Note-taking skills

During the learning process learners have to analyse information from different sources and organise it creatively to suit a particular purpose. The main goals of note-taking are remembering and recording. Note-taking is: analytical, organisational and creative. Usually people take notes for:

	recording information for future use and sources of information
	better understanding
	writing different study materials
	summarising and memorising
	revising (especially for exams)

Note-taking is a range of different activities: watching, listening, reading, questioning, answering, summarising, writing, structuring, etc. It could be seen more as a strategy than a skill and requires flexibility. It could make study more satisfying and help to sort out the meaning of a large amount of information.

Types of notes

There are different types of notes. Some examples are:

Linear Notes

They are in the form of lists or concise prose (short sentences). The main features of good linear notes are: headings, sub-headings, conciseness, underlined or highlighted key points, suitable layout.

Mind Maps

The term is used by Tony Buzan in his book "Use your head" for defining a group of diagrams, known as "ideas maps", "spider diagrams", "spray diagrams", "flow diagrams", "patterned notes", "wheel diagrams", "creative patterns" or "starburst notes".
The main features of "mind maps" are:

	clear defined central or main idea
	importance based structure - the more important an idea is, the closer it is to the centre
	visibility of links between ideas
	openness to adding new information

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Combining Types of Notes

Different notes on one subject (topic) could be combined in one portfolio; annotating plus highlighting notes; 'block notes', some handouts, etc.

Sketches

A type of note without words, using symbols, images and drawings.

Whichever form of notes has been used it is important to draw the attention of your learners to some opportunities for more effective note-taking by:

	using different coloured highlighter pens
	leaving free space around their notes
	writing on one page (one side of sheet)
	using headings
	ordering information
	using a cross-reference system
	using symbols and own shorthand for words (shortcut)

The purposes of learner notes

Explain to the learners that the purpose of note-taking determines the types of notes used. You can ask learners to connect the purpose to the appropriate form of notes.

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The content of notes

Notes are not the full copy of seen, read or heard information. They may contain: the main and initial ideas, key points, clear references, useful shortcuts (abbreviations), symbols labels and numbers.

As an adult educator you can help your learners to develop their note-taking skills by advising them to

	put things into their own words rather than copying exactly or using the teacher's language
	make patterned notes (e.g. by using both verbal and visual memory)
	develop their own system to highlight points (e.g. different colours, sizes of writing, boxes, handouts, mind-maps, etc.)
	review their notes
	work together in small groups informally (if possible) to improve their notes

How to keep and store the notes

There are different ways for note-keeping and storing by using files, folders, computerised database, boxed card-file system, notebooks, diaries. You can suggest to your learners some ideas for storing their notes:

	Find a space which won't be disturbed
	Use colour coded files
	Use dividers/tabs to divide into sections
	Paginate
	Use a card index system for summaries
	When keeping information on a computer use one file for each subject area and make sure you keep a backup copy

Because of the importance of note-taking you may wish to spend some time helping learners to improve their note-taking skills. It would be good to devote a special session to this topic. At the end of the session you could ask learners to check their new level of note taking skills and to identify actions needed for improvement.