I got yelled at today for not taking notes in one of my lectures. I don't understand, just because taking notes works for some people, it doesn't mean it works for all. I personally learn best when I'm taking in a lecture like I'm watching a TED talk and not worrying about jotting down all the notes. Do we have no choice in school?
Connecting this with Student Engagement
The whole point in engaging a student is to help them learn better. If they are engaged more, they will learn more (that's the goal at least). So if one student is engaged well by taking notes, go right ahead, if another is not, don't force them to take notes, they may not be as engaged in what is actually being said and more worried about their paper.
I know exactly that feeling. I , too, was reprimanded many years ago in a college art history course for not taking notes and doodling. The teacher was appalled until I turned in my midterm. She then came back and apologized realizing I really was listening.
ReplyDeleteI also hesitate to say no note taking as an elementary instructor. It is in elementary and middle school where different techniques for learning, recording, and giving attention are learned and if we do not have students try it out in a serious manner, they may not learn an important method/strategy that will be of great use to them in the future. What is your thinking on this?
I also noticed over time that in certain courses I could (and even needed to doodle) and in others I had to take notes. Does that happen to you?
:)Bonita