Ways to work effectively take notes with digital readings

Many people find it difficult to take notes online or with digital readings.  It is important when you are trying to learn that you can stay engaged and benefit from readings even when they are not physically in-front of you.  There are many tools that are helpful if you are trying to read something online and want to take notes along with the reading. Here are some technologies that were recommended in my online class.

• OneNote: This technology is basically like a digital notebook that you can easily take with you wherever you may go (TECHNOLOGIES, 2019).  You can type up notes, write out notes, insert pictures, and even record audio and put it in your notes (TECHNOLOGIES, 2019).  Your notes are accessible to you on all your device so they will be with you wherever you may go (TECHNOLOGIES, 2019).
• Evernote: Evernote is a technology with similar abilities as OneNotes that can also be used for note taking (TECHNOLOGIES, 2019).
• Google Keep: Google Keep will help you organize notes you think of or obtain on the go such as voice memos and receipts (TECHNOLOGIES, 2019).  Google Keep will send you reminders about your notes as well (TECHNOLOGIES, 2019).
• MindMup: MindMup allows you to create mind maps of your ideas and notes online (TECHNOLOGIES, 2019).
• Adobe Reader/Adobe Acrobat: Adobe Reader gives you the ability to read pdfs and Adobe Acrobat allows you to also edit pdfs (TECHNOLOGIES, 2019).
• Foxit Reader: Foxit Reader allows you to read a pdf and also take notes with the same software (TECHNOLOGIES, 2019).

My personal favorite way to read/annotate pdfs digitally and to take notes on blank documents is with the app Notability.  I have been using Notability to help me with my academics and any -notes I need to take for over three years now.  Notability allows you to record voice memos and insert them into your notes, insert pictures, grids and lines to write on, and text boxes.  You can write with pencils or highlighters on blank notes or on pdfs that you have imported into the app.  I take notes for class in Notability, import PowerPoints my professors use, and import readings I have to do for class so I can annote as I read, directly on the reading.  Notability makes it easy to keep your notes organized as well.

TECHNOLOGIES: Digital Note-Taking. (2019). Retrieved November 6, 2019, from https://osu.instructure.com/courses/65989/pages/technologies-digital-note-taking-tools?module_item_id=3346060.

Ways to make sure you get it all done.

Sometimes students get overwhelmed and do not feel like they can possibly get all their work done.  With these tips for managing time, all the work can seem much more manageable.  Landry (2018) suggests that students make a schedule for when they will do their work, find a place to study where there are little to no distractions, avoid multitasking, use peers to help you achieve success, ask for help, and celebrate when you achieve something.  It is important for students to find a particular time to study and make sure they study in places that allow them to be fully focused on their work to produce the best results.  Also, students should not only find a place to study that allows the to be fully focused, but also make sure they are fully focused on one task at a time.  When students are feeling stressed it is beneficial for them to turn to others for support and help accomplishing tasks.  Finally, it is import for students to celebrate when they meet a goal.  These simple tasks can help you manage your time much better and find yourself being more successful.

Landry, L. (2018, May 2). 6 Time Management Tips for Online Students. Retrieved March 5, 2019, from https://www.northeastern.edu/bachelors-completion/news/time-management-for-online-students/.

How to keep up the motivation

Many students find it difficult to find motivation to do their school work when they could just watch Netflix or scroll through social media on their phone.  Cueso (2010) suggests students  imagine themselves achieving their long term goals, write down goals, make a visual reminder of their goals, record progress, give themselves rewards as they progress, use their resources, and be positive with their expectations and mindset to help them stay motivated when trying to reach goals.  Students should apply these strategies when they do not want to do things to help them find the motivation.  When students have reminders of what they are working towards, by imagining or seeing their final outcome written down, it is easier for them to work towards it. Students should use their resources to help them get to where they want to be when they need motivation.  It is also very important that students stay positive even when things are hard.  Having a growth mindset will help keep them stay motivated and help them push to achieve and make progress. Being motivated can be hard, but these tips can help.

Cuseo, J. (2010). Chapter 2 Goal Setting, Motivation, and Character. In Thriving in the community college and beyond: Strategies for academic success and personal development (pp. 39-62). Dubuque, IA: Kendall Hunt Pub.