Art of Making Effective Lecture Notes

Have you attended any type of lectures ? Where ?

Have you ever given lecture/Seminar yourself ?

Did you found difficulty to make notes ?

    There are different types of lectures in college or university. It is normally one of a series given by the same faculty as a part of course.  usually, 45 to 60 minute duration during this student listen, make notes , ask and answer questions. The objective of a lecture may be the presentation of a facts and ideas rather than exchange between the lecture between the faculty and the students. At the University level mostly emphasized on interaction and discussion of Idea usually called seminar or tutorial. Lecturers task is not to provide with a neat set of notes just by dictating a summary of textbook. Perhaps with a broader vision give insight on digest of essentials for course/subject, inclusive with several key elements as shown in figure1.

Figure 1 – Core elements for digest of course

   Preparation is the most important task which makes effective time utilization, while attending the lecture/seminar. Sequential notes which preserve the order in which faculty has presented the information or explore the ideas are more appropriate or effective study material. Preparing notes also promotes to remain attentive, concentrate and active participative learning.

   Some students practice to use notebook and take down all their class notes. Further spend time each evening copying notes on different subjects into appropriate file or notebook again. However, it's advised not to make a routine of copying the notes. It's likely to be a time a consuming task and not effective as such. In fact, study time should be utilized effectively  for regular study and improving notes, so that we can learn more about the subject.

 Some topics also requires the prerequisite for understanding. In this scenario preliminary reading aids to understand topic effectively, better preparation of notes and questionnaire as well. 

Notes Making

    Refer to the syllabus for a brief summary, learning objective and references for the course. This will guide you in preparing the outline of studies. In fact, to understand Know how in detail student must attend all the lectures as well as other organized classes or practical. students may also be introduced with the course outcomes performance, evaluation criteria and exam scheme.

   Each lecture begins with a specific title. Hence, it's essential to note the title, faculty/ teachers name, date and time. Then after listening carefully, think and try to understand. One should not be required to write all the words or all the time.  During the lecture refreshing and repetition of terms made to ensure understanding of every student.

Major activities of effective notes making

• Note the main points as the keywords and phrases. use abbreviations or   notations and write definitions carefully as they are dictated.  Also note the conclusions precisely and clearly.
• Draw neat sketches or line diagrams, tables, charts provided by faculty on board.(Students must be allowed sufficient time to study any diagram or Chart displayed in Silence before proceeding to further explanation.) 
• Mark the points that you do not understand.  Usually by a question mark in the left hand margin with red color.
• Clear your doubts and queries at the end of the session. Also note the answers to your questions, it will contribute to your understanding.
• Timely check and revise your notes, as soon as possible at the end of each session, so that ideas and information are fresh in mind.
• Understand the facts and also make corrections and minor additions If required.

   Hence, integrated approach of listening, thinking and understanding, facilitates to move forward more quickly rather than worked with independent approach.

Making Notes in Practical Work

• During practical session, at the start clearly mention date, aims & objective, List equipment. Then elaborate  standard operating procedure (SOP) and note readings/ observations.
• Draw Appropriate diagram with annotation.
• If applicable write a brief report on work mentioning enough details of materials & methods, further it will be useful to other working with a similar investigation.
• Before an investigation, prepare datasheet which will remind us regarding the measurement and ensure complete data collection. Data sheets are tables in which column contains the particulars like entity, Notation, Unit, and measured values. Since data systematically arranged, it facilitates data processing to derive result.

    In practical work, notes must not be made in rough and copied later, rather than it should be legible and written with carefully designed sentences. Remember that, your notes for your own reference, so ensure the readability and understanding later.

 

Organized & Systematic Method

We should either listen to the lecture and then go to a reference book/ other sources of information either from library or online platforms.

OR

Making notes as you follow lectures, Explanations, Arguments and conclusions. Whichever method you adopt. One should concentrate on following points

●     What is being taught/ Learned?

●     Ready to ask/ answer the questions while attending the session.

General Guidelines for writing

1. Use a pad of loose Journal /leaf wide line A4 Size (210 x 297 mm) papers.
2. Narrow lined paper unsuitable for handwritten assignments, since unavailability of space between lines for minor correction.
3. While preparing the notes keep sufficient margin and leave sufficient gap, for further expected to make addition.
4. If possible, write on one side only. Hence, we can insert extra sheets of notes, based on our own observation during practical/ reading and our own insight of the subject.

Advantages using loose paper

Few advantages of using loose paper/Journal enlisted below.

●     Notes on any topic can be compiled together.

●     Pages can be added / removed easily

●     All details on a subject can be kept in one file

●  Normally required to carry only notepaper and writing material. Notes made in different lectures / library can be transferred to the appropriate subject file at the end of day.

How to Improve your writing skill ?

1. Listen & Note

    Lecture notes help to remember and foundation for the further studies. Faculty usually do not see these notes . However, at the initial start of talk, he could say “students notes will be collected at the end of class”. It is intended to identify each student’s ability to Listen, Understand, Recognize, Note Important point, Record supplementary Materials and details.

      After assessment, faculty can able to clarify the students about any misunderstanding. Further it contributes to improve listening and notes making skills.

2. Observe & Describe

A group of students should be asked to study and describe familiar objects, day today life application, event. Differences between descriptions by different students gives their perception and ability to remember their observations and words to express their thoughts. This exercise provides a basis for class discussion on the importance of writing as an aid to observation. Also helps to identify, Possible reasons between their perceptions & descriptions of one object.

3. Think and write

Keep a few sheets of notepaper (Blank) or note pad and pen. So that you can make note of otherwise fleeting thoughts. Make note of useful thoughts as they come to mind. It helps you to arrange your thoughts on any subject and plan your work. Preparing an essay/ article/ report makes you understand about knowing and identifying gaps. This results in deep learning and stimulates further reading.

4. Read Good Literature

  To improve your ability to communicate in writing, read good prose regularly. For example - read books by established author/ leading article in newspaper/ blog/journal. Don't copy any other's writing style . Once the use of words improves, one can continue to develop your own style of writing. Further it reflects your own personality and your feelings for words.

Best Practices for Effective Notes Making

1. Before Lecture

•       Preliminary reading
•      Prepare questionnaire

2. Attending lecture

   Activity of attending the lecture is divided in to following phases as shown in figure 2

Figure 2 – General Phases of attending the lecture

After Lecture

•     Check Notes 
•     Further reading from reference
•     Update information & ideas
•     Record Observations in practical book (If applicable)
•     Think, learn, Remember 
•     Store/Preserve Notes

 

    In this manner anyone can make effective lecture notes for the future reference and revision. Its also clear that notes making involves processing, rephrasing and integrating the concepts for long time retentivity. Its one of the most important soft skill in learning process. Ultimately, “Concise notes will be helpful not only for examination but also for continuous learning process.”

Bridge the gap between information and understanding... Start making effective notes

Prof. Dhammaratna Suresh Dabhade