papershine

It’s typically assumed that the primary value of taking notes is as a document for later reference. Good thought, but most notes are so vague and hard to follow that they muddle rather than clarify. The further you get away from the learning event, the more obscure the notes become. The real value of taking notes is how the very action of transposing the given information helps you work with the new ideas.

Graphic note-taking helps you realize both outcomes: engaging the material more fully and creating a useful reference for later. Using images, words, color and movement to capture the presentation accesses the parts of your brain where you keep pictures and visual structures. You build new connections between the latest information and what you’ve already tucked away in your head. And even a simple doodle will help to jog your mind later about the ideas shared in the moment.

The notes below are from Edward Tufte’s recent seminar on Visualizing Information. I filled ten sheets of copy paper with notes like this. I used a black Sharpie and a small set of watercolor pencils. Tufte is interesting, but this task defnintely helped to keep me involved and engaged with the information. Some of the visuals are just silly doodles that kept my pen and mind moving as he spoke. I sketched out basic versions of the graphs, tables and other visuals he referenced in his lecture. These images are available in his books (distributed as part of the seminar fee) but my notes help me see the big ideas all in one place. I only need to go to the book if I’m looking for the details of the actual grpahic.

As I prepared the notes for scanning and loading to papershine, I found myself adding detail. These additions were only possible because of the way I took the notes in the first place. My recollection of this lecture is stronger because of the visual notes. The notes also make me feel confident that I could lead someone else, even who didn’t attend, through the key points of Tufte’s presentation.

And now I recall just how long the line was to get into the rest room.

Image below links to a larger, more legible version.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 7th, 2005 at 12:04 am and is filed under note-taking.