Over the past few years, many students have ditched pen and paper for newer technologies. Whilst the number of students using electronic devices to take their notes was as low as 37% in 2005, that number has more than doubled 20 years later. But despite its popularity, is working digitally actually effective, and if so, how can students get the most out of digital note taking?
Read on to find out:
- How digital notes compare to handwritten notes
- The pros and cons of digital note-taking
- 4 tips to help students take effective digital notes
Addressing the digital vs. handwritten notes debate
First, we need to acknowledge the common concerns and questions around digital note taking. How do electronic notes compare to writing by hand? Do students still absorb information if they aren’t using pen and paper? Do they help students to write more notes? Does this lead to better grades?
The drawbacks
As technology becomes more common in the classroom, many researchers have been studying the transition from pens to devices. Unfortunately, several disadvantages have been discovered.
A variety of studies indicate that students who take notes digitally, as opposed to by hand, can experience a drop in test scores (you can read more about this in our blog, Typed vs Handwritten notes: The latest research). This is often linked to the fact that students take a larger amount of notes when working digitally, often transcribing lectures verbatim rather than processing the presented information and creating summaries. This can mean students do not try to understand the content or attempt to record it in their own words, which can hinder their memory and comprehension of a topic in the long run.
The benefits
Despite its drawbacks, the popularity of digital note taking is in part a testament to the benefits it presents.
For example, students usually take digital notes on laptops and tablets, both of which are highly portable and can store huge amounts of notes. Writing notes with digital tools also makes it easy to integrate visual elements, such as graphs, diagrams, and copies of slides, which can be a great aid in comprehending complex ideas. Plus, one of the great advantages digital notes provide is the fact that they are editable, enabling students to correct or expand on their notes, both as they write them and when they come to review the material later.
Top tips to improve your digital note-taking
So, how can students avoid the drawbacks of digital note taking whilst capitalising on its benefits? Everyone has preferences when it comes to taking notes, but here are some things to consider to help optimise the process:
1.Summarise, don’t transcribe
As mentioned, one of the drawbacks of computerised note taking is that students often write down lectures almost verbatim, leading to a poorer comprehension of the material. A potential way of avoiding this issue is to remind students that their notes should be a summary of the key content, written in their own words. This means engaging with the information presented and, with the rise of AI technologies, avoiding tools that write notes for them.
By being intentional in their note taking, students can reap the benefits of digital tools without sacrificing their understanding of the material.
2.Combining handwritten and digital notes
Another way of getting around the issues of digital notes is to hand write on digital devices. As technology has progressed, typing is no longer the only method of electronic note taking; writing with a tablet and stylus is now a popular method that can combine the best of both worlds. It encourages students to summarise the material in their own words while also leading to the production of editable digital files.
The research suggests it’s almost, if not as effective for memory and comprehension as handwriting notes; in a study by UVA Wise, students who used a stylus experienced similar boosts in course grades as students who handwrote their notes, in comparison to keyboard note takers.
3.Use voice notes to support text notes
Just like the rise of styluses in classrooms, alternative note taking technologies are on the rise too. In a study by the University of Oregon, researchers tried to compare the effect of taking text-based and voice-based notes; that is, only typing out notes versus making voice recordings of themselves too.
They found that students’ comprehension of texts benefitted from taking notes both ways. Additionally, they found that the test scores of students with SEND did much better when taking voice notes as opposed to typing. This suggests that both methods may present unique advantages for different students. Why not encourage your students to try both methods of digital note taking to make sure they’re not missing out on a great method that works best for them?
Final thoughts
Digital note taking does have its drawbacks, but with a few rules and tips, it can be a worthwhile method for some students. It allows for speed, convenience, and versatility, often making it easier to categorise and manage information. The key lies in finding a balance that still provides the benefits of handwritten notes while leveraging the unique advantages that technology offers.
