Taking Notes
Notebooks (xx points)
You will maintain a written notebook of ideas, charts, lists, drawings, discussions, reflections, dialogue, mindmaps, cartoons, sketches, ruminations, schedules, criticisms, goals, etc. Date each entry for credit. Place date only on top of the page. Use a different page(s) for each day you want credit.
Why Take Notes?
“And there are two hypotheses to why note-taking is beneficial in the first place. The first idea is called the encoding hypothesis, which says that when a person is taking notes, “the processing that occurs” will improve “learning and retention.” The second, called the external-storage hypothesis, is that you learn by being able to look back at your notes, or even the notes of other people.” – Mueller and Oppenheimer
The third is the increase in positive mental momentum and curiosity. Taking notes focuses your mind. Interacting with the text on the page increases the number of thoughts engaged on that topic. Reading provokes a series of thoughts, one at a time, each one growing your interest and curiosity. Seventeen (17) seconds of focus will change your frame of mind. It will increase your energetic momentum and curiosity towards the topic.
If you are upset about something that might be distracting you, try 17 seconds of thinking about some neutral thoughts. This could be about nature (flowers, cats, dogs, oceans, waterfalls, etc.) or experiences from your past (vacations, friends, hobbies, etc). Add another 17 seconds for good measure. Invest 34 seconds to change your emotional outlook. After you feel calmer, you can put your attention on the topic. Hint, give yourself time to make the emotional adjustment. Emotions follow thoughts.
This woman explains good notes helped her to succeed.
Taking Notes
Mind mapping is a valuable tool for higher education activities. Students can use them for notetaking and reviewing previous lectures. They can also be used for class exercises that stimulate creative thinking. Mind maps work by mental association. They have a magnetic quality where ideas and text attract similar thoughts. Therefore, they can be used to increase student concentration and focus as well as for note-taking and planning.
How Do Mind Maps Work?
Mind maps start in the middle of a page or document with a concise central idea and expand outward using keywords on branches. They move from the general to the specific, with details become more defined as the map expands outward. Fewer words are better than phrases or sentences, but every distinct keyword or grouping of words (or image) should be set on its own line. Be sure the lines are the same length as the word/image they support to conserve space.
It is important to economize on space as reaching the perimeter of the document/paper restricts your thinking. Mind maps are like your computer. They need lots of random access memory (RAM) to do more work. It is like a desk. The more room you have, the more activities you have on it. The larger the page, the more work you can do on it – and the more you can expand into your project’s details.
Some Good Mind Maps
Note-Taking – I decided to keep these images large.
Time Management
On Learning
Criteria for Note-taking
Professionalism
Comprehensiveness
Creativity
Layout
Completion
Additional notes:
– sufficient graphical design and layout
– mindmaps follow recommended structure
– addition of color to highlight and categorize
– doodles and artistic efforts
– professionalism indicated by legibility, organization, CARP
– choice of notebook, size, strength, color suitable for copying
– dates, on top of each page.
– neatness/legibility
– choice of content, review of major points, and relevant insights
– participation in exercises – lists, mindmaps, and other assignments
– listing of major objectives
Advanced Note-taking (for EST 320)
“You will maintain a written notebook of ideas, lists, drawings, discussions, reflections, dialogue, mindmaps, cartoons, charts, sketches, ruminations, criticisms, goals, etc.“
My EST 320 is active class that requires more extensive notes. It is a time for concentration and action. The notebook will be a depository of information and ideas about the Internet and wireless communications. This is a bigger document than the notebook I require for most of my classes. These notes are in more detail and are primarily from my lecture and the videos of the chapters that are made available in a spreadsheet containing the URLs of the YouTube videos and keywords. The objective is to learn from 3 sources. It is a good idea to leave space in your notebooks that you can fill in later.
The notebook is worth 30% of your grade. You will produce a record of your learning from the assigned videos and class lectures. They can be used in the tests and are due after the last test. Please buy a notebook of sufficient size. At the start of each class, place the date on of at least 3 pages. Only 20 lectures are required.
Notebook (30 pts) 1.5 points x 20 lectures (3 pages per lecture)
If you need to check out of the class material – doodle. No laptops are allowed for most lectures. Phones are allowed on the desk for important messaging and some searches. Any use of the phone is limited to 30 seconds. Excessive use of a phone will be considered a class disruption and may result in a loss of attendance for that day.
Each chapter will have 4 dates and should cover roughly ¼ of the content of the videos. Only 1 date per page, Hint: Leave space for follow-up notes and drawings. Mindmaps should always be on a separate page. They need space (RAM) to grow.
Journaling
Hopefully, taking notes develops the habit of journaling. While journaling is beyond the scope of my classes, the process of externalizing thoughts and feelings is an important tool for reflection and personal growth.
This guy has developed an elaborate system he calls VOMIT for the five main reasons he journals. V is for Vent, O is for Obligations, and M is for Mindset and is my favorite. I is for Ideate. Huh? Got a problem. List 30 solutions. And T is for trajectory. Are you moving away or toward your goals?
Ⓒ ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Anthony J. Pennings, PhD is Professor at the Department of Technology and Society, State University of New York, Korea. Originally from New York, he started his academic career Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand before returning to New York to teach at Marist College and spending most of his career at New York University. He has also spent time at the East-West Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. When not in the Republic of Korea, he lives in Austin, Texas.
Referencing this Material
About Me
Professor at State University of New York (SUNY) Korea since 2016. Moved to Austin, Texas in August 2012 to join the Digital Media Management program at St. Edwards University. Spent the previous decade on the faculty at New York University teaching and researching information systems, digital economics, and strategic communications.
You can reach me at:
apennings70@gmail.com
anthony.pennings@sunykorea.ac.kr
About me
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