Taking Notes

A good friend of mine asked me if I take notes when learning from something other than a lecture. For example, if I’m learning javascript from a book or the internet, do I take notes? This is a great question and I appreciate the point for reflection. I’m glad he asked. My quick answer is absolutely. My full answer is a mess. Let’s dive in.

I’ve always experienced an unsettling ability to see what and how people are thinking. This is both useful and troubling, but I digress. The point I’d like to make is that I’ve had remarkable experiences with difference types of learners. I thought the concept of auditory learners was a long shot until a night with one of my good friends in Brasil. I’d assumed an auditory learner was someone who retained audible information more readily than the next guy, but I was astonished to find how strongly biased he was and how it seemed to shape his personality and passions.

The point I’m getting at is that we all learn differently. I learn best visually, with diagrams, preferrably chunked heirarchically, and retain information abstractly. My friend in Brasil learns best audibly, with linear rhythms and has a far more effective long-term recall. I suspect my javascript friend is more like me so here’s what I recommended.

I’ve never more effectively learned than in a classroom with visual diagrams, accompanied simultaneously by audible explanation, all while furiously taking notes in my ever-developing personalized shorthand. Of course, classroom learning is for acing tests and graduating with honors. Outside of the classroom, be it Wikipedia, w3schools or a text book, the goal is a bit different. Know yourself and know your goal.

If you’re a visual learner who’s accustomed to taking notes, break out the highlighter and notebook or wordpad and take notes. Better yet, write an article about it at HaleCollege so the world can benefit and you’ll always know where to find it ;). If you’re interested, click on the Contact Us button in the Wibiya toolbar at the bottom of your screen.