Journal of Nanzan Junior College #28: Creative Note Taking and Study Skills (cont'd.)

• Kesselman-Turkel and Peterson's System - Kesselman-Turkel and Peterson's (1982) approach to note taking is also eclectic. One of the key features of their system is separating facts from opinions and analyzing information bias. Though this may promote critical thinking skills, during live lectures it is hard to categorize information in such ways. Their ideas are particularly useful when reviewing notes which have already been taken (as a review activity).
  Kesselman-Turkel and Peterson also suggest using extensive symbols and abbreviations to keep notes compact. And with block-style and outline-style notes, memory cue columns are recommended.
  One of the formats they suggest is placing the main idea of a text or lecture in the center of a page and graphically representing sub-ideas emanating from it. This technique has been referred to as semantic mapping (Harf, 1971) and mind mapping (Buzan, 1974). This approach is especially useful when dealing with long lectures or reading passages. Fig. 4 illustrates a main theme from Richard II using this format.
  
  
  Figure 4. A graphic representation of the central theme in Richard II based on a note taking model suggested by Kesselman-Turkel and Peterson (1982).
  
  
• Lim and Smalzer's System - In 1990 Lim and Smalzer published a text for ESL/EFL students designed to enhance content-based note taking and listening skills. Their approach emphasizes the value of pre- listening/reading prediction, activating core concepts, and post- listening/ reading accuracy checks. The authors acknowledge that foreign language students often need extra help with vocabulary in order to take effective notes.
  Instead of focussing solely on note taking, they present a range of listening tasks, and periodically mention ways that note taking techniques can be used to capture key information. Many of their ideas are inspired by schema theory (Carrell and Eisterhold, 1983). The value of discussing topics before listening to lectures is underscored. Curiously, Lim and Smalzer mention nothing about review.
  Fig. 5 represents an abridged application of Lim and Smalzer's ideas for an English literature class on Richard II. Full notes on this topic are available at www.tnewfields.info/read/R2.htm.
  
  
  Figure 5. Some pre- and post- reading activities for a literature class on Richard II based on concepts by Lim & Smalzer (1990). [Abridged]
  
  A salient feature of the material in Fig. 5 is the way teachers are supposed to help students take notes and consolidate the main ideas of a lecture. Lim and Smalzer maintain that students in general (and foreign language students in particular) will take better notes if they are well prepped. Echoing Kiewra (1985), they suggest that the accuracy of student notes be checked, since many students either miss key information or take wrong notes.
  
  

Figure 6. A comparison of note taking systems recommended by Pauk (1974), Fry (1996), Van Blerkom (1997), Kesselman-Turkel and Peterson (1982), and Lim and Smalzer (1990).

1. Use advance organizers - Before starting a class, briefly overview of what you plan to cover. This often helps students follow you more easily and organize their notes in a logical way (Ausubel, 1960). A good way to provide an overview is to give students a lecture handout with skeletal notes. However, make sure students understand skeletal notes are meant to merely supplement to their own notes - they are not adequate alone.
   
   
2. Help students with jargon - Foreign language students in particular are often confused by unfamiliar jargon. Since most academic disciplines have some specialized vocabulary, teachers can help students master jargon in several ways. One way is to provide a glossary. Another is to write out significant terms and explain them. Yet another way is to encourage students to use "vocabulary notebooks", which are personalized dictionaries containing words unfamiliar to them. Schmidt and Schmidt (1999) have described how ESOL students often benefit from such materials. A sample vocabulary notebook by the author for Act I of Richard II appears in Fig. 7.
   
   
   
   Figure 7. A sample vocabulary notebook for Act I of Richard II (abridged).
   
   Foreign language learners might want to add notes in their native language to improve comprehensibility. Encourage learners to experiment until they find a format which suits them best.
   
   
3. Make clear transitions - Some students have a hard time knowing when one topic ends and another begins. By providing clear verbal and non-verbal signals during topic changes, more students will take appropriate notes. If instructors use phrases such as "Now let's consider . . ." and pause briefly between sections, most students will understand a new topic is being introduced. EFL students might need to be reminded of what transition markers are commonly used by lecturers.
   
   
4. Summarize regularly - At the end of each lesson, briefly summarize the main points covered in the context of the entire course. By helping listeners understand how what has just said fits into a bigger picture, they will probably remember more (Baird, 1974).
   
   
5. Speak clearly and vary your voice - A clear voice which is varied in tone makes the task of note taking easier. Teachers with soft voices should be encouraged to use microphones.
   
   
6. Extra Help - Teachers can help students having problems keeping up with classes in several ways. Some students might benefit from taking study skills seminars such as those offered by Breitenbach (1999) can also be of value. Finally, teachers at larger institutions can refer students to learning resource centers, which provide remedial instruction and teach basic study skills (Pearson and Butler, 1973).
   
   
7. Encourage regular review and reflection - Some studies don't seem to recognize the difference between regular review and cramming. Note taking should be viewed as one part of a wider strategic learning cycle which includes consolidating, reviewing, and questioning. Therefore encourage students to review their notes regularly.
   

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