1. UCD Access & Lifelong Learning
Note Taking
UCD Access & Lifelong Learning

3. Outline for today Preparing for the Lecture
Making the most of your notes
Revisiting Your Notes
Trying the Cornell Method of Note-Taking

4. Four Purposes For Note Taking
Effective note-taking is not recording or transcribing.
Provides a written record for review
Forces you to pay attention
Requires organisation, which involves active effort on your part
You must condense and rephrase, which aids understanding

5. Preparation for Lectures and Classes
Module Specific Organisation
Get to know your module codes as well as names
Separate Folders/Notebooks
Keep all handouts together

6. Preparation for Lectures and Classes
Try using a specific colour for each of your 6 modules
Make sure you have all necessary equipment – pens, paper, calculator, recording device, laptop, highlighters etc.

7. Preparing for the Lecture
Complete notes before the day’s lecture. 
Lecturers can post readings or notes before class. If you do the assigned reading before class, you’ll already know many of the background details. Then you can focus your note-taking on key concepts.

8. Preparing for the Lecture
Read through your notes from the last lecture.
This will help you get back up to speed on where you last left off in the class.

9. Check for online course materials and lecture outlines
Think of them as the frame for a house, which you will then complete and furnish with your note-taking.
Don’t just print off the lectures – use the handouts to structure your notes.

10. To write or to type? Putting pen to paper prompts you to engage more
Writing things down by hand can help you achieve greater focus.
Typing can lead you to transcribe
But using a laptop can allow you format, save, edit, share, and read notes

11. Sit near the front of the room
… you will have fewer distractions.
You will be able to pay attention and take better notes.
Find a spot where you can see and hear the lecturer clearly.
Show up to class a little early to get a good seat

12. Supplies Two pens - Ink easier to read than pencil. Carry a spare
Wide-lined paper
Class date, and topic clearly labeled
Number the pages as you go

13. Before each lecture or class…
Arrive Early
Sit at the front
Read last week’s notes
Put the date and module name/code at the top of your page

14. Making the most of your notes
Do Recommended Reading
Review previous week
Ask questions if you don’t understand something!
Effective note-taking is not recording or transcribing.

15. How to Take Notes
What works for you?
Personal
Memorable

16. Catch the introduction
Lectures often begin with a preview –
Do not miss the opening act!

17. Copy down the outline if there is one
Each lecture follows an outline or structure. This is the key – it will help you structure your notes

18. Follow the cues …
Your lecturer will give signals or cues to highlight the important material. They may pause, gesture, count out -
Signals which indicate an important or new idea include:
The significance of this is …
The impact is …
These are the reasons why
From this we can see…

19. Trigger Words To sum up The main points are In conclusion To review
This is important
Remember that
Keep in mind
Exam
Essay
Assignment
Assessment

20. Develop your own shorthand
Use abbreviations
Only record the key words, phrases
Paraphrase what you are hearing
Circle, underline or emphasise key points you want to go back to
Doodle, draw or map out the key messages

21. Write legibly and leave space
Make sure you can read your own writing
And leave space so that you can go back and write in the missing pieces

22. Finish with a flourish
Pay attention at the end – there may be a summary
This summary may help you go back over your notes and fill in the gaps
And then you can ask a question if you need to? Or ask after class.

23. Cognitive Processing (thinking) Reshaping (your own words/style)
Revisiting your notes
Revisit your notes as soon as possible – at least within 24 hours
Original Information
Cognitive Processing (thinking)
Reshaping (your own words/style)
Learning

24. Revise – just don’t rewrite
In-class notes are your draft – now revise them.
In classes and lectures
When reading
When doing research
Planning an essay or assignment
Working on a problem

25. Highlight what is important in your notes

26. Cornell Note Taking Two-Column Method (Cornell Method)
Take notes in two columns
First column for topic or question
Second column for description or answers

27. Cornell Method - Simple

28. Cornell - advanced

29. Cornell – 5 steps Write down main points.
Record
Write down main points.
Questions
After class write questions based on the notes in the right hand column. These questions should be placed in the cue column (left).
Recite
Covering the right column, test yourself using the questions in the cue column.
Reflect
Ask reflective questions e.g. “What’s the significance of these facts? What principle are they based on? How can I apply them? How do they fit in with what I already know?”
Review
Spend some time each week reviewing all of your notes for the week. Check your understanding and the clarity of your notes.

30. Use Apps to Organize Your Notes
Onenote
Evernote
Web App
Web App

31. Colour, Images, Key Words/Phrases
Mind-Mapping
Mind Mapping
Visual Learning
Seeing Connections
Creativity
Memory
Colour, Images, Key Words/Phrases
Summarising Ideas
Organising Ideas

32. Mind Maps for Essay Writing

34. Use Coggle on the Web
See Coggle in Action - Click on the Mindmap

35. Mindmeister
Available on the Web
And on Your Smartphone
Web App

36. Notetaking Apps
Cogi
Notability
Web App
Web App

37. Recording classes Recording your classes – permission!
Recording group discussion – think about the privacy of your peers
Bookmark your recordings so you can listen back to specific sections
Listen back to fill in your written/typed notes

38. Your Voice or Computerised Voice
Audio Notes
Structure
Key points, definitions etc.
Your Voice or Computerised Voice
Choose a voice you could listen to for an extended period of time.
Listen Back
Listen back regularly using spare time on buses, trains etc.

39. To summarise Don’t transcribe
Get organised before class and during lecture
File your notes as soon as possible
Spend time reviewing your notes after class – minimum 10 minutes
Reprocess the information – create mind maps, cue cards, audio notes etc.
Often less is more!

40. Ask yourself questions:
And finally …
What is the main point?
How does this relate to other classes?
Do I understand this clearly?
Ask yourself questions: