From school, to college, to work- one thing that had stayed constant is my use of writing as a medium for learning. Whether it be for cognitive purposes or for metacognitive, I have filled notebooks after notebooks after notebooks.
Writing can help create systems for lifelong learning and two essential elements of that are:
An effective Note taking method; and
A system for reflection
Effective Note Taking Methods
There are many note taking methods that one can use depending on the context as well as ease and convenience for the note taker. We are going to look at 3.
3 Common Note Taking Methods are:
Outline Method - Here you do exactly that. You organise your notes as per main ideas and using bullets for sub topics and supporting arguments.
Cornell Method - It is slightly more structured than the outline method. You use a layout to organise your notes. Your page is divided in 3 columns - the left column is for key words, cues, for easy review, any questions arising, the broader right column for making detailed notes and the bottom section for writing quick summary of that page.
Mapping Method - Here you use arrows to map out the information. It is a great method to use when you have complex interrelated topics.
My advice for choosing a note taking method is the same advice for physical workouts- Do the one that works for you!
Here are some questions I would like you to ask yourself around note taking:
Most of us take notes, but only some of us take good notes.
It’s a skill, just like cooking. You have to do it a lot, balance out the ingredients, and experiment with the recipes to have an amazing dish.
A system for Reflection
The next system is a system for reflection. We have to reflect on our learning - how much we have learned, how much we need to learn, where we struggled, how we overcame it - it teaches us about who we are as learners.
To set up a system of reflection, you can take the following steps:
Ask yourself, what do you want to get out of reflection?
Do you want to reflect daily or periodically? For example, when I was learning how to play my ukulele, I only reflected on my journey when I had come to the end of it.
Write your reflections- writing helps you clarify your thoughts, and new things will emerge for you as you write.
Be honest and non-judgemental- Reflection needs to be a safe space. Whether you got frustrated, wanted to give up, felt like you did not put enough efforts, go beyond the symptom and try to come to the why.
Make it a practice! Do it regularly and be deliberate about it.
Both of these systems can help us deepen our learning and become better learners.
What are your note taking and reflection systems? I would love to hear about it, share the same over email or by commenting.
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Keep Learning!
Adios,
Avni