Note-Taking Strategies and Tips for Online Courses
1. Take Notes On All Course Content
When taking notes for an online class, be sure to take notes on all course material, including
posted video lectures, PowerPoints, readings, and posted activities.
2. Take Notes by Hand
Taking handwritten notes during your online course can eliminate a lot of unnecessary
computer steps.
For instance, you won't have to click back and forth between your class and your typing
document. You won't need to pause videos or lectures you're streaming either.
Simply pull out a pen and notebook and start writing, or use a Smart Pen if you have
one.
3. Don’t Write Everything Down
Research shows that students have a tendency to write everything down when taking notes
during an online course.
This is mainly due to the absence of textbooks, handouts and other materials normally
provided in a traditional classroom.
Writing down as much as possible can actually hurt a student's ability to study. Too
many notes can lead to information overload, limiting the amount of material a student
is able to recall at a later time.
4. Take Notes While Reading
Many online courses primarily involve reading the material and watching lectures on your own.
Experts suggest becoming an active reader in order to get the most out of the material and your
notes.
For example, take notes while reading the material, rather than reading or skimming
through it and jotting down a few notes later.
Mark what catches your eye as you read; if you don't understand something, leave a
question mark in the margin and go back to it later.
5. Be Aware of Repetition
If you notice while watching or listening to lectures, reviewing PowerPoints, or reviewing
posted course materials, that your professor has mentioned the same fact twice or more, or
has repeated a fact that was talked about in the previous lecture, make a note to yourself.