The Cornell Method
The Cornell method, which was originally developed by Dr. Walter Paulk at Cornell University, provides a system and format for condensing and organizing notes without laborious recopying. This method requires the learner to create a 2 inch left-hand margin. The rest of the page (6 inches for a standard page) is used for actually taking notes. After writing the notes in the main space, the learner uses the left-hand column to label each concept, idea, or detail with a keyword or "cue."
How to Take Notes Using the Cornell Method in GoBinder - Select the Cornell stationery for note taking within GoBinder by right-clicking on a page of notes (only available in GoBinder 2005). You can choose to use ruled or plain pages, but each page will include a vertical rule 2 inches from the left edge of the page. During class, take down information in the six-inch area to the right of the left column. When the instructor moves to a new point, skip a few lines (so you can jump back if the instructor returns to that point or to complete your notes after class). After class, take some time to complete phrases and sentences as much as possible while the lecture is still fresh in your mind. For every significant bit of information in your notes, write a cue in the left margin.
You can later review your notes by covering the notes you took with a card, leaving the left column visible. You should say each keyword or cue out loud and then say as much as you can of the hidden material. After saying as much as you can about the keyword, restore the hidden material by moving the card and see if what you said matches what is written. If you can say it, you know it.
Advantages - The Cornell Method provides an organized and systematic method for recording and reviewing notes. The pages provide an easy format for pulling out major concept and ideas. Note taking using this method is simple and efficient and saves time and effort. This is the best method for taking notes that are meaningful and easy to review.
Disadvantages - None
When to Use - In any lecture situation.
The Outlining Method
Dash or indented outlining is usually best except for some science classes, such as physics or math.
- The information which is most general begins at the left with each more specific group of facts indented with spaces to the right.
- The relationships between the different parts is carried out through indenting.
- No numbers, letters, or Roman numerals are needed.
How to Take Notes Using the Outlining Method in GoBinder - Select a standard ruled or blank piece of ePaper in GoBinder for taking your notes. Select the bullet list or numbered list tool from the GoBinder toolbar. Listen and type notes in individual concepts or points. If you wish to take your notes using digital ink, you will have to create your own indention. In either case, you should use an organized pattern. Broad points or main concepts should be positioned near the left margin. Sub-points should be given proper emphasis based on space indention. Indent each more specific point to the right. Levels of importance will be indicated by distance away from the major point.
If taking handwritten notes, be careful to maintain relative spacing for indentions. Use additional notation, such as roman numerals or decimals if you are not confident in your ability to maintain spacing. Indention can be as simple as or as complex as labeling the indentations with Roman numerals or decimals. Done properly, additional labels or markings are not necessary, since the space relationships will indicate the major/minor points.
Advantages - Well-organized system if done right. Outlining records content as well as relationships. Outlining also reduces editing. Your notes are easy to review by turning main points into questions.
Disadvantages - Requires more thought in class for accurate organization. This system may not show relationships by sequence when needed. It doesn't lend to diversity of a review attach for maximum learning and question application. This system cannot be used if the lecture is too fast. This method also seems to place more importance on large concepts used for groupings than the supporting details. Supporting details can often be more important than the subject category or concept under which they are found.
When to Use - The outline format can be used if the lecture is presented in outline organization. This may be either deductive (regular outline) or inductive (reverse outline where minor points start building to a major point). Use this format when there is enough time in the lecture to think about and make organization decisions when they are needed. This format can be most effective when your notetaking skills are super sharp and you can handle the outlining regardless of the notetaking situation.
The Mapping Method
Maps, which are often called mind maps, are created using the Mapping Method. Mapping is a method that uses comprehension/concentration skills to create notes which relate each fact or idea to every other fact or idea. Mapping creates a graphic representation of a lecture's content. The Mapping Method maximizes active participation, affords immediate knowledge as to its understanding, and emphasizes critical thinking.
How to Take Notes Using the Mapping Method in GoBinder - The Mapping Method is easiest to execute using digital ink on a Tablet PC or other ink-enabled computer. Select a blank note page for your notes. Use your digital pen to record key concepts and draw lines to relate these concepts to each other. You can put circles around the most important topics and squares or other shapes around supporting concepts. You may decide not to imply any importance initially and simply use the number of relationships to determine the importance of some of the key concepts.
