33 Note-Taking Signals
Definition
One-on-one coaching and embedded support to increase note-taking skills.
In action
Provide students with visual prompts (e.g., a hand signal) or specific tools and formats to support recording important information during class.
Support Strategies
- Meet with the student to understand their strengths, needs, and perspective on note-taking.
- Identify specific note-taking problem areas such as identifying critical content, recording content, organization, etc.
- Provide visual (e.g., raise hand, circles or highlighted text in presentation) or verbal (e.g., “take this down”) cues during presentation to signify critical information
- Use partially completed note-taking templates (e.g., fill in the blank) to narrow student focus to essential information
- Including symbols in visual materials (e.g., an asterisk) to indicate the most important details to be recorded
- Give students feedback on their note-taking abilities, such as suggestions for how to organize with headings.
Case Study
Student: A Grade 5 student in science class
Content: The teacher is introducing the class to the digestive system using visuals and asks them to take notes.
Problem: The student is unsure of what information needs to be recorded as there are no words on the slides—only images.
Solution: The teacher provides the student with a note-taking template in advance to help focus on essential information while taking notes.
Additional Resources
- Comprehensive article on evidence-based note-taking supports for students with disabilities from Preventing School Failure
- Brief descriptions on note-taking accommodations from UW
- Podcast and article on background and strategies for successful note-taking supports from cult of pedagogy
- Tips for creative and fun note-taking strategies for the whole class from Edutopia
- Tips on teaching note-taking skills to students with learning disabilities from LDOnline
