Taking Notes: Crash Course Study Skills #1

CrashCourse
8 Aug 201708:50

Summary

TLDRIn this Crash Course Study Skills video, Thomas Frank discusses the importance of note-taking for effective learning and retention. He compares paper and digital note-taking, highlighting a study that shows typing notes can lead to less retention due to a focus on syntax over meaning. Frank suggests using the Outline, Cornell, and Mind-Mapping methods, emphasizing the need to choose the right tool and approach for each subject to optimize learning and review.

Takeaways

  • 📝 Taking notes is crucial for learning and retaining information, as it helps to store and access knowledge in your own words.
  • đŸ€” The debate between paper and computer for note-taking has scientific evidence suggesting that while laptops offer speed, handwritten notes may aid in better retention.
  • đŸ’» A study from Princeton University found that laptop note-takers wrote more words but recalled less information, likely due to focusing on syntax over meaning.
  • 🎯 When typing notes, the speed can lead to less focus on the meaning due to cognitive limitations, suggesting the need for a balance between speed and comprehension.
  • 📄 Handwriting notes naturally limits the amount of information taken, potentially leading to better understanding and less distraction.
  • đŸ› ïž It's important to come to class prepared with the right tools, whether it's a well-organized notebook or a suitable note-taking app on a computer.
  • 🔍 Paying attention to the syllabus, study guides, and early quizzes can help identify what to focus on in your notes for effective studying.
  • 📚 Note-taking should prioritize big ideas, bullet lists, terms and definitions, and especially examples, which are vital for understanding how to apply concepts.
  • 📑 The Outline method organizes notes in a hierarchical bullet list, which is simple but may require formatting to highlight important details.
  • 📊 The Cornell Method divides notes into three sections: the Notes Column for content, the Cue Column for questions, and the Summary Column for key takeaways.
  • 🌐 Mind Mapping visually represents the relationships between concepts, offering a hierarchical yet flexible approach to note-taking.
  • 🚀 Experiment with different note-taking methods and adapt them to suit your learning style and the demands of different subjects.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video by Thomas Frank?

    -The main focus of the video is on how to take effective and great notes for learning and retaining information.

  • Why is it important to focus on note-taking skills according to the video?

    -Focusing on note-taking skills is important because output is as crucial as input in learning and retaining information. Notes help store information in a retrievable format in your own words.

  • What are the three routes for selecting tools for note-taking mentioned in the video?

    -The three routes for selecting tools for note-taking are paper, computer, and arm, although the video narrows it down to paper or computer due to practicality.

  • What does the study from Princeton University in 2014 suggest about note-taking on a laptop?

    -The study suggests that students who took notes on a laptop wrote more words on average but were able to recall less information when tested later on.

  • Why might typing notes on a laptop lead to recalling less information?

    -Typing notes on a laptop can lead to less information recall because students are more likely to record information word-for-word, focusing more on the syntax and less on the meaning due to the speed advantage of typing.

  • What is the 'Thought Bubble' section of the video trying to explain?

    -The 'Thought Bubble' section explains the cognitive process during a lecture, emphasizing the importance of balancing attention between the syntax and the meaning of the information presented.

  • What are some of the note-taking tools and apps suggested in the video?

    -The video suggests using a well-organized notebook and a good quality pen for paper notes, and apps like Evernote, OneNote, or Dropbox Paper for computer-based notes.

  • What is the significance of the 'signal-to-noise ratio' in the context of note-taking?

    -The 'signal-to-noise ratio' in note-taking refers to the importance of including only the essential information needed for tests and later application, while excluding irrelevant details.

  • What are some general guidelines for what to record in notes according to the video?

    -General guidelines include focusing on big ideas, bullet lists, terms and definitions, and examples, especially in subjects where concepts and formulas are applied to problems.

  • What are the three note-taking methods discussed in the video?

    -The three note-taking methods discussed are the Outline method, the Cornell method, and the Mind-Mapping method.

  • How does the Cornell method divide the note-taking space?

    -The Cornell method divides the note-taking space into three sections: the Cue Column for questions, the Notes Column for the actual notes, and the Summary Column for a brief summary of the main ideas after the lecture.

  • What is the main idea behind the Mind-Mapping method?

    -The main idea behind the Mind-Mapping method is to visually represent the relationships between concepts and facts in a hierarchical diagram, starting with the main concept in the center and branching out to details.

  • What advice does the video give on choosing a note-taking method?

    -The video advises trying out each method and making personal tweaks to see which one works best, as different classes may require different note-taking approaches.

Outlines

plate

Cette section est réservée aux utilisateurs payants. Améliorez votre compte pour accéder à cette section.

Améliorer maintenant

Mindmap

plate

Cette section est réservée aux utilisateurs payants. Améliorez votre compte pour accéder à cette section.

Améliorer maintenant

Keywords

plate

Cette section est réservée aux utilisateurs payants. Améliorez votre compte pour accéder à cette section.

Améliorer maintenant

Highlights

plate

Cette section est réservée aux utilisateurs payants. Améliorez votre compte pour accéder à cette section.

Améliorer maintenant

Transcripts

plate

Cette section est réservée aux utilisateurs payants. Améliorez votre compte pour accéder à cette section.

Améliorer maintenant
Rate This
★
★
★
★
★

5.0 / 5 (0 votes)

Étiquettes Connexes
Note-TakingStudy SkillsEducational TipsLearning TechniquesClass PreparationCognitive ScienceInformation RetentionLecture NotesAcademic SuccessProductivity Tools
Besoin d'un résumé en anglais ?