Note taking strategies

Orna.Farrell@dbs.ie

Discussion questions

• Is taking notes important?

• What method do you use?

• When do you take notes?

Why take notes?

• To note down facts• To contrast similarities and differences• To summarise main points• To help pay attention• To review and revise• To record thoughts & brainstorm

Types of note taking

Prose/linear• Many students use this

format • basically written paragraphs• While this type can provide

a summary the disadvantages are that it encourages verbatim copying

• doesn't allow for organisational strategy use

Types of note takingMind mapping/spider diagrams• The notes start in the middle of a

page and 'explode' out towards the edge of the page.

• The advantage is that it is very visual, allows for structure and displays relationships.

• They are very useful for review and recall, brainstorming and revision purposes.

• Another advantage is that a lot of information can be condensed

• Disadvantages include they are hard to produce, especially from lectures and they require practice

Why mind map?

• Using words, numbers and sentences only uses one side of your brain: the left

• Your right brain responds to colours, shapes and sound

• Mind mapping uses both left and right brain skills

• Interview with Tony Buzan

Making a mind map

Spicy nodeswww.spicynodes.org

Choose a topic• The floods• Climate Change• X factor• The Ryan report on child abuse• Dublin Business School

Spend five minutes creating a mind map

Types of note takingCornell Method• This method involves drawing a

line down the page, about 1/3 from left side of page.

• The right side is used to record notes. The left side is reserved for key words and main points.

• These can be done after the lecture, when trying to condense the information.

• The advantage of this method is that it forces the note taker to select main points;

Types of note taking

Outline• The advantage of this

method is that it is more visual and allows for the structure.

• It forces the note taker to create main points.

• A disadvantage is that sometimes the material is not conducive or provided in such a format that lends itself to outlining

Taking Notes in Lectures

• Taking notes in lectures involves being an active listener

• Focus on the content not the speaker

• Review previous notes for better continuity & comprehension

• Listen for key words• Spend a few minutes

discussing the lecture at the end

Taking Notes from readings

The SQRNR Reading Method1. Survey the text 2. Question: make questions about the text3. Read & underline key words4. Make notes5. Revise

Further reading

• www.spicynodes.org• Buzan, T. (2002) How to mind map. London:

Thorsons.• http://www.buzanworld.com/• http://

www.youtube.com/watch?v=MlabrWv25qQ