Transcript Notetaking in the Classroom - Home | Phonak

Notetaking in the Classroom
Why should we learn strategies for
taking notes??? How can we become
more effective notetakers????
What are the biggest challenges of
notetaking when you have a hearing loss?
What have you done to advocate
for yourself to aid in notetaking?
Why take my own notes in class?
 Organized notes will help you identify the main ideas
of the lecture
 A permanent record will help you learn later
 The lecture may be the only chance to learn this
information
 Lecture is where you learn what your instructor thinks
is important. What he may put on the exam
 Class assignments are usually given during class
 Underlying purpose of lecture will become evident
during notetaking
What to do Before the lecture
 Make some preparations beforehand
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Check the course outline for key topics
Before the lecture complete readings
Review the text assignment
Review notes from previous lecture
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Sit near the front
Give the teacher your personal FM system
Copy everything on the smartboard
Have a proper attitude. Be prepared to be open
minded
During the Lecture
 Have your lecture paper and pens ready or
personal computer
 Write down the title, course, and date
 Watch the speaker carefully
 Listen carefully to the intro., this will help
you take better notes later
 Be brief. Summarize in your own words.
You want to understand what he is saying,
not record exactly what is said
 Try to recognize main ideas by signal words
(see sheet of signal words)
During Lecture, cont.
 Jot down details or examples that
support main ideas (esp. ones that
are not in the text)
 If there is a summary at the end,
make sure your notes are organized
according to the summary. Copy
down main ideas of the summary
 At the end, ask the instructor about
points that you don’t understand
During The Lecture, Cont.
 Try not to be in a rush. Be attentive
and listen up to the last minute. You
may miss important pieces such as an
exam if you are busy packing up!
After the Lecture
 Revise your notes are quickly as
possible. The longer you wait the
more your mind forgets
 Coordinate your reading and lecture
notes
 Review your lecture notes AT LEAST
ONCE A WEEK, and review the
previous days notes before the next
lecture
Other Tips to Notetaking
Listen actively
Be open minded
Raise questions
Keep notes in a large notebook or
folder on your computer
 Leave some spaces between ideas so
that you can summarize or add later
 Do not try to write everything down,
listen for main ideas and examples
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Other Tips, Cont.
 Listen for cues as to important points,
transition from one point to the next,
repetition of points, changes in voice
inflections, etc.
 Many lecturers try to make a few major
points with supporting ideas
 Make your original notes legible enough for
your reading. Use abbreviations when
possible. Neatness is a virtue in some
respects, but does not necessarily increase
learning
Tips cont.
 Copy down everything on the
blackboard. It may serve as a useful
cue later
 Sit close, easier to hear and less
distractions
 Box or highlight assignments/ exams
 Mark ideas that the lecturer
emphasizes with a special symbol
Listening and Notetaking are Skills
 The more you practice these
techniques, the more skilled you will
become. Try to use and improve
these skills. Soon you will be able to
record the fastest lectures effectively