Note Taking and Note Making
Note taking and Note making A Guide for Students
Dyslexia Services 2009 www.soton.ac.uk/edusupport/dyslexia Education Support
Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................... 3 Note taking and note making ................................................................ 5 Abbreviations........................................................................................ 5 What format suits you best? .................................................................. 7 Formats for notes.................................................................................. 7 Organisation of Notes ........................................................................... 9
2
Introduction
Many students find both taking and making notes difficult but students with dyslexia or dyspraxia can find their specific difficulties make this process even more difficult. Why? Some of the most common specific difficulties are: slow speed of processing weak working memory slow reading speed slow writing speed poor spelling organisation of written material So how do they affect your ability to take notes? What can you do to help yourself? As always with specific difficulties, you need to plan your strategies in advance! www.mindtools.com/ has numerous ideas for study techniques and strategies.
Slow speed of processing If you process information slowly, you may not be able to keep up with what a lecturer is saying. You need to prepare so you don’t get left behind. Is there an outline on Blackboard? Print it off and read it before the lecture. Check you know the meaning of any new terminology. Highlight bits that seem unclear so you can pay particular attention during the lecture. Prepare your papers: name of lecturer, module title, date, page number (very important this in case you drop your file in the pub and all the notes fall out!). Module: Lecturer: Date: Page:
Work with a
Dyslexia Services 2009 www.soton.ac.uk/edusupport/dyslexia Education Support
Contents
Introduction .......................................................................................... 3 Note taking and note making ................................................................ 5 Abbreviations........................................................................................ 5 What format suits you best? .................................................................. 7 Formats for notes.................................................................................. 7 Organisation of Notes ........................................................................... 9
2
Introduction
Many students find both taking and making notes difficult but students with dyslexia or dyspraxia can find their specific difficulties make this process even more difficult. Why? Some of the most common specific difficulties are: slow speed of processing weak working memory slow reading speed slow writing speed poor spelling organisation of written material So how do they affect your ability to take notes? What can you do to help yourself? As always with specific difficulties, you need to plan your strategies in advance! www.mindtools.com/ has numerous ideas for study techniques and strategies.
Slow speed of processing If you process information slowly, you may not be able to keep up with what a lecturer is saying. You need to prepare so you don’t get left behind. Is there an outline on Blackboard? Print it off and read it before the lecture. Check you know the meaning of any new terminology. Highlight bits that seem unclear so you can pay particular attention during the lecture. Prepare your papers: name of lecturer, module title, date, page number (very important this in case you drop your file in the pub and all the notes fall out!). Module: Lecturer: Date: Page:
Work with a