Strategies for taking notes and for learning content
Note taking is a method of recording significant ideas and facts that students learn in class in order to help them remember in the future. Learning content is a change in behavior, attitude, perception or combination of these attributes that can be repeated when the need is aroused. Therefore, various strategies should be employed to ensure students improve their note taking ability and learning content. Since note taking and learning content is particularly crucial to students, the paper will explore various strategies that are required. Success in learning requires the use of various strategies because learning content and note taking strategies applies to all the subjects that students are supposed to undertake in school. For instance, study skills are crucial approaches that enhance retention of learning knowledge and general learning. These strategies focus on how students should organize, take, assess and retain information, thus, the paper will discuss the significance of various strategies in note taking and learning content.
Taking of notes should be carried out effectively because it is a fundamental part of the learning process. Note taking is a significant element and skill that all students who aim to be successful in their academic careers should master. Thus, the skills required involve various activities such as reading, listening, concentration, as well as retaining of knowledge. Note taking helps student in various ways such as learning and writing. In most cases, note taking is used in recording presentations done in oral. Nevertheless, note-taking strategies are essential in helping record notes from a written source (Boch & Piollat, 2005).
Note taking in the education system entails quick transcription of information by using various strategies such as the use of symbols, as well as shortening of words in a comprehensive manner. The key purpose of note taking is to keep records of what is learned in class that will be used as a roadmap during reflections. In most cases, students should listen and understand the contents in order to take good notes. The main strategy of note taking is the preparation process that comprises comprehending learning content in the entire recording. Insufficient preparation will leave students struggling to comprehend with what is being discussed resulting to failure. Preparation process strategy needs focus as it entails collecting of the necessary materials to be used in taking notes. Therefore, preparation process is necessary because teaching has a lot of information that makes memorizing difficult. Therefore, emphasize on note taking is required to reduce the bulk of learning (Blerkom, 2011). Preparation improves the level of attentiveness during the note taking process.
Moreover, students should focus on necessity of emotional, physical and psychological learning. These could be achieved through eating a balanced diet, having a good sleep, physical checkups, and proper exercise. Paying of attention is crucial during note taking because it improves ability of taking good notes without straining. Hence, students who have the intent to learn and make perfect notes should pay maximum attention to every detail that the speaker says (Kopp, 2010). Another strategy of note taking is good listening skills; in this case, listening ensures that all the important points are noted down. Moreover, health is a basic concern in note taking since learning requires individuals who are healthy physically, emotionally, and psychologically. Healthy issues are always an ongoing process; hence, it should be put into consideration during note taking. Students’ healthy habits should always be focused on attaining maximum concentration during note taking.
Another strategy for note taking is eliminating both external and internal distractions. This strategy ensures that less distraction take place during note taking process. Distractions may come in form of low self-esteem, disinterest, as well as lack of motivation (Blerkom, 2011). Perhaps, it is essential to work on motivational factors, and ensure that there is positive interest from within. In addition, the area that the study is taking place should be free from external distractions such as objects, people, as well as odors.
Occasionally, the lecturer might assign readings, and in order to have proper preparation, the best strategy is to ensure that you have done the entire assigned readings before the lecture begins. The student must be in the venue on time to facilitate proper preparation. In the technologically advanced world, it is advisable to turn off the internet or phones to facilitate understanding. Scholars assert that during note taking, it is essential to employ rough outline strategy. This strategy asserts that making a rough outline in bullets will make the entire note taking neat and easily memorized (Mort and Jones, 1994).
Mind mapping is also a crucial strategy of note taking. In this case, the writing or typing of sentences is replaced by mind mapping. Scholars of mind mapping assert that visual format allows students to find the connection that cannot be achieved through other traditional note taking strategies (Boch & Piollat, 2005). The mind mapping is essential during brainstorming of ideas as result of numerous of pages required to be covered. It helps student to learn more efficiently and promotes the way they record information and enhances creativity in problem solving. In taking notes, if the lecturer repeats a concept or changes the tone, it is advisable to note it down since it is the key point. Everyone makes his/her own notes during learning; hence, one should not depend on another person’s notes
Cornell note taking strategy is also employed during note taking. The principle behind this strategy is that the notebook page is divided into various sections. Students should write course name, topic and the date at the top of each section. In this strategy, notes are recorded on one-half while concepts and key words are recorded on the other half. In addition, the summary is recorded at the bottom part of the page. The process that is undertaken in this strategy includes recording, reducing, reciting, reflecting, as well as reviewing. Another strategy that is essential in learning is the use of abbreviations as well as symbols. Abbreviations and symbols are tremendously useful if the instructor or the lecturer is too fast
Students must always be selective and systematic in choosing what is important because not all that is taught is relevant. This is achieved through clear identification of the learning purpose. If the note taking information is from a book, skimming for relevant content should be the first step. Skimming brings to the realization the important topics and content that should be focused on (Kopp, 2010).
Learning is a continuous process that employs various strategies. Hence, the student should employ various strategies to ensure that they memorize and understand the teaching. In content learning, it is useful to write personal thought in the margins of the note taking material. These personal thoughts ensure that important points will be remembered. In the lectures, it is advisable to ask questions, this is because it helps in comprehending the unknown. It is essential to recite and recap the content of the notes so as to recall it in the future.
In a nutshell, learning of content and note taking entails various strategies that are essential for better learning and memorization. In order to understand the content and learn perfectly, students should focus on peace of mind, as well as a healthy body. The note taking should make the learning easy, meaning it should be easy to understand. In times that students have not understood, it is essential to ask questions to learn more and comprehend the entire subject matter. Therefore, is essential to review all the materials and notes to ascertain if you have understood the learning after raking notes.
References
Boch, F & Piollat, A. (2005). Note Taking and Learning: A Summary of Research. The WAC
Journal, Vol, 16: September 2005
Blerkom, V. (2011). College Study Skills: Becoming a Strategic Learner. London: Cengage
Learning
Kopp, K. (2010). Everyday Content-Area Writing: Write to Learn Strategies. Gainesville:
Moupin House Press
Mort, P and Jones, G. (1994). Note-Taking Skills. Retrieved from
http://www.lc.unsw.edu.au/onlib/pdf/notetake.pdf
