I am quite often amazed, when working with small or large groups, at the number of people that arrive for a learning session with nothing to write on. They have no tablet, not paper, no pen, no electronic note taking method, they just show up and take a seat. AMAZING. Apparently they pre-determined that nothing valuable enough to commit to pen and paper would be offered.
In or latest strategic platform, we examine the idea that developing a simple discipline in committing what you find interesting to some type of visual reference will change the way you develop ideas, look for solutions and view opportunities.
Let’s start with a simple fact:
When you write something down, the process creates a link to memory. In fact, you are 34% more likely to recall a key point when you write it down. That may not seem like much, 34%, but when you compare it to the 5% ability to remember when you DON’T write it down, 34% is like the Grand Canyon for your memory!
Next is about how you take notes. At Creative Ventures we are old school. We believe the deliberate process of using pen and paper has a distinctly positive impact on your memory. There is something powerful about the primitive use of paper.
We practice the note style of “sketchnoting” – the use of shapes, connections and text to visually synthesis information. By developing a very rudimentary level of sketching, we have discovered what designers have been taught; images expand your attention span, create a completely different way to focus and radically increase comprehension and retention. By developing a crude method of creating images you become a visual tinkerer.
We teach this style of note taking by beginning with a few simple images. Try it out and discover if it can fit your style and thinking methods.
If you are really interested and want some additional resources, simply drop us a note and we will get them to you.
S
This is great. So many people, especially of the “younger generation” seem to be poor note takers. Just like test taking, note taking is a skill/art/knack. But, what works for one person, doesn’t always transfer the other. It is hard to teach (I have tried to teach both to Parker, because, of course, teaching these skills in school does not seem to be part of the curriculum), and hard to learn if one does not have the basics at an early age. Note taking and test taking, I think, are similar skills. Are basic skill sets that can help lead to success, or at least make the grind/task/enjoyment of learning easier.