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Linear and Non-Linear Notes

The document discusses two types of note-taking: linear notes and pattern notes. Linear notes involve writing down information line-by-line, which can include too much information. Pattern notes encourage a keyword system using diagrams and symbols to reduce information and make notes more distinctive and memorable. The document recommends using pattern notes over linear notes as they are more active, creative, and utilize more of the brain during notetaking and learning.

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942 views

Linear and Non-Linear Notes

The document discusses two types of note-taking: linear notes and pattern notes. Linear notes involve writing down information line-by-line, which can include too much information. Pattern notes encourage a keyword system using diagrams and symbols to reduce information and make notes more distinctive and memorable. The document recommends using pattern notes over linear notes as they are more active, creative, and utilize more of the brain during notetaking and learning.

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Linear and Non-linear notes

Linear notes
Taking down information line by line is known as linear note-making. Linear notes
can be quite information packed and this can give a really comforting feeling. However, there
can be problems with linear notes. Problems with linear notes can include the following:
• You can take down so much information you feel swamped by it.
• You take so many notes you never have the time to read them again.
• If you cannot write really fast you lose your place and may start to panic and miss more
information.
• If you leave things out you can feel like a failure.
• All the information looks the same, it is difficult to focus on specific points.
• Although you have not thought about the information, the notes already have a top-down
hierarchy imposed.
• You can be trapped by the way that the lecturer has presented the information.
• It is a very passive form of note-making.
• It only utilizes half the brain. As such it is monotonous and even boring. It does not excite.
How to improve Linear Notes
Cornell University in the USA utilizes an active linear note-
making system. One side of the page is labelled ‘course aims and
assignment’ and the other is labelled ‘notes’.
When listening to a lecture students notes down on the note-
making side – in key word form if possible. After the lecture,
students review their notes, highlighting key words and further
reading suggestions.
Although this appears to be a very pragmatic, even surface,
approach to note-making, it actually encourages reflective
learning as students work to understand how the learning has
been structured over a programme.
Pattern Notes
If appropriate, you might like to point out to students that
you have not used a linear system yourself, but that you
have created different notes on the board – diagrammatic
key word notes. You may have drawn a pattern:
• To defer ordering and prioritizing information;
• To encourage short notes;
• To create distinctive notes;
• Or in order to utilize the whole brain.
The use of memory triggers – symbols, pictures, colour
and highlighting. All these make notes more distinctive,
interesting and memorable.
Advantages of Pattern Notes
• They encourage a key word system.
• You actively reduce information to key words.
• Such notes are short and therefore more useable.
• You do not need to be able to write quickly.
• Notes are not hierarchically ordered.
• Each set of notes looks distinct from other sets notes.
• Information is more easily located within these notes.
• This is an active, creative note-making system that
utilizes the whole brain and thus prompts more
learning.
Successful Notes should have the following

• Source.
• Headings.
• Key words.
• Some structure – things that make the notes
easy to read.
• Mnemonic triggers – things that make the
notes memorable.
• Further reading.
The practice lecture – Note-making from lectures

This gives students the opportunity to practice their


note-making in a safe space. We usually encourage
students to attempt pattern notes – and we stress
that while this advice is hinged around the academic
lecture the same processes promote note-making
from reading. Students should attempt just to note
key words or phrases and if possible to jot them
down in a rough pattern.
You should try to lecture at a reasonable
speed and students should not attempt to write
down every word that you say.

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