13 Comments
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Aly Mac's avatar

I love this method. A decade ago I was in university level courses trying to “develop” my own system for this using colour coded highlighters and question and lecture summaries in the margins of lined paper. It was so complicated and necessitated specific coloured markers. If only a teacher would have let me know this existed. I learned the Cornell method a year ago and now use it all the time!

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Mea's avatar

I also did something similar. I even went to the extent of writing my own italics for things too!

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Edward Scott Hofland's avatar

Excellent presentation on how to get the most out of Cornell Notes. Thank you. I'll be using your advice.

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Iman Anuar's avatar

What a gold. I am really glad that I came across this article on X. I love to learn and read books, however it feels quite frustrating as I am often forget what I read. You help me to relearn how to learn. I'm going to practice this and hopefully Cornell Method works for me really well!

Thank you!!

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ozioma okoroafor's avatar

This is a thorough breakdown and I'll like to apply this for my post-grad studies. Thank you for sharing

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Dissident Teacher's avatar

So glad to be of help. Don't hesitate to reach out if you need more information in terms of in-class practice.

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Mason Herber's avatar

This is such an informative article. I’m new to this technique but have been experimenting with different ways to optimise learning. Great tips for my own learning and helping my kids. Thanks

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Mea's avatar

I learned multiple ways to take notes throughout my student years, Cornell notes being one of them. I found the concept simple enough to understand, but had a hard time following through. Your post helps tremendously to give me hope I can teach it to my kids.

My fall back method was using Roman numerals for Titles plus A. B. C. For subheaders and then a) b) c) and i) ii) for further subdivision of information. This would include questions with their answers underneath. It was difficult to do at first but I could write incredibly fast during lectures so I could put my notes in order as I took them. Others taught the same method would have to rewrite their notes after class.

I find my kids do not share my tendency to be quick note takers, boy was that a huge popped bubble! They take after their Dad who is more laid back but quick witted. I think the Cornell note taking style, especially starting from book note taking, will jive more with their method of thinking.

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Jul 1
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Mea's avatar

Pretty sure this is spam. How do I report it?

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Charla Lancaster's avatar

How often do you recommend doing this with a high school student? Every reading? Once a week? My children have been educated mostly using the Charlotte Mason principles, but I'm finding with high school they need more than simple written narration. One of my students is dyslexic, so going through a process like this with him seems daunting, if not impossible. Do you have any thoughts to share on teaching this method to someone who is dyslexic?

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Sakina Hassan's avatar

Thank you so much for this! I was always the 'gifted' student and it wasn't until I failed and started working with difficult material that I understood the power of notetaking. I will use this myself and for my kids

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Dissident Teacher's avatar

I'm glad to be of service. :)

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NailPolish's avatar

This is beautiful!! Thank you so much for writing it! It reminds me very much, in spirit, of Mortimer Adler's How To Read A Book, but Adler's book seems to be aimed at the adult wishing to be a more demanding reader, whereas your article is about the parent/adult wishing to guide their child into being a demanding reader.

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