Intending to help new students in law school, this Guide offers brief explanations about five note taking methods or systems that have some track record when it comes to learning, which takes up the other part of this Guide. There is evidence to support note taking in lectures. Students have a 50% chance of recalling noted information on a test. Non-noted information gives the student only a 15% chance of recalling the information on a test (Aiken, Thomas, Shennum, 1975).
Each note taking method has a best use depending on the circumstance. You are welcome and encouraged to use them all.
Did you ever wonder about what the professor said that you didn't note? Are omissions important or are they of no consequence? In the "Omissions in Notes," several clues are listed about what you're not including in your notes.
Any system is better than none. Think on paper.
Roberta Woods, Creator