NEWBIE

My notes contain complete sentences, and I often copy or use the same words as the speaker or text

DEVELOPING SKILLS

My notes are shorter than the original. I use some abbreviations and try to write in phrases rather than sentences.

LIKE A PRO

I’m always thinking about how to get the ideas into my notes in the shortest way possible while keeping the original meaning.

NEWBIE

I don’t really think about how my notes look on the page.

DEVELOPING SKILLS

I try to follow an organizational pattern and leave breaks between sections of my notes.

LIKE A PRO

A person looking at my notes could see how the ideas are organized and distinguish the main ideas from the details. I leave plenty of room for later additions.

NEWBIE

If my teacher tells me to revise my notes, I underline, highlight, or circle words without much thought. Otherwise, I rarely go back to my notes until I have to study or use them.

DEVELOPING SKILLS

I revisit my notes once after taking them to mark main ideas, clarify, add information, and divide them into chunks.

LIKE A PRO

I realize my notes are a work in progress and routinely revisit them to make them as clear and complete as possible. Each new encounter with my notes adds a layer of written interaction

NEWBIE

The answers to questions I write on my notes can usually be found in the notes. I don’t spend much time thinking about how the information in my notes relates to me or to ideas outside my notes.

DEVELOPING SKILLS

I write questions in my notes that help me understand the content and think about it more deeply. I add my thoughts about how the ideas in my notes relate to me, to other learning, and to the wider world.

LIKE A PRO

The questions I write about the content are ones I would enjoy discussing intellectually with others to get a deeper grasp on the topic. I try to make as many connections outside the notes as possible to link my learning to a bigger picture.

NEWBIE

I wouldn’t summarize my notes if I didn’t have to. I don’t find that it helps me understand what I’ve studied. I sometimes make general reflections at the end of my summary.

DEVELOPING SKILLS

I write a clear summary that captures the main ideas of the notes. I include a reflection at the end to show how my notes will help me reach my learning objective

LIKE A PRO

Writing my summary provides me with another opportunity to review my notes, this time to capture the most important ideas to make sure I understand the big picture. I include several sentences of thoughtful reflection because I know that reflection makes learning meaningful

NEWBIE

I sometimes find my notes to be useful in studying or in doing things to show what I have learned.

DEVELOPING SKILLS

My notes help me to be successful on assessments and learning experiences that require me to demonstrate my learning. They are a useful study tool.

LIKE A PRO

My notes—with their layers of interaction—are the key to my success in applying what I have learned to a new situation. The process of note-taking has increased my long-term understanding, and I can apply my learning in whatever ways I am asked.