Transcript STUDY SKILLS

“Reading Textbooks and
Taking Notes ”
Session 4
STUDY SKILLS
“There is a great difference between knowing a thing and
understanding it.”
~Charles Kettering (1876 – 1958)
American electrical engineer and inventor
“Learn how to listen, and you will prosper—even from those
who talk badly.”
~Plutarch (A.D. 46 – 120) Greek biographer and philosopher
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A Positive Attitude Affects
Performance
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Set a goal.
Make a “to-do list” when
something enters your mind while
reading.
Break the assignment into smaller
parts if you feel overwhelmed.
Help yourself stay focused by
utilizing short periods of time.
Read your most difficult texts first.
Place:
Comfortable chair
Desk or table
No distractions
Equipment:
Highlighter
Ruler
Notepad
Watch or clock
Note cards
Post-its
Dictionary
READING YOUR TEXT
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Read actively.
– Ask yourself: What is this
saying? Is this important?
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Read a chapter 3 times.
– before the lecture
– after the lecture
– before the exam
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Read all online materials in
addition to the assigned
textbook chapters.
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Break the reading down into
small ten-page sections, and
reward yourself.
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Reading a Textbook
Choose a section—preferably no longer than 25 to 30
pages—that you can handle in one sitting (perhaps
one chapter or section of a chapter).
Step 1. Read the title, the introduction, the words in
bold print, and the conclusion (5 min).
Step 2. Now go back and read the whole chapter.
Step 3. Ask yourself two questions: What is this
saying? (translate into your own words) Is it
important? (if yes, write it on a note card)
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Learning Strengths Relate to Reading
Textbooks and Taking Notes
My learning strength is:
A. Auditory
– You learn through hearing. Use
taped lectures to help you fill in
the gaps in your notes. Listen,
take notes, and review notes
frequently. In the lecture, sit where
you can hear well. After you read
something, recite it out loud.
B. Visual
– Look at all study materials. Use
charts, maps, videos, notes, and
flash cards. Practice visualizing or
picturing works/concepts in your
head. Write out everything for
frequent and quick visual review.
C. Tactile
– Trace words as you are saying
them. Facts that must be learned
should be written several times,
so keep a supply of scratch paper
for this purpose. Taking and
keeping lecture notes will be very
important. Make study sheets.
Visit links provided by your professors.
Some may include audio, video, or
graphics to supplement the text.
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The Lecture
Paying Attention in the
Classroom
• Anticipate the main ideas.
• Resist distractions.
• Sit in the “T” zone.
• Remember that you don’t have
to sit perfectly still.
Taking Notes
• Be prepared.
– Read text ahead of time.
– Keep your notes organized.
• Write down anything written on
the boards.
• Use abbreviations.
• Listen for lecture cues.
– Voice inflection
– Repetition
• Summarize the ideas in your own
words.
• Ask questions for clarity.
• Take advantage of recorded
lectures by taking notes on the
material, just as you would in any
other lecture.
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Taking Notes
Method 1
Organization
Binders or spirals? Using pockets?
Date handouts and notes.
Outline Format
Method—Write in points in an organized
pattern based on space indention. Indent
more specific points to the right. Levels of
importance will be indicated by distance
away from the major point.
Advantages—It is a well-organized system if
done right. Outlining records content as well
as relationships. It also reduces editing and
is easy to review by turning main points into
questions.
Disadvantages—It requires more thought in
class for accurate organization. This system
may not show relationships by sequence
when needed. This system cannot be used if
the lecture is too fast.
When to Use—The outline format can be used
if the lecture is organized in outline form.
This format can be most effective when your
note-taking skills are super sharp and you
can handle the outlining regardless of the
note-taking situation.
Example
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Taking Notes
Method 2
Point form/Sentence Method
Example
Method—Write every new thought, fact, or
topic on a separate line, numbering as
you progress.
Advantages—It is slightly more organized
than the paragraph, and it gets more or
all of the information.
Disadvantages—You can't determine
major/minor points from the numbered
sequence. It is difficult to edit without
rewriting by clustering points that are
related. It is difficult to review unless
editing cleans up relationships.
When to Use—Use when the lecture is
somewhat organized but heavy with
content that comes quickly.
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