Learning outcome three is to use techniques of critical and active reading for the purpose of learning, thinking, and questioning. This learning outcome in particular has helped me tremendously with my biology and chemistry note taking. In high school I would write directly into my textbooks as well as make flashcards to study terminology. In college I can’t write in my textbooks because they are rented. English 110 showed me some new ways to take notes, and study even more effectively. I now make outlines on white copy paper without lines. This gives me the ability to not only take notes on the content, but to also draw diagrams, flow charts, etc. to help further understand the content. The pictures below display my use of the technique to help explain how I use learning outcome three. I have also started to write questions on the side next to topics that I don’t fully understand. This allows me to remember my questions and ask them during class or office hours. I will sometimes use sticky notes in my text book to mark important topics that I need to study later. This type of annotating has greatly improved my understanding of the content. I don’t find myself writing things down and then not understanding it which happened often in the past. I find myself understanding topics and content quicker, and remembering it better later on. It also has made studying a lot easier because I can skim my notes and quickly decipher which topics I don’t know. I overall study more effectively, and absorb more information.
Examples of My Biology Annotations/Critical Reading Notes:
