ABSTRACT
There is a mass of geographical information whizzing around in radio, video and TV reports, specialist documentaries, lectures, tutorials, discussion groups and a lot of written material, including books, journals and newspapers. BUT, just because an article is in an academic journal, in the library, or on a reading list, does not make it a ‘note-worthy’ event. Making notes is time consuming, and ineffective if done on autopilot with the brain half engaged. Note-making that lets you learn requires your brain to be fully involved in asking questions and commenting on the ideas. Noting is not just about getting the facts down, it is also about identifying links between different pieces of information, contradictions and examples. Notes should record information in your own words, evaluate different points of view, and encourage the development of your own ideas and opinions. Note-taking is a multipurpose activity; like snowboarding, it gets easier with practice. Good questions to ask when making notes include: ‘Is this making me think?’ or ‘Am I getting a clearer understanding of the topic?’
