Lecture #11: Taking Notes Effectively - which words should you write down?

Summary

This video script emphasizes the importance of effective note-taking techniques for better learning and retention. It outlines four key strategies: avoid writing down every word, refrain from capturing isolated phrases, add detail to notes within 24 hours to solidify understanding, and take notes by hand rather than typing to enhance processing and recall. Scientific studies are cited to support the argument that hand-written notes lead to better performance and retention, while multitasking with devices during lectures can be detrimental to academic success.

Takeaways

• 📝 Never write down every word spoken during a lecture; instead, focus on understanding and summarizing the main points in your own words.
• 🔍 Avoid capturing isolated phrases, as they can lead to a disjointed understanding of the lecture content and poor retention.
• ⏰ Add 'flesh' to your notes within 24 hours of the lecture by spending a few minutes to review and expand upon the key points and concepts discussed.
• 🖊️ Take notes by hand using a pen or pencil, as research has shown this method to be more effective for learning and retention compared to typing on a device.
• 🧠 Engage with the content actively by thinking through the meaning of what you hear and formulating your own summaries to enhance understanding and memory.
• 🤔 If you don't understand something during the lecture, don't just write it down; instead, ask for clarification to ensure you grasp the concept before noting it.
• 📚 The purpose of note-taking is to increase efficiency in learning, allowing you to absorb and retain more information during the same amount of time spent in class.
• 📈 The benefits of proper note-taking include better immediate understanding during the lecture and having a useful written record for future review.
• 🚫 Multitasking on devices during lectures, such as browsing the internet, has been shown to negatively impact learning and grades.
• 🔑 Handwritten note-taking forces you to process information more deeply by summarizing and reflecting on the material, which aids in long-term retention.
• 📉 Studies have indicated that students who take notes on laptops, even without internet access, tend to perform worse on conceptual questions due to shallower processing.
• 🙅‍♂️ Exceptions to handwritten note-taking include individuals with disabilities or specific neurodiverse needs that have been verified by medical professionals.

Q & A

What are the four techniques mentioned for taking notes properly?

The four techniques are: 1) Never write down every word, 2) Don't grab whole phrases and write those down exactly, 3) Add flesh onto your notes within 24 hours, 4) Take notes by hand using a pen or a pencil, not by typing.

Why is it not recommended to write down every word during a lecture?

Writing down every word is not effective because it's hard to retain meaningless symbols without understanding them. It's better to understand the meaning behind the words and summarize them in your own words.

What is the purpose of adding 'flesh' to notes within 24 hours?

Adding 'flesh' to notes within 24 hours helps to complete the notes with additional understanding that wasn't captured during the lecture. This is because memories are freshest within this timeframe, and it aids in long-term retention.

What are the benefits of taking notes by hand instead of typing on a device?

Taking notes by hand forces you to summarize and process the information, leading to better understanding and retention. Typing can lead to shallower processing and is often associated with multitasking, which can reduce learning effectiveness.

What are the two main benefits of taking notes properly according to the script?

The two main benefits are: 1) During the lecture, you absorb more information into your brain, remembering much more of what you heard, 2) You have a written record of your notes that you can refer back to later, which is useful for review.

Why is it advised not to grab whole phrases from the lecture to write down?

Grabbing whole phrases can lead to a disconnected jumble of notes that you don't understand. It's better to listen, understand, and then write a summary in your own words to ensure retention.

What should you do if you don't understand something during the lecture while taking notes?

If you don't understand something, you should not write it down. Instead, raise your hand and ask for clarification. Once you understand, then write down what you've learned.

What does the term 'flesh' metaphorically represent in the context of note-taking?

In the context of note-taking, 'flesh' metaphorically represents the additional details and understanding that you add to your initial notes to create a more comprehensive record of the lecture.

How does taking notes by hand differ from typing them on a device in terms of learning outcomes?

Taking notes by hand involves more active processing of the material, leading to better understanding and retention. Typing notes can result in shallower processing and a tendency to transcribe lectures verbatim without deeply engaging with the content.

What are some of the reasons why students might perform worse when they use laptops or devices for note-taking?

Students may perform worse because they are more likely to multitask, getting distracted by non-academic internet use. Even when used solely for note-taking, devices can lead to shallower processing and a tendency to transcribe lectures rather than engaging with the material.

Are there any exceptions to the recommendation against typing notes on devices?

Yes, there are exceptions. Students with disabilities that make writing difficult or those who are neurodiverse and have been examined by medical professionals to need typing for note-taking are examples where typing might be necessary.