An adult student must have the ability to read a paper or a chapter and understand the material independently, outside of the classroom. One of the best approaches to be sure that this happens effectively is to take notes while reading, writing down the ideas and thoughts inspired by what's being read.
Most students are taught to highlight while reading. This is often somewhat useful, but merely highlighting does little to boost the understanding of what's being read. Highlighting is a successful method of finding a verse later, as is underlining and even making comments in the margin. However, none of these are as effective as taking notes.
The Intent behind Taking Notes While Reading
The reason why the student is reading something is, usually, to get an understanding of something that has been previously not understood, or at the least to boost the existing understanding of the material. Often, the reading assigned to a grownup student is more condense and full of information than reading done in grade school. Thus, the reading may be more difficult.
The objective of taking notes while reading is two-fold. On the main one hand, the student is trying to know what has been said, and to incorporate that understanding in a more substantial picture of the course or goal of the reading. This purpose means that the student must understand not just this content but in addition the structure of what's being read. By taking notes while reading, this structure can often become clearer, more easily understood. On the other hand, the student does not need to read the material significantly more than is important; after all, the student is working within a time frame that can sometimes put constraints on the quantity of time spent in the reading. Having to read the material more times than is important could be a waste of time. This doesn't mean that the student will browse the material only once; in many cases, multiple readings are needed. But readings should not be wasted. By taking notes, the material may be understood faster and more effectively.
How to Take Reading Notes
Unlike the classroom, the student has the opportunity to read the material significantly more than once. This fact means that the technique of taking notes may be more deliberate; the student can take some time needed to produce a set of structured notes, as opposed to utilizing a method of note-taking that minimizes time. For this reason, probably the very best method of taking notes while reading is by using an outline. By creating an outline, the structure of the material may be more easily understood.MyReadingManga
The outline should be constructed as a series of layers, as opposed to looking to get the whole outline completed with one pass. The very first layer should be on the basis of the structure of the reading; if section headers are provided, these may supply a readily available initial structure. Within each section, the very first thing to determine is the goal of the section. Is this section putting forth a quarrel? Can it be explaining a concept? Providing a good example? Once the purpose is decided, this should be written underneath the section heading.
Following the section's purpose is decided, the reader then needs to include the details. I have discovered that doing this twice and comparing the outcomes creates the most truly effective notes. Browse the section through, creating an outline on the basis of the reading. Following the section is performed, the student usually has a much better understanding of what that section of reading is doing. Then reading the section an additional time, developing a fresh outline provides a fuller understanding. Whether this second reading is performed soon after the first is entirely around the student. With particularly difficult sections, having a break involving the readings provides a fuller perspective on the reading, developing a better outline.
Once the outline is created, it ought to be reviewed for completeness. Is anything in the outline unclear, confusing? In that case, then a student has two options. Either he can reread the material, buying clearer understanding, or a question may be designed for the following class, looking a clearer understanding from the instructor.
Reading Technical Material
This technique is most effective in material where claims are made and supported, such as for example in economics, design principles, or surveys. Technical writing, such as for example mathematics and electronics, require a slightly different approach. The important thing sections for technical material are often not the sections provided by the reading material nevertheless the formulas being presented. Once the formulas are presented, then a outline should provide first an explanation of what's in the formula then at least one example; more examples are useful if the material is not clearly understood the very first time.
Practice makes Perfect
When there is any academic activity which improves with practice, it is reading and taking notes. Initially, the student will see the endeavor difficult and fraught with uncertainty. Working together with others, comparing notes and examples, may be of immense help when learning how to take notes on reading material. While the student practices, however, she will notice a remarkable improvement. As in a great many other efforts, persistence in reading and taking notes pays off.
