Cornell Method of note-taking

The Cornell Method of note-taking

Note-taking is one of those skills that some teachers assume students know.  But many students have never been taught this skill essential for school success.

The Cornell Method of note-taking consists of sectioning off a piece of notebook paper (or a computer screen) to be used for various purposes.  A visual example and explanation are below.

The Cornell Method has advantages as a note-taking pattern:

• Because the notes are paraphrased versions of the original, the note-taker needs to understand the original lecture or text as he or she takes notes; the note-taker is not merely a transcriber but an analyzer.
• If the note-taker rereads the notes a few minutes after taking them, his or her chances to memorize the information increase since it is stated two or three times in the notes.
• White space leaves room to fill in or clarify original notes.
• If tests come weeks after the note-taking, the note-taker has sufficient notes to study from.
• The unvarying structure of the method appeals to organized people.

The Cornell Method also has disadvantages:

• Creating the blocks and using them properly is an advanced skill inappropriate for young students and even for some high school students.
• Sticking to the format is challenging for students in a hurry, for perfectionists, and for creative types who want less imposed structure in their learning.
• Many students will not reread their notes immediately after writing them, a key factor in the success of this method.