Advantages - This format helps you to visually track your lecture regardless of conditions. Little thinking is needed and relationships can easily be seen. It is also easy to edit your notes by adding numbers, marks, and color coding. Review will call for you to restructure thought processes which will force you to check understanding. Review is simple by covering lines and clusters to recall relationships. Main points can be written on flash or note cards and pieced together into a table or larger structure at a later date.
Disadvantages - Unique points are not always clear in lectures. You may miss some related concepts or you may not hear changes in content from major points to facts.
When to Use - Use the Mapping Method when the lecture content is heavy and well-organized. This method may also be used effectively when listening to a guest lecturer or whenever you can not anticipate how a lecture is going to be organized or presented.
Charting Method
If the lecture format is distinct (such as chronological), you may set up your paper by drawing columns and labeling appropriate headings in a table.
How to Take Notes Using the Charting Method in GoBinder- Select a standard ruled or blank piece of ePaper in GoBinder for taking your notes. Determine the categories to be covered in the lecture before the start of the lecture or based on the instructor's initial notes. Set up your paper by creating columns headed by these categories. As you listen to the lecture, record information (words, phrases, main ideas, etc.) into the appropriate category.
Advantages - The Charting Method helps you track conversation and dialogues where you would normally be confused and lose out on relevant content. The Charting Method reduces amount of writing necessary and provides easy review mechanism for both memorization of facts and study of comparisons and relationships.
Disadvantages - You will need to learn how to use the system and be able to identify appropriate categories for the lecture. You must also have the skill to hear and understand each point in a lecture, so you don't miss any important information for your chart.
When to Use - The Charting Method works best when the information presented is focused on both facts and relationships. It's also desirable when the content presented is heavy or presented quickly. The Charting Method can also be used to reduce the amount of time you spend editing and reviewing your notes at test time. You can often use charting to create an overview of the whole course on one big paper sequence.
The Sentence Method
The Sentence Method requires you to write every new thought, fact or topic on a separate line. You should number each sentence as you progress.
How to Take Notes Using the Sentence Method in GoBinder - Select a standard plain or ruled piece of ePaper in GoBinder. If you are typing, use the numbered list tool from the GoBinder toolbar to number each new sentence. If you are using digital ink, you can simply number each sentence yourself. You may wish to use abbreviations or shorthand during the lecture and then clean up and rearrange your notes at the end of class.
Advantages - The Sentence Method is slightly more organized than writing full paragraphs and you are able to capture all of the information from a lecture. You don't have to do extensive thinking or preparation to organize your notes.
Disadvantages - Your notes won't help you distinguish between major and minor points from the numbered sequence. These notes are typically difficult to edit without rewriting the clustering points which are related; however, GoBinder helps to address this issue by allowing you to move or insert entire sections of notes. The notes are more difficult to review unless they have been edited to create relationships with other points.
When to Use - Use when a lecture is fairly organized but the information comes too fast to use other methods. Also use the Sentence Method when you can distinguish between points in a lecture but are unsure how the points relate to each other. The Sentence Method is also useful if the instructor presents information as lists of points, but when groupings are not always clear. Shorthand and abbreviations are useful when using the Sentence Method.
The Note Card Method
The Note Card Method is similar to the Cornell Method in some respects; however, each unique concept or element is captured on a unique note card. Each quote, concept, outline, or summary is included on a separate note card. These note cards can then be reviewed individually.
How to Take Notes Using the Note Card Method in GoBinder - Select a note card as your ePaper by right-clicking on a new page of notes (only available in GoBinder 2005). Capture each topic, concept, quote or related group of points on a unique note card. Insert a new note card as ePaper for each new topic. After taking notes, you can review your note cards by hiding the notes and reading the subject or topic of each note card out loud. Then try to recite the information included on the note card. You can use your note cards as flash cards for review. This is especially useful when studying with others or reviewing as a group.
Advantages - You capture "bite sized" pieces of information and are forced to create organization to conserve space and keep related content on the same cards. This is an excellent method for capturing information for later review.
Disadvantages - The main disadvantage of note cards is that course content doesn't always fit neatly onto note cards. You may need to use multiple cards to capture all related information for the same topic. GoBinder removes the remaining traditional disadvantages of using note cards. Paper note cards often lead to increased use of paper and increase the risk of losing your notes, since your notes are distributed across so many pieces of paper and note cards are typically unbound. If you were using paper instead of GoBinder, you would have to be prepared with many note cards for long lectures; however, GoBinder helps you conserve paper and avoid the risk of running out of note cards.
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