Reading and Taking Notes 1

www.library.qut.edu.auQUT Library

Reading and Taking Notes

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Reading and Taking Notes

Reading

Note taking

Reading and note taking are key skills you are expected to learn during your University degree.

This presentation will show you how to read efficiently for different purposes and how to write effective notes.

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What to expect at University

Students can arrive at University unprepared for the pace of teaching.

– Lecturers move through material quickly

– The student-to-teacher ratio is large, meaning less individual attention.

Students need to be proactive, self-directed and self-teaching.

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Be a scientist

Experiment with different learning techniques to see which ones work best for you.

Visual

Aural

Kinaesthetic

Read / write

Discover your learning preferences with the online VARK questionnairehttp://www.vark-learn.com/english/page.asp?p=questionnaire

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Learning how to learn

Every individual learns differently

There is no right or wrong way to study as long as you are able to learn the material.

However, there are reading and note-taking techniques that will give you the edge.

Interactive Solitary

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Reading

Relaxed reading

Skimming

Reading

Taking Notes

Scanning

Detailed Reading

When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before you write your list of references/bibliography check with your lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list of references.

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Relaxed Reading

Relaxed reading is what you do when you

– Look through a magazine– Browse the internet– Read a comic– Read a novel at the beach

Relaxed reading does not require memorization or concentration

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Relaxed Reading

Relaxed reading is a good way to enjoy additional or optional readings in your courses.

– That is, readings that are NOT to be examined or needed for assessment.

If you find something in your additional readings that could be useful, then you can switch your reading style to ‘detailed reading’. The techniques on the next few slides will help you with your detailed reading.

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Skimming

Skimming is used to quickly get an outline of content.

Skimming establishes the boundaries of what you need to know and what is most important.

Skim a book by reading the table of contents, introductions and conclusions of sections.

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Methods of Analysis Two main methods of analysis are inductive and deductive. They are quite different in the way they work but they are both important in ongoing research.

Deductive analysisDeductive analysis tends to go from the general to the specific. It may start with a theory or model and then this is applied to experimental situations hypothesising about the expected results

Inductive Analysis Inductive analysis starts with specific observations and from these a theory or model is developed. Observations are analysed looking for patterns or regularities. From this the theory is developed and then hypotheses for prediction of behaviour in the future.

Fig 12: Differences in concentration

Skim a journal article or book chapter by running your eyes over the headings, sub-headings, pictures, graphics, captions and words in italics or bold.

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Scanning

Scanning is useful when reading for a particular phrase or topic.

Run your eyes back and forth quickly across the page. Your eyes pick up the words or ideas you are looking for.

Scan readings before writing detailed notes.

When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before you write your list of references/bibliography check with your lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list of references.

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Scanning

Scan when:– Looking for particular key

words when searching the databases

– Finding a particular quote in an article you have already read

– Looking in your textbook for the answer to a tutorial question

When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before you write your list of references/bibliography check with your lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list of references.

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Scanning

Activity: How many times does the word ‘phonetics’ appear in this paragraph?

When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before you write your list of references/bibliography check with your lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list of references.

Phonology can be defined as that sub-discipline within linguistics which is concerned with ‘the sound of language’. It differs from phonetics in that it focuses on the linguistic aspects of the sound of language such as syntax morphology and semantics while phonetics moves more towards aspects of acoustics, neurophysiology and perceptual psychology. It is possible to see many overlaps in research when some subfields could readily be referred to as ‘linguistic phonetics’ or ‘experimental phonology’.

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Scanning

Activity: The word ‘phonetics’ appears 3 times.

When writing assignments, reports, research papers or theses, you must acknowledge quotations, information and ideas taken from other authors through a bibliography or list of references. Before you write your list of references/bibliography check with your lecturer/tutor for the referencing and citation style preferred by your Faculty or School. Whatever style is chosen, it is essential to use it consistently throughout your paper. Remember to note full details of the sources you use while preparing and writing your paper. This will save much time when you later compile your bibliography or list of references.

Phonology can be defined as that sub-discipline within linguistics which is concerned with ‘the sound of language’. It differs from phonetics in that it focuses on the linguistic aspects of the sound of language such as syntax morphology and semantics while phonetics moves more towards aspects of acoustics, neurophysiology and perceptual psychology. It is possible to see many overlaps in research when some subfields could readily be referred to as ‘linguistic phonetics’ or ‘experimental phonology’.

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Detailed Reading

Detailed reading is a close analysis of a text and is how you should complete all the mandatory readings in your course.

HighlightRe-writeUnderline

MapU

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SQ3R Reading Strategy

Survey• Skim or scan a text to determine the structure

Question• Write down questions to focus what you are looking for• Write down thoughts, criticisms and reflections about the content

Read• Read section by section – using all the graphic aids in the text. Relate material to

other ideas in the course or your own interpretation of the content.

Recall• Try answering your own questions in your own words. This tests how well you can

remember what you have read.

Review• Regular reviews increase retention and understanding

SQ3R is a technique

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Detailed Reading –Weekly Readings

How long will it take to read and take notes on all my assigned readings?

– Approximately 10 minutes per page.

However, each student is different and each subject is different, so...

Time yourself readingUse the time it takes to read and take notes of 1 page to estimate how long you need to study per week.

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How to Study Weekly Readings

Time Read Write Think

30min Skim Overview Connect ideas covered in lecture and tutorial.

10min BREAK

45min Detail HighlightNotes

How does the reading develop ideas?

10min BREAK

45min Detail HighlightNotes

How does the reading develop ideas?

10min BREAK

30min Review SummarizeMnemonicsWrite ‘to-do’ list

What needs to be remembered?

