED THROUGH THE “READ,” “RECITE,” AND “RITE” STEPS

Highlighting and Underlining Use during the “RITE” step of the SQ4R Study Reading method Objective: Your underlined or highlighted information and notes should provide you with a sufficient, correct summary of the reading material Provides focus during note-taking, improving comprehension, review, and recall

R = REVIEW At the end of the lecture, reading, or powerpoint do an immediate, brief review to double retention Take about 5 minutes to review the full chapter, ”resurveying” it again by looking over all headings, subheadings, boldface terms, definitions, and major points – adding to your own notes, highlighting or underlining A week later, review again briefly to strengthen long-term memory Review each week until you are assessed, adding new readings as they are assigned, to cut study time by up to 90%

WHY USE SQ4R? Continually changes the pace, as you read one short section using the QUESTION to READ to RECITE to RITE steps -Enhances concentration -Produces greater learning than the usual reading of a full chapter -Improved comprehension

Research Shows: Study-Reading Methods Do Work Reading alone is a short-term memory operation Provides mental organization or structure Sets a purpose for reading Produces sense of accomplishment Creates sense of security Multisensory The key is repetition!!!

NOTE-TAKING METHOD 1 CORNELL SYSTEM Draw a 2.5 inch margin down the left side of the page Leave several inches of space on the bottom of the page for writing a summary Include the date and class name on each page Take notes on the right side of the paper only After the lecture, use the cue column (left side) to write study questions, key words, or phrases related to notes on the right side Cover up the notes on the right side and use the cue column to test your knowledge Write a summary on the bottom of each page Review your notes immediately and at least nightly Study the information using flash cards, outlines, hierarchies, mind maps, etc.

NOTE-TAKING METHOD 2 OUTLINING DURING LECTURES AND TEXT NOTES Main ideas or topics begin farthest to the left with supporting details indented below to the right Levels of importance are indicated by distance away from the major point Relationships among categories of facts carried through by indenting No numbers, letters, or Roman Numerals are needed Best used if lecture is presented in an outlined manner Must have enough time to think about and organize information Use titles, subheadings, captions, terms, or paragraphs as categorization guides

NOTE-TAKING METHOD 3 COLUMN NOTES Divide paper into 2 parts On left side write page number with terms, subtitles, topics Right side write in facts, supporting details, summary, information from textbook notes Divide paper into 3 parts On the far left side 1 ½“, write page numbers that reference the text In the middle section, write text book notes On the far right side, write lecture notes in an organized format Provides comprehensive overview of lecture notes and text notes

NOTE-TAKING METHOD 4 GRAPHICALLY ORGANIZING Also referred to as graphic organizers, mind maps, hierarchies, webbing, flowcharts, tree diagrams, etc. Graphically and visually connects each fact or idea to another fact or idea Emphasizes critical thinking Notes can be easily edited, revised, cut apart, and pieced together Stimulates use of the right side of the brain, thus maximizing learning

Using Your Whole Brain LEFT SIDE RIGHT SIDE Logical Intuitive Linear Non-linear Mathematical Visual Language Spatial Analytical Creative Reasoning Subconscious Mind Conscious Mind

NOTE-TAKING METHOD 4 CHARTING Before lecture, determine categories to be covered in the lecture Set up a graphic organizer or chart in advance according to the categories As you actively listen to the lecture, fill in the chart Write main ideas, phrases, single words

NOTE-TAKING Necessary for in-depth learning Multisensory approach – Kinesthetic, Auditory, Visual Experiment with different methods Find the right fit for you Adjust to suit your needs Practice until note-taking becomes a habit

References Burke, J. (2002). Tools for thought. Portsmouth: Heineman. California Polytechnic State University. Student Academic Services. http://www.sas.calpoly.edu/asc/ssl/notetaking.systems.html Feldman, Shattles, & McKenzie. (2004).Oracle EDU 1110. Unpublished manuscript, Southern Methodist University, Dallas, TX Hoyt, L. (2002). Make it Real: Strategies for success with informational texts. Portsmouth: Heineman: 191-196. Our world today: people, places, and issues. (2003). New York: Glencoe McGraw-Hill: 22-25, 82-85, 192-196. Leonard, E. (2007). What every student should know about…study skills. New York: Pearson.