The University of Arizona

Faculty Corner: Lesson 5 - Note Taking

Content/Organization/Overview

This lesson discusses things that need to occur before, during, and after lecture for proper note taking to take place. Topics covered include having the right materials, listening and watching for important points, organizing notes into a format, and reviewing notes that have been taken. Activities in this lesson allow students the opportunity to practice using the Cornell Method of note taking, and creating mind maps to reorganize information into a pictorial format.

Common problems that students have in this area:

  • Notes are disorganized
  • Notes do not contain the proper information
  • Students rely too heavily on provided outlines or internet notes
  • Students do not know how to pick out the important points of a lecture

For discussion:

  • Have students discuss note taking techniques they have been taught or currently use.

Activities and Assignments that would complement this lesson:

  • Deliver a mock lecture and provide an example of a good set of notes from that material
  • View a taped lecture and take notes on an overhead
  • Have students develop a system of abbreviation for course material

Follow up:

  • Periodically check students notes to see if they contain the proper content
  • Have students periodically evaluate their own notes.
  • Have students submit 5-67 test questions based on their notes.
  • Have students evaluate and compare notes taken from different classes (ex. Math and psychology).