ABSTRACT
This chapter provides tips for evaluating one's present note-taking practices. It explains how to use an effective method for taking and reviewing notes. Educational research indicates that students who take notes and review them shortly after class learn more than students who take notes but do not review them. There is more to taking class notes than recording ideas in a notebook or on your laptop. Like reading textbooks, effective note taking and remembering what was written also involves activities in three important stages before, during, and after the lecture. The active and meaningful engagement with class notes by elaborative strategies such as creating mirror and summary questions. This activity should not take more than five or 10 minutes, but the time is very worthwhile. Understanding previous material often provides a foundation for learning new material.
