Note taking is a fundamental study skill that is often undervalued in today’s digital age. However, research has shown that taking notes by hand can have significant benefits for learning and memory. In this article, we will explore the power of pen and paper and why note taking is essential for learning.
- Active Engagement
Note taking is a form of active engagement with the material. By summarizing and paraphrasing information in your own words, you are more likely to remember and retain the information over time. Additionally, taking notes by hand requires a more intentional effort than typing, which can help to improve focus and attention.
Source: “Why Taking Notes by Hand is Better Than Typing” by Time Magazine (https://time.com/5165907/note-taking-by-hand-laptops/)
- Organization and Review
Note taking also helps to promote organization and review of information. By creating an organized system for taking notes, such as outlining or mind mapping, you can more easily review and study the information later. This can help to improve retention and recall of information over time.
Source: “Effective Note Taking” by University of California, San Diego (https://students.ucsd.edu/academics/_organizations/tc/note-taking.html)
- Active Learning and Critical Thinking
Note taking also promotes active learning and critical thinking. By actively engaging with the material and summarizing information in your own words, you are more likely to understand the material on a deeper level. Additionally, note taking can help to identify connections between different concepts and promote critical thinking.
Source: “Note Taking: A Research Roundup” by Edutopia (https://www.edutopia.org/article/note-taking-research-roundup)
In conclusion, note taking is an essential study skill that promotes active engagement, organization, and critical thinking. By taking notes by hand, students can improve their retention and recall of information over time. As educators, it is important to encourage and teach effective note taking strategies to support student learning and success.
Thought-provoking question: How can you incorporate note taking into your teaching to promote active engagement and critical thinking among your students?
Sources:
- “7 Tips for Improving Your Note Taking” by University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (https://learningcenter.unc.edu/tips-and-tools/7-tips-for-improving-your-note-taking/)
- “How to Take Better Notes: The 6 Best Note-Taking Systems” by College Info Geek (https://collegeinfogeek.com/note-taking-systems/)
- “The Benefits of Handwriting vs. Typing Notes” by Northeastern University (https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/handwriting-vs-typing-notes/)
