Guide to Taking Notes
I hate losing conversations. One way to bring our conversations forward is to document every discussion. Everyone will take notes for our class and post them to our blog at least once this term. If done well, i.e. using these guidelines, these notes will be of great value. They will help me prepare for class sessions and help you and your classmates refresh your memory of what we did the class before. Then later, they will help you prepare for exams and case analysis project. However… if done poorly, i.e. ignoring the guidelines, these notes are worse than useless, creating indecipherable snippets and half finished thoughts.
I will assess your notes using the guidelines below. Here is an example of the quality of class notes I am looking for from another class: Notes from Phil 307 (Bioethics).
(What you find in BOLD indicates criteria for evaluation of your notes)
I will assess your notes using the guidelines below. Here is an example of the quality of class notes I am looking for from another class: Notes from Phil 307 (Bioethics).
(What you find in BOLD indicates criteria for evaluation of your notes)
- Consider taking notes BY HAND... The research is IN on this. See this article which is one of many citing the mounting research. Take Notes by Hand for Better Long-Term Comprehension
- Make sure you post your notes on time. Notes are due 24 hours after the class in which they were taken.
- EDIT your notes carefully. Don’t just throw everything into the post that you happen to have jot down. No stream of consciousness lists. Notice how notes are edited and organized in the sample linked to above.
- KEEP WRITING when you are the note-taker. It is hard work. Constantly think how best to capture what is happening in the classroom.
- If the class period includes small group discussion, note that fact and include what your small group talks about.
- Organize and format your notes carefully before posting.
- Never (never...) post unedited, raw, stream of consciousness notes.
- Half of your job is capturing as much as you can. The other half is editing your notes thoughtfully.
- FORMAT FOR THE TITLE OF YOUR POST: NOTES (SUBJECT) (DATE) (YOUR LASTNAME) ex: “NOTES ABORTION 8.17 MARENCO”