6 Ways to Use Active Learning to Take Better Notes
Active learning has been proven to be one of the most effective learning strategies. Unlike passive learning (like reading through notes), active learning gets you to interact with content more intently, so you can better remember what you learn. It also presents a more engaging learning experience, strengthening the link between your emotions and memory.
This article will cover some ways you can practice active learning when working digitally, so you can learn more efficiently at home, work, or school.
1. Create Digital Quizzes
The first way you can practice active learning is by quizzing yourself on the content you learn. Testing yourself at regular intervals helps improve your understanding as you learn, and there are plenty of greatflashcard appsto help you achieve this.
Anki is a powerful flashcard app available for Android and iOS that helps you learn and retain information. You can be super organized by storing flashcards in decks, and you can explore user-made decks onAnkiWeb.
You can rate your level of confidence for each flashcard, so Anki knows the best learning path ahead of you. There’s also a whiteboard feature for learning diagrams and visual content.
Download:Anki forAndroid(Free) |iOS($24.99)
2. Take Notes With Your Friends
Taking notes with friends is a great way to share your knowledge with like-minded people. It also gives the opportunity for multiple brains to work on one project.
You can share and collaborate with others using Google Docs, a free note-taking app popular with many students. You can also use this feature if you’re usingGoogle Slides to make a college presentation.
Here’s how to share and collaborate with others in Google Docs:
As an alternative method, you can generate a link if you don’t have the email addresses of who you’re collaborating with. You can find this feature underneathGeneral Access.
Now you can share insights with your friends and make edits together. You can also add comments andleave emoji reactions on Google Docs.
Download:Google Docs forAndroid|iOS(Free)
3. Use Voice Notes as an Alternative Note-Taking Format
Switching your note-taking format can help you learn and process information in a new way. Recording your voice is one effective learning format that forces you to think about what you’re saying.
Nimbus Note is a greatalternative to Notionwhich features audio recording as an alternative method to take notes. To create an audio recording in Nimbus Note, type forward slash (/) to access the commands list, then typeAudio Record. you’re able to also use the shortcutCtrl + Alt + 8.
Following these steps, you’ll have access to a recording facility with options to pause, stop, and delete your voice notes. Once you’re done, Nimbus Note will add your recording as a block on your notes page.
Download:Nimbus Note forWindows|Mac|Android|iOS(Free, subscription available)
4. Post and Answer Questions on Quora
Asking and answering questions is key to an effective active learning approach.Quoraoffers a huge online platform where you could answer questions from others or create your own.
To make things easier, Quora organizes topics into dedicated pages calledSpaces. You can engage with others by commenting on posts, allowing you to share what you’ve learned. If you’d like to post your own questions, you can set the visibility toPublicor ask for followers only by selecting theLimitedoption.
To ensure you’reviewing trustworthy answers on Quora, you can view people’s credentials beneath each username. If you’re making a post yourself, you can also add credentials to let others know about your experience in different areas.
5. Create Meaningful Annotations
One of the best ways you can practice active learning is by making meaningful annotations. Annotating your notes not only emphasizes key parts of text—it will also help improve your memory and retention by offering a fresh perspective to review your notes.
If you’re wonderinghow to take notes on a PDF, Liquid Text offers a great solution to suit your productivity needs. You can annotate PDF documents using highlights and comments, as well as create ink drawings.
Liquid Text goes beyond many other annotation apps by offering multiple highlighter colors and ways to group your annotated files using folders. You can also drag selected text from your PDF to annotate separately using theSelecttool.
Download:Liquid Text forWindows|Mac(Free, subscription available)
6. Connect Your Ideas
Since your brain is hard-wired to make connections, it makes perfect sense to apply this to your note-taking methodology. Linking note pages helps you understand the relations between different topics, allowing you to understand information better from a wider perspective.
Many note-taking apps incorporate referencing by using bidirectional links—a two-way link where you can navigate to a new page and view its original source. A simple way tolink two or more pages in Notionis by typing the@symbol followed by the page you wish to reference.
Another way to connect your ideas is to use a mind map. This offers a way to visualize information rather than looking at plain text. There are many greatfree mind map toolsthat you may use to take smart digital notes.
Download:Notion forAndroid|iOS|Desktop(Free, subscription available)
Work Smarter, Not Harder By Using Active Learning Principles
Much of today’s society exercises passive learning methods such as reading or sitting in class. This ineffective learning approach can be treated by using these active learning techniques. By engaging with content in different ways, you’ll be able to relate to it better and perform better in tests. Try out these active learning methods to improve your work efficiency and work smarter, not harder.
Evernote and Microsoft OneNote may be too bloated for you. Try one of these alternative lightweight note-taking apps instead!
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