With the development of technology, people's lives are getting easier every year. Instead of going to the store, you can order food delivery to your home, pay utility bills online, and important documents can be saved in one application on your smartphone. Educational institutions do not bypass progress. It is not uncommon to hear a resounding knock on the laptop keyboard at a lecture instead of the usual rustling of a notebook.

But is it that effective? In this article, read about the types and methods of note-taking, as well as how to write a note so that it brings maximum benefit.

WHAT IS AN OUTLINE?

A synopsis is an external medium of information that can be used to restore the overall picture and even the details of a lecture. Most often, this information can be found in other media, such as textbooks, magazines, open Internet sources. The question arises: then why take notes? The answer is obvious - when you take notes from the lecturer, some of the information is immediately stored in your head and is easier to use in the future. A well-designed synopsis increases the chances of passing the exam successfully.

HOW TO WRITE AN OUTLINE AT THE INSTITUTE?

Taking notes the old-fashioned way by hand is more difficult and time-consuming than typing on a keyboard. In general, a student can type 2.5 times more information than he would write down the same thing by hand. Especially if the student has bad handwriting, it is easier to understand the typed text on the laptop. But is the electronic format of notes really better than paper?

Back in 2014, American scientists from Princeton University conducted a study that proved the superiority of handwritten notes over the keyboard. Participating students were divided into two groups: in one lecture they took notes by hand, in the other they typed on the keyboard. The made notes were taken from the students, and they had to pass the exam in a week.

The results showed that the participants of the group where notes were taken by hand scored twice as many points. It is worth noting that taking notes by hand is aimed more at moving information into long-term memory. After conducting the exam immediately after the lecture, the result in both groups was approximately the same.

There are two types of note-taking: generative note-taking and non-generative note-taking. Generative implies writing in one's own words, paraphrasing, emphasizing only the basics or, on the contrary, some details, drawing intelligence maps. This allows you to process the heard information.

During non-generative note-taking, you write down almost everything word for word for the lecturer. Obviously, using the second method, you don't even have time to think about the material. Often students do not realize what they are writing down. Typing a summary on the keyboard, you do not have the time limit that allows you to selectively process information and write down only the most important. In the study mentioned above, both groups had one condition - not to write verbatim. However, even generative note-taking on a laptop did not benefit students during the exam.

It may seem that detailed note-taking is an advantage over the old-fashioned way of taking notes by hand. But the price of such an advantage is a more superficial understanding of the material, as well as quick forgetting. Therefore, synthesizing and paraphrasing information will help to achieve higher educational results.

HOW TO FORM AN OUTLINE?

A ring notebook or a binder (ring folder) is suitable for taking notes. It is convenient to write because all information can be structured. This will replace several notebooks from one discipline, where you write abstracts in one, and practical ones in the second. In the binder, you can organize all the sheets, print and attach some additional material (articles, your questions to the teacher, class schedule, deadlines, etc.).

And if you buy a thicker binder, then with the help of divider sheets, you can generally fit several items in it.

Mark your notes palette at the beginning of your notebook. These can be sticky bookmark stickers or text markers - stick on each color (or make a stroke with a marker) and write what it means opposite. For example, the pink marker is the terms you should learn, the blue marker is what you need to understand and remember, the green marker is what literature you should read, etc. In the body of the synopsis, use also:

• Headlines. They can be highlighted with colored markers or capital letters.
• Key points or subtopics. Highlight them along the synopsis, as well as under the heading in the form of a list (as convenient).
• Tables. This is how you systematize certain material, and it will be easy to perceive.
• Illustrations. You can draw them yourself if you have artistic skills, or print pictures and paste them in a notebook.
• Accents. Highlight new terms, concepts, dates, and other important material. This design of the synopsis will allow you to quickly find the most important thing.
• Bookmark stickers. They will help you quickly find the topic you need in the notebook.

The recommendations posted above also apply to abstracts in electronic form.