Sidebar Sidebar
Become a MacRumors Supporter for $50/year with no ads, ability to filter front page stories, and private forums.

Best way to take class notes?

For what it's worth, I think the best way to learn is to be in class and engage with the instructor. If you are busy typing and futzing around with gadgets, it can distract you from the materials that are being presented. Some people take the approach of just transcribing everything and then studying it all later. I find that actually watching the instructor and thinking about what they are saying... instead of concentrating on transcribing, can boost my memory of the material being presented.

My approach is to use a digital recorder and a pen with spiral notebook. I record the entire lecture while taking simple notes and spending most effort in sketching out the diagrams and actually listening to the professor. This frees me up to engage in what is being said, maybe even ask a question or two, without worrying that I'm falling behind on my note taking.

At the end of the day, or during a break, I listen to the recording and type the notes into the computer. Since I already know what the instructor is talking about, I can create better notes while serving as a way to review the materials. The only problem with this method is that you can get lazy and stop taking notes and then not get around to rewriting from the recording. If you don't have something to backup what the instructor is talking about, you can get lost. But with a touch of discipline, I think this method is very effective.

Sometimes I also take a snapshot of the board if the instructor draws out elaborate diagrams. I also pressure the instructor to put any diagrams online in pdf format for download. If you ask, they usually will do it.
 
To receive the most of a class, you should first be attentive to the teacher/professor. After that, each to their own.

I personally write down with pen and paper the ideas that seem most relevant to the teacher's lesson, this allows me to underline, circle, link, etc. There was also a time at which I used tape recorders, but if I had to listen the same 2 hour class again every day I would grow old. Instead I just recorded the last class before an exam in which teachers usually wrap up the contents.

If you just want to take note of everything, go for a laptop and type it all in, if of course you are a faster typist than a writer (not all that hard). But when you start paying more attention to your "devices" than to the class itself, that moment you are doing something wrong. Classes should be immersive after all.
 
I'm postgrad Econ. Tried taking notes several times using laptops, but found pen and paper the best.
 
Can a voice recording app on the iPad replace an actual voice recorder? If yes, then I'm definitely getting an iPad(since I'm gonna get it anyway).

*****, just noticed that this thread was started in 2007.:eek:

:apple:s away~
 
  • Writing utensil + notepad for formulas.
  • Word for typing down notes.
  • Evernote for pics and notes you want to sync.
  • Dragon Dictation app for recording lectures.

Done deal.
 
YEEZY said:
  • Writing utensil + notepad for formulas.
  • Word for typing down notes.
  • Evernote for pics and notes you want to sync.
  • Dragon Dictation app for recording lectures.

Done deal.
Click to expand...
I think you should add a digital camera/iPhone in there to take snaps of diagrams.

BTW, how much will Dragon Dictation cost?
 
Last edited:
I am a physics major.

I would say take notes in a note book or get a tablet that you can draw diagrams with. I use a wacom for graphic art stuff and it works great for making quick diagrams.
 
jamesi said:
inky black pen on yellow legal pad. i feel like i remember it if i write it, and it doesnt work that way for me with typing
Click to expand...

I agree, then transfer my notes to word/pages to relearn them.

I realized when I was taking exams I could actually visualize my notes (even the scratch marks and doodles) on the legal pad more than the printout after I restyled them into the computer.

Amazing how the brain works ;)
 
I study law (all text, no math and diagrams).

Since I switched from pen+paper to MBP with Pages I couldn't be happier. Not only can I record more of the lecture (much faster at typing), but I can actually understand my notes now and the easy storing/backup and search is very helpful, and you can share your stuff without being stuck without it for a couple of days. In addition, typing lectures is actually much more fun than wrecking my fingers with a pen, so I don't dread boring classes anymore ^^ ... well, not as much.
 
eXan said:
I study law (all text, no math and diagrams).

Since I switched from pen+paper to MBP with Pages I couldn't be happier. Not only can I record more of the lecture (much faster at typing), but I can actually understand my notes now and the easy storing/backup and search is very helpful, and you can share your stuff without being stuck without it for a couple of days. In addition, typing lectures is actually much more fun than wrecking my fingers with a pen, so I don't dread boring classes anymore ^^ ... well, not as much.
Click to expand...

yes for just typing a laptop is great but for engineering its basically a paragraph of text followed by 1-2 pages of diagrams, equations and example problems per topic covered. This is why laptops are not that great for note taking while in class, however if you were to use a laptop to make very in depth notes after class while the info is fresh and then merge the math and diagrams then that is great.

I got a ME degree and tried taking notes on my MBP but it just didn't work out, if I had to do it over again I would use the method from above.
 
Lots has already been covered -

but don't forget the ability of some programs to also record audio notes; Evernote does a nice job at recording audio - which when combined with pen+paper (seems to be the consensus on what's best for your subject) might be really useful.

Interesting no one mentioned the light scribe pen (records audio which is synched to pen&paper notes on a special paper).

Edit - THX1139 mentioned recording audio - nice post!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Register on MacRumors! This sidebar will go away, and you'll see fewer ads.
Top Bottom
Back