Re: What kind of notes do you give and how do you give them?
Posted by: Terry on 7/01/09
Well, it does seem to me that you are purposely trying to
stir the pot.
That said, note taking doesn't have to be boring.
Everything is what you make of it. I do both, let the
students choose AND guide them to choose. I strive to
teach them how to look for what is important in non-fiction
text and to take notes on it.
Don't make assumptions about what my style of teaching is.
I do many projects, labs, visit internet sites, use Voice
Thread and Wiki, bookclub,etc. On Fridays we do only group
work.
However, I'll repeat that note taking is a very important
skill. My lowest achievers usually are most thankful to
learn something that helps give them a handle on studying.
Yes, I agree that this type of studying does not yield the
best or long term comprehension necessarily but is needed
in college and if used hand in hand with the rest creates
maximum results.
Final note: I am so sick of the constant tendencies in
education that it has to be all this way or that way
(thinking whole language here). I have been teaching over
20 years and I have always avoided the trends and gone with
what my instincts tell me and that is that balance is
key...whatever the current "buzzwords" are.
On 6/30/09, Michael wrote:
> Greetings All,
>
> How art thou?
>
> First off, I am not trying to start an argument, just
> trying to see the thought processes on the other side.
> I like this site, I learn a lot from others, but when
> it gets nasty, it makes me wonder.
>
> Note-taking has to be teacher-centered. Unless it's the
> students who are choosing the material that is
> important enough to copy down, but I rarely see that.
>
> Is note-taking a skill? Sure. Is it a skill that
> demands the students practice it every month, week,
> day? Doubt it. I think we have all seen the scale that
> shows direct instruction or note taking statistically
> produces the lowest results in terms of comprehension.
>
> When I first started teaching, 10 years ago, I had
> several ELL kids who were fantastic note takers, some
> of the best in the class. But when I asked them what
> they learned from their notes, they never had an answer
> more than a regurgitation of my own words.
>
> As for teaching to the test, I agree, if my
> principal/supervisor says raise the test scores, then
> yes, I guess I will have to lecture from time to time.
> However, I would never publicly proclaim that it is the
> best, or even a good way to regularly spend class time.
>
> I guess what I am trying to say is that note-taking is
> typically boring, invites little input from students,
> and seems more like an easy way for the teacher to stay
> in control and get the kids to behave. How can that
> possibly be better than methodology that is
> challenging, collaborative, and inspires critical
> thinking.
>
> I'll say it again, hopefully it will work, but I am
> simply just trying to have a rational conversation. But
> part of me feels like I am poking a stick in a bees'
> nest.
>
> ---michael "it won't stop raining in Jersey" :(
