Should I take handwritten or digital notes?

Asked by: Mathew Herzog  |  Last update: September 22, 2023
Score: 4.8/5 (51 votes)

The most important aspect of paper notes to recognize is that scientists have actually studied the effectiveness of digital versus paper notes and have found that paper notes are simply more effective if students are using them to learn and remember what they're learning.

Should I take notes by hand or computer?

Taking notes or writing using mobile devices or computers has become increasingly common. However, many researchers have found that taking notes by hand is a more effective way to learn and retain information than digital.

Is taking notes by hand more effective?

Handwritten notes are a powerful tool for encrypting embodied cognition and in turn supporting the brain's capacity for retrieval of information. And secondly, when you take notes by hand, your hands create a robust external memory storage: your notebook.

What is a better way to take notes?

Eight (8) Tips for How to Take Effective Notes:
  • Take good notes.
  • Organize your notes.
  • Format your notes by labeling them.
  • Listen for main ideas during the lecture.
  • Find vocabulary words.
  • Use abbreviations.
  • Condense your notes.
  • Use a note taking system.

Is digital note taking better?

Typing your notes on a computer instead of writing them down with a paper and pen is a very practical way of taking notes during class: it's faster, the notes are available on multiple devices and you don't have to waste time, a few weeks later, when you're revising for an exam and you can't decipher your own sloppy ...

Digital Notes vs Handwriting Notes (which should you do?)

30 related questions found

How do you take notes like a professional?

Here are some helpful note-taking tips that may help you in any situation where you're required to write down notes quickly and accurately:
  1. Focus on the main points. ...
  2. Don't overcomplicate. ...
  3. Choose your medium. ...
  4. Annotate and categorise. ...
  5. Provide visuals. ...
  6. Highlight information. ...
  7. Keep an organised structure. ...
  8. Engage in active listening.

What is the most effective way to take notes in college?

Focus on Main Points

Note the topic of the lecture, then form the points into outlines. Not only will this help you avoid trying to write down absolutely everything, but it will also bring a structure to your notes that should greatly increase the quality of both your learning and recall.

Why are handwritten notes so powerful?

Handwritten Letters ​​are Intimate and Reflective

In contrast, a handwritten note conveys a sense of thoughtfulness and care that cannot be replicated by a digital message. When you take the time to put pen to paper, it shows that you value the recipient and the relationship you share.

Why are hand written notes most impressive?

Your words are conveyed in your own handwriting, so the person receiving the note can see a personal side of you. This personal touch is a wonderful way to demonstrate that the person you're thinking is important and valuable to you.

Does taking notes waste time?

Unless you have an efficient process for using your notes, taking them is probably a waste of time. They just pile up, like so much unwashed laundry. If you prefer handwritten notes, ask yourself how many stacks of paper you've accumulated that you never looked at again.

Is it better to study on paper or computer?

Comprehension, they found, was better overall when people read print rather than digital texts. The researchers shared the results in Educational Research Review. Patricia Alexander is a psychologist at the University of Maryland in College Park. She studies how we learn.

Is it OK to take notes digitally?

Typing your notes on a computer instead of writing them down with a paper and pen is a very practical way of taking notes during class: it's faster, the notes are available on multiple devices and you don't have to waste time, a few weeks later, when you're revising for an exam and you can't decipher your own sloppy ...

Should students take notes on a laptop or with pen and paper?

There's Luo's study which looked at how good students were at remembering images versus text, and which tried to tease out contributions from the process of note-taking from those having to do with the notes themselves, and overall the conclusion was that pen was best.

Is it better to work on paper or computer?

The brain reacts differently--research says better--when you use paper and not a computer. Studies show that students' performance on tests improves when they take notes on paper instead of laptops, and kids who learn to write by hand are better at recognizing letters than those who learn to write by typing.

Should I write with pen or computer?

Psychological science research conducted by researcher Daniel Oppenheimer at the University of California shows that handwritten notes help with memory and recall. Oppenheimer's study shows that areas of the brain associated with recall and comprehension are more engaged when students write notes with a pen and paper.

Is writing on paper better for your brain than typing?

Comparing handwriting vs. typing, you're more exposed to critical thinking when you write by hand than when you type. Handwriting allows you to think more thoroughly about the information you're recording. It encourages you to expand upon your thoughts and form connections between them.

Do you find it easier to write on a computer phone or with pen?

If typing speed is important, like when creating a thesis paper or a final essay, then a computer is the obvious choice. But if something requires more freedom and creativity, you might do a better job with a pen. So, why choose? Just use both and enjoy the advantages of each!

Why handwritten notes are better?

But when it comes to typing versus handwriting notes, it turns out that the traditional way of doing things — although slower and, arguably, less convenient — is the better option. Handwriting notes improves your retention of the material, which boosts your ability to learn with less need for review and study.

Why is digital note-taking better?

Typing your notes on a computer instead of writing them down with a paper and pen is a very practical way of taking notes during class: it's faster, the notes are available on multiple devices and you don't have to waste time, a few weeks later, when you're revising for an exam and you can't decipher your own sloppy ...

Should you take notes on laptop or notebook in college?

Despite modern technology's advantages, notebooks stand the test of time as a successful notetaking tool. Physically writing your notes encourages better focus than blindly typing on a laptop does.

Do college students still use notebooks?

While some students prefer taking notes on their laptops, science has proved that taking notes by hand is better for memorization and understanding the material. Therefore, you'll need a notebook per class–or you could get one of the multi-subject notebooks and keep up to three classes in one.

Is it OK to take notes in pen?

Another study from the same year found that hand-writing notes resulted in better recall. Students who use pen and paper are also more likely to replicate images and diagrams in their notes, simply because it's easier to do using that method. Doing so results in a more comprehensive understanding of the content.

Should I take notes on my iPad or paper?

Ultimately, the decision between an iPad and paper for note-taking comes down to personal preference. If you prefer writing on paper and don't need the additional features of an iPad, then paper is the best option for you. However, if you prefer the convenience and versatility of an iPad, then an iPad is the way to go.

What are the disadvantages of handwritten notes?

Disadvantages of handwriting

It is easy to miss information when you are writing notes by hand. Your hand simply can not keep up with everything that is being said and so you may need a more efficient method of note-taking to get the most out of your class, meeting, etc.