6.2 Taking Notes
Introduction
Note-taking consists of writing down information (using a digital tool or by hand) that originates from a text you have read, watched or listened to.
Learners must understand the text, select pertinent information and organize it in a relevant way in order to be able to retain what seems important to the task at hand, whatever that may be."Note-taking involves certain cognitive behavior; writing notes engages your brain in specific and beneficial ways that help you grasp and retain information. Note-taking can result in broader learning than simply mastering course content because it helps you to process information and make connections between ideas, allowing you to apply your new knowledge to novel contexts, according to Michael C. Friedman, in his paper, “Notes on Note-Taking: Review of Research and Insights for Students and Instructors,” which is part of the Harvard Initiative for Learning and Teaching."
The Importance of Taking Notes
Note-taking strategies are useful to students throughout their academic careers. Moreover, they are effective for all QEP subjects. It is therefore important to teach students how to take notes properly.
Every learner has their own way of learning, which is why it is so important to offer students various strategies to take notes electronically or by hand. This way, students can demonstrate their understanding using the note-taking method that suits them, which also allows them to demonstrate their competence and achieve their full potential