Every day, students need help retaining the information they learn in class, and deciding how to take notes is a pivotal decision affecting education. With all the technology available today, some studies show that pen and paper are still the most effective tools for learning.
Digital notes offer many advantages worth considering. Firstly, they provide a level of accessibility and convenience that paper notes cannot. Digital notes are accessible from multiple devices within seconds, which is very beneficial for students who struggle to begin studying. Another advantage of digital notes is the personalization and customization. Depending on the program, the options are basically unlimited, allowing users to add images, audio, and videos.
Syd Lott, a psychology teacher at Skyline, mentions that some students will open the powerpoint for the lecture and copy the important information into their notes, while also adding their own summarizations of the content, and these students tend to do well on tests. Inserting other resources is a valuable tool because finding other sources of information is important in order to fully understand a concept. This level of personalization can make note taking much more engaging and enjoyable, enhancing retention and comprehension of the material. While digital notes offer many advantages, there are also potential drawbacks to keep in mind, such as distractions like notifications. It is also important to remember to rephrase concepts instead of directly copying them down.
While the advantages of digital notes are promising, it is important not to overlook other methods. Paper also offer their own set of benefits that can enhance your learning. Research has shown that writing notes by hand can be better for remembering content compared to writing digitally. In a 2021 study by the University of Tokyo it was found that “The unique, complex, spatial and tactile information associated with writing by hand on physical paper is likely what leads to improved memory.” Additionally, paper notes can encourage more creativity. Writing by hand gives students the freedom to quickly create sketches or diagrams. Some students might also find it easier to take paper notes because they feel. As one student put it, “I’m faster at taking paper notes than online notes because with online notes there’s going to be a lot of misspellings, and I would always be going backward trying to fix it.” Creating visual representations of concepts can be helpful for clarification. Paper notes also lack the distractions that come with screens. Reducing distractions may allow some people to enter a higher level of concentration which is beneficial during lectures and study sessions. Not needing to use technology to access notes also has its benefits, especially in places with slower Internet connections.
