PinkMonkey Electric Desk

Most teachers want you to remember what they say in class. All teachers will talk about the most important ideas. If you can learn these ideas well, then you will make good grades.

Yes, there are at least a couple of problems in addition to those mentioned in Lessons 5 & 6. One problem is that people forget so much of what they hear, as much as 70%.

Another problem is that there is no record to improve recall. After a teacher says something, the words are gone; you can't hear them again. If you don't listen carefully, you can't understand and remember an idea the first time it is presented. Therefore, you have no chance of learning it.

Yet another problem is that it is difficult to pay attention for long periods, so it is natural for attention to wander or to be distracted from time to time. Of course, there is no way to recover the ideas presented while thinking of something else.

Yes, the main solution is to take good notes. In fact, it is estimated that students who take notes can learn from 2 to 7 times more than those who do not. But, increased learning is not guarenteed because you take notes. To improve your learning, you must take notes and review them also.

One problem many students have is that taking notes is unfamiliar and uncomfortable. It seems easier just to try to remember everything.

We suggest that you take notes systematically. By using Preparing, Acting, and Testing you can make your notes help you learn more.

To take good notes you first want to Prepare.

To Prepare to take notes:

1. Make separate notebooks for each subject:  Spiral ring notebooks are good because they are inexpensive and durable. Use a different color for each subject and write the class on the outside cover.
2. Write the date and class topic at the top of a blank page:  You should begin every class on a new page even if you have space from the previous day's notes.
3. Write the date and page number on each page you use for each day:   You will need to do this as you begin a new page.
4. Read your notes from the previous class:  Use your actions to prepare (see Lessons 4, 5, 6), to listen and to think about questions you have about assignments or expectations.

Act as described below to take notes:

1. Listen carefully for main points and important details:  Use your best listening skills (see Lessons 5 & 6)
2. Write the main points in your notes:  Under these main points write important details. Write quickly but clearly so you can read later.

   Don't try to write everything, just the most important ideas. Write these accurately but in your own words. Use abbreviations if you can (see Chart 7.1 for some common abbreviations).

   Remember that you have to stop listening to write so, select carefully the times when you write. Listen for a pause, an extra example, a repeat, or a change in topic to write.

   If you are unsure of the main points, ask your teacher for help. It is best to not write all the way across the page. Leave wide (1" - 1 1/2") margins on the left and right.

   Write in a way that is comfortable for you. You don't have to write sentences, but you can. You can also outline as the teacher talks. And, you can write phrases and words.

   As the teacher talks, write in the way that you find best. You may find you need to change how you write for different teachers because some talk quickly or are more organized than others.

   Finally, you should write what a teacher shows on an overhead or the board. But, be sure to listen also as the teacher talks.

   Most teachers will put several items on an overhead and then talk about them in order. If this is the case in your classes, wait to write each item until your teacher begins to talk about it. This will let you have space to write details in your notes that may not be on the overhead. Write these details under the main topic shown on the overhead.

3. Leave some blank space:  As your teacher changes from one topic to another, leave 2 or 3 lines blank in your notes. Then, begin writing the information for the next topic.

The third part of Systematic Study, PAT, is to Test yourself and your notes. Here's how you do this:

1. After class, read your notes:  You should do this as soon as possible but at least on the same day. As you read your notes, you will discover that you remember things that you have not written. Write these in the spaces you left in your notes.

   If you have things you can't read or that do not make sense, be sure to ask questions and clarify these in your notes. Remember, you will forget 70% to 80% of what you hear within 24 hours, so its very important to reread and upgrade your notes the same day you take them.

2. Next, read your notes again:  This time you want to highlight everything that is important. So, underline main points; put a circle around terms, dates, names; and write questions about things you don't understand.
3. Finally, draw a rectangle at the end of your notes:  It should cover about 1/2 page. In this rectangle write three things:
   1. A summary of the main points in your own words: This should be short and clear. If you are unsure that what you write includes the main points, ask your teachers. It may be a good idea to ask your teachers to read your summaries anyway just to be sure you have accurately identified main points.
   2. The key terms included in the lesson: These may be names, dates, facts, substances, etc. These terms should be the ones you think you will need to know for tests and papers.
   3. Questions about this material: You can write questions you think your teacher might ask on a test and you can write questions about things you don't understand. Be sure to ask your teachers if there is something you don't understand.

To prepare for class the next day, you can read just the ideas in this rectangle. It will help you quickly review main points and terms.

When writing your summary in the box be sure to write main ideas. These are the most important points that your teacher says during class. Some people make the mistake of writing the topics covered instead of main points. Below are two examples. The first illustrates a good summary that states main points. The second is not a good summary because it states only topics.

Example 1 - A Good Summary

The primary purpose of notes is to increase learning. It is best to take notes sytematically and review them regularly. This allows you to control your success.

This is a good summary because it states the main points about taking good notes. These are the main points of Lesson 7 that you would put in a summary if your teacher presented it in class.

Example 2 - Not a Good Summary

The lesson covered the purpose of notes, how to take notes, and how to use your notes. Notes are important.

This is not a good summary because it only identifies topics included e.g. "the purpose of notes" not the main points, e.g., "notes increase learning."

Writing a good summary like the first example will improve your learning and be good for you to review.

For practice, below write a summary of Lesson 6 in the space below. Then compare your summary with the one on the next page.

Sample Summary of Lesson 6

Though difficult when you are not interested, there are actions you can take to listen well. Listening more actively will increase interest and how much you can remember.

This is one example of a summary of Lesson 6. Other summaries could be just as good but should include the main point that listening can be improved through your action. Other important points are that interest can be increased, concentration improved, and memory enhanced through specific actions.

Get a notebook for each of your classes and label each. For the next few weeks, you may want to use Form 7.2 to help you complete your test part of good note taking. You can make copies of Form 7.2 and tape them into your notebook when you have them completed.

Lesson #8
Lesson #6

[PinkMonkey.com] ©Copyright 1991, Thomas M. Sherman. Further distribution without the written consent of PinkMonkey.com, Inc. is prohibited.