“It doesn’t matter how you record your notes, as long as you do.”
Bill Gates
Writing boosts our retention as an act of reflection and retrieval.
Writing taps into three critical steps to synthesize concepts and ideas into our own understanding.
- We are first required to retrieve information we’ve heard.
- We then elaborate, connecting our new ideas to old.
- Finally we experience generation – rephrasing key ideas into our own words.
Writing activities can be short – less than 5 minutes– and interspersed throughout training.
There is some evidence (but not much research yet) that digital note taking doesn’t reduce retention of ideas although many argue handwriting is superior to digital for learning.
Ask learners to write key points
Ask learners to write statements and ideas in their own words
Set aside written reflection time.
Provide typed outlined information learners can take notes within.
Encourage a note taking system
References & Resources
Retrieval Practice: Unleash the science of learning
Cindy Huggett’s Virtual Training Resources
Helpful Virtual Training Blog Posts
Managing Cameras In Virtual Training
Connect with Learners Before Class Begins
Lead Successful Breakout Rooms
Quick Stop-Start-Continue Activity
Source: Make It Stick, by Peter Brown
