Partner Article

Notetaking Tips and Techniques

At DisplayNote we are always looking for the best ways to present, the best ways to work and how to make the most of our time and keep on track.

Note-taking in presentations is something we all do differently. Different techniques work for different people. We have developed some tips and techniques- all paper and tablet-friendly- that can help people retain information they learn during a meeting or presentation.

Keep it simple

Make short notes using bullet points and have clear headers. Using index or flash cards is a great way to keep your notes simple and provide a great tool for reviewing information when you are recapping on a meeting or revising for a test.

Mind maps

Popular with some people, not so much with others. Mind maps are great for the more visual note taker and can help to get ideas down on paper when you aren’t sure where to start. Start with your idea or the subject of your notes in the middle of your page or screen. Directly from this you can draw lines that link directly to the key facts or subheadings that relate to the subject. As you note more ideas and themes continue to build out the key facts and subheadings. As you develop this skill you can colour-code certain areas. It’s best to use single words and simple phrases so you don’t end up wondering what your notes mean later on.

Highlighting and annotating

Many people still like the simple functionality of a highlighter pen and this method is popular in apps and on devices. It’s a useful tool for referring back to notes that you took during a lesson or presentation and picking out the points you must review and research further.

Use abbreviations

Learn the commonly used words such as ‘therefore’, ‘because’ etc., or create your own! With the latter, no one will be able to copy your notes.

Audio and visual aids

These are becoming increasingly popular, especially for those using a computer or device to take and record notes. To refer back to something you heard or saw in the lesson or presentation can certainly help to take you back and remember the context of your notes. Recorders and cameras on devices are a great tool to utilise here.

-Paul Brown is CEO of DisplayNote Technologies

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by DisplayNote .