Taking Notes: Crash Course Study Skills #1

Summary

In 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.
• 🤔 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.
• 💻 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.
• 🛠️ 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.