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Taking NotesLectures

Assignments

Exams

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Lectures

In lectures

Focus on content that will be assessedUse abbreviationsUse diagrams, different coloured pens, arrows, etc... to quickly convey ideas

After lectures

Read readings in detailReview and re-write lecture notes in your own words Ask questions in tutorials

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Before lectures

Download PowerPoint presentations ahead of time(if possible).Skim slides and relevant readings before the lecture.Write down questions to ask your tutor or lecturer.

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Assignments

Always record the source with the content of ideas.

Group notes by source or topic

Source 1: James and Black (1999)Poverty causes social isolation which has implications for

children’s emotional wellbeing (p.45)Poverty can lead to attention seeking behaviour to gain

recognition by peers (p.16)Economic status not necessarily an indicator of academic

ability or commitment (p.55)

Source 2: Smith (2004)Family poverty impedes children’s ability to interact in the

playground (p.75)

Source 3: Watson (2000)Poverty is socially isolating for children (p.32) Poverty is more prevalent in single parent and indigenous

families (p.14)

Main idea Sources

Idea 1: Social Isolation

Watson (2000, p. 32) Peters (2001, p. 54) James and Black (1999, p. 45)

Idea 2: Behaviour

Smith (2004, p. 75) James and Black (1999, p. 16)

Harvey (2008, p. 95-97)

Idea 3:Commitment

Peters (2001, p. 35) James and Black (1999, p. 55)

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Exams

By the exam study period you should have100-200 pages of notes per subject.

– Approx. 10 pages per week

Reduce your notes to smaller chunks of information 2-3 times before the day of the exam to maximize memory

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Exams

Writing good notes is one of the best ways to retain information.

Write flash cards

Make mnemonics (sentences or words to help you remember )

Draw diagrams

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Image references (in order of appearance)PAGES 1-15Bram Cymet, 'Zoom', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bcymet/3716590450/, ed, 2009, A photograph of a road taken with long

exposure and zoom.In: QutPhoto2634.jpg, ed, 2004, Three QUT students in labcoats work together.dplastino, 'WU MING - Mind Map', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marea/4035666628/, ed, 2009, A multi-coloured concept map.'2students', In: http://www.rcc.edu/students/images/2students.jpg, ed, girl and boy sitting on stairs talking with book on lap.'student', In: http://www.sastt.ca/images/student.gif, ed, illustration of a stack of books.Kevin Paul Jones, 'Day 136: Procrastination', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/53537358@N00/2282744795/, ed, 2008, A Playstation

II controller.herval, 'Wishful Thinking', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herval/26406106/, ed, 2005, Cartoon of girl looking up.Kaitlyn, 'Day 178 - 7-26-09', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kaitastrophic/3760236898/, ed, 2009, A student reads a book lying in bed.MC Quinn, 'Study', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mcquinn/2302027163/, ed, 2008, two girls sit in library studying.dmscvan, 'Thesis Table of Contents - 2006', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/svandermark/184667699/, ed, 2006, Table of contents.Light Rail Now, In: http://www.lightrailnow.org/images02/transit-graph-safety-per-pm-avg-2002-04_lrn.gif, ed, A graph of transit safety.Nicco Mele, 'Multi-tasking', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nicco/3177526738/, ed, 2009.'college-student', In: http://firstnyfcu.files.wordpress.com/2007/08/college-student.jpg, ed, student cross-legged with book in park.Tama Leaver, 'Coloured Contacts', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamaleaver/66740030/, ed, 2005, A green coloured eye.Mark Pilkington, 'Bee perception experiment', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/strangeattractor/154183797/, ed, 2006, A set of

coloured circles for an experiment on bee perception.

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Image references (in order of appearance)PAGES 17-27Karin Dalziel, 'Can't erase the highlighting in Zotero', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nirak/772741433/, ed, 2007, Screen capture of

highlighted text.dplastino, 'WU MING - Mind Map', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/marea/4035666628/, ed, 2009, A multi-coloured concept map.Nick Aldwin, 'Tools of Evil', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/ninja999/2191121767/, ed, 2008, pencil, eraser, page of maths workings.Tama Leaver, 'Coloured Contacts', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tamaleaver/66740030/, ed, 2005, A green coloured eye.Leo Reynolds, 'question mark ?' In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/lwr/12364944/, ed, 2005, A photograph of a question mark with black

border.Mark Wainwright, 'Revision', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/m-a-r-k/504416145/, ed, 2007, A close-up photo of a text book.herval, 'Wishful Thinking', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/herval/26406106/, ed, 2005, Cartoon of girl looking up.QUT, 'Reviewing', In: reviewing.jpg, ed, 2009, A graph showing percentage remembered over time with or without review.Kevin Collins, 'Stopped Watch', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/kevincollins/38513145/, ed, 2005, A stop watch.Alan Morton-Smith, 'Lecture theatre audience', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/mosmi/3709805804/, ed, 2009.Michael, 'Hypergeometric', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pictoral/2377836517/, ed, 2008, Student studying his notes.ccarlstead, 'Eraser', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/cristic/2579854471/, ed, 2008, student in exam.QUT, 'Studying for Exams', In: studying_for_exams.jpg, ed, 2009, Diagram of how to study for exams.J.G. Davis, 'Life cycle of the alfalfa weevil', In: http://www.forestryimages.org/browse/detail.cfm?imgnum=5365593, ed, 2008, A

diagram of the life cycle of the alfalfa weevil.Steve Keys, 'ThinkMac's iKanji 1.0', In: http://www.flickr.com/photos/36645776@N00/2711191611/, ed, 2008, screen capture of

Japanese kanji flash card program.Lee Pilich, 'Music cross-rhythm, what atrocious weather.PNG', In: _what_atrocious_weather.PNG

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Music_cross-rhythm, ed, 2003, mnemonic diagram to help music student remember