Learning to take notes is an essential skill. It involves critical thinking, analyzing and summarizing.

Some methods are better for in-the-moment learning, others for easier studying and others for organizing ideas.

There are various techniques that we can use with our students including giving them:

• Outline method - simple method, based on bullet points and hierarchy, best on computer

• Cornell method -  cornellsystem.pdf  - divided into cue column, notetaking and summary
• Mind map https://coggle.it (free online tool) - visual notetaking system
• flow method -  FlowBasedNotetaking.pdf  - not trying to transcribe but to learn during class. Create a mental image of subject.
• write on slides - write on teacher's printout of slides
• guided questions
• graphic organizers

Some Links

http://www.academictips.org/acad/literature/notetaking.html

http://news.wustl.edu/news/Pages/better-student-learning-diagrams-McDaniel-Bui.aspx

http://www.unl.edu/gradstudies/current/teaching/notetaking

http://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/teaching-and-learning/students-taking-notes/