Note Taking in High School: Should it be Required?
Dr. Kathy Koch on October 24th, 2008 | Filed under Study Strategies
During my seminar about teaching note-taking at the convention I just spoke at in Minneapolis, a teacher asked a great question:
“I have a high school student who says he doesn’t have to take notes. He says he listens well without taking them. Should I force him to take notes?”
Great question! Here are some thoughts:
- Students like this need to prove they can do well without note-taking. How they do on tests is just part of it. Does the lack of notes negatively affect their group work? What if this teacher assigns a long-term project?
- If we know that notes will be necessary for a follow-up assignment or group activity then we should require all students to take notes. If a student like this complains, then I might require daily note taking because having a choice is a privilege.
- I’d make sure these students understand that a notebook of key thoughts might help them next semester or next year if not next week.
- Students who are auditory learners may be able to learn well with abbreviated notes. It’s possible that key phrases that indicate the material’s organization will be all that’s necessary.
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