Isn't all note-taking the same?
While there are many note-taking strategies that apply across different forms and media, sometimes the format of the information does matter, and our note-taking approaches can help us keep track of the information in more effective ways. In these cases, it's a good idea to feel comfortable obtaining, recording, and using information gained from a particular media format (such as a photograph or audio file). On this page, we will introduce a few questions, considerations, and suggestions for taking notes on different formats of information. It is likely that, as you progress in your learning both in and out of school, you will encounter information in the following three forms:
Because you may have been introduced to note-taking on print resources at an early age, this may feel the most natural to you. After all, you can look directly at the text and occasionally transcribe information verbatim. Additionally, it is possible to skim quickly through large portions of text looking for the main idea. Audio information may also feel somewhat comfortable to you, if you are accustomed to taking notes on what your teacher says during class. But perhaps the idea of taking notes on a photograph is somewhat less familiar. However, they too can have useful and important information to convey.
While it would be simple to say that all photos can be "read" in the same way, all lectures can be heard the same way, and all reading requires the same approach, this is simply not the case. Instead, traveling across the various forms requires you to be flexible and adaptive in your note-taking approach.
For all three forms, it is a good practice to ask yourself a few questions such as:
The answers to these questions--and others that you come up with on your own--can help you make sense of both the information and the media format. If you're ready to try it out, head on over to the practice portion of the site, otherwise feel free to explore some of the other topics below.
While it would be simple to say that all photos can be "read" in the same way, all lectures can be heard the same way, and all reading requires the same approach, this is simply not the case. Instead, traveling across the various forms requires you to be flexible and adaptive in your note-taking approach.
For all three forms, it is a good practice to ask yourself a few questions such as:
- What does the format of the information add?
- Is this information available in another form? Why or why not?
- How is my interpretation of the information affected by the media through which it is presented?
- How would the information, meaning, and purpose be different if it were conveyed through a different format?
The answers to these questions--and others that you come up with on your own--can help you make sense of both the information and the media format. If you're ready to try it out, head on over to the practice portion of the site, otherwise feel free to explore some of the other topics below.
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