In the example below, a student used his iPad to take notes, then added a photo and essential questions. There is also software for mindmapping and similar forms of non-linear note taking.
Handwritten notes on the electronic device become searchable, too. Tip 5: Combine handwritten notes with electronic devicesįor tasks like formulas and diagrams, handwritten notes can be integrated electronically using a stylus. Teachers should provide time for learners to pause and reflect on their notes throughout a lesson and in subsequent lessons. Guided notes can be emailed or sent to students using a QR Code. Notes can easily be written, stored and shared on various programs and apps. Word-processing documents can be very effective for the four stages of notes – note taking, note making, note interacting and note reflecting – as it encourages the sharing of notes between study groups. Using track changes in any word-processing program enables students to annotate and add self-quizzing questions to their notes. Give learners the responsibility of researching different apps and sharing the pros and cons of each, gradually building a database of what is available, to be shared by everyone. Teachers can make a contract with students about how technology will be used in their class, and revisit it throughout the term.Īpps and software tools for taking notes on laptops and personal devices are released frequently. Share knowledge of both the pitfalls and benefits of using handwritten or electronic notes. Teachers should collaborate with students to make decisions about the use of electronic devices in classes. Tip 3: Share the responsibility of using electronic devices Designate specific areas of the room for laptop use so that non-users are not distracted. Research also shows that use of laptops is distracting for others around the laptop user as they tend to look at the screens and their learning suffers as a result. This should result in less lecturing, more collaborative learning tasks, use of discussion groups, problem-based learning and case study discussions. Teachers need to take into account students’ attention spans and the perils of multi-tasking. The use of laptops in structured tasks results in significantly more time spent taking notes and related academic activities, and significantly less time sending personal emails, instant messages and playing games during class. For example, have groups use laptops to look up a number of alternative research findings when a new concept - say, climate change - is introduced, then have the groups summarise and compare their findings to the class. Structured tasks use technology built into the lesson.
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Learners need to be taught explicitly how to use technology tools in structured, active learning tasks.
But the fight over whether to use electronic devices for taking notes is a battle that may have already been lost, and it is not an “either/or” problem.