Tips for Effective Note Taking

Note Taking Tips

* Put the date, class topic, and your name on the first page of your notes.
* Start each day with a new sheet of paper. Write on one side of the paper only. Leave space for ideas that you miss. ( You can also add them to the blank facing page.)
*Don't skimp on paper. Write big, and leave plenty of space between ideas, topics and subtopics.
*Don't try to write down every sentence in order. A good rule of thumb is every third sentence.
*Identify questions or things they you do not understand by using colors or symbols.
*Get cheap pens and lots of them, and don't worry about losing them.
*Sit in the front row or in the middle. Make eye contact with your prof.
*If your class period is long, take reasonable breaks. It's okay to leave if you come back. however, when you do leave, mark the place in your notes where you left off, and when you return, mark the spot where you picked up again. You may even want to note that there is missing information between those tow spots.
*Play around with materials like colored pencils, highters, sticky notes, flags and so on.

Reference: Learning Outside the Lines by Jonathan Mooney and David Cole

Open Office

OpenOffice.org is an office suite application available for a number of different computer operating systems. It supports the OpenDocument standard for data interchange as its default file formats, as well as Microsoft Office '97-2003 formats, among many others.Compatible with all other major office suites, the product is FREE to download, use, and distribute.

Components

OpenOffice.org is a collection of applications that work together closely to provide the features expected from a modern office suite. Many of the components are designed to mirror those available in Microsoft Office. The components available include:

Writer

A word processor similar in look and feel to Microsoft Word and offering a comparable range of functions and tools. It also includes the ability to export Portable Document Format (PDF) files with no additional software, and can also function as a WYSIWYG editor for creating and editing web pages. One important difference between Writer and Microsoft Word is that in Writer, many functions and number formats from Calc (below) are available in Writer’s tables.

Calc

A spreadsheet similar to Microsoft Excel with a roughly equivalent range of features. Calc provides a number of features not present in Excel, including a system which automatically defines series for graphing, based on the layout of the user’s data. Calc is also capable of writing spreadsheets directly as a PDF file.

Impress

A presentation program similar to Microsoft PowerPoint. It can export presentations to Adobe Flash (SWF) files allowing them to be played on any computer with the Flash player installed. It also includes the ability to create PDF files, and the ability to read Microsoft PowerPoint's .ppt format. Impress suffers from a lack of ready-made presentation designs. However, templates are readily available on the Internet.^[7][8][9]

Base

A database program similar to Microsoft Access. Base allows the creation and manipulation of databases, and the building of forms and reports to provide easy access to data for end-users. As with Access, Base may be used as a front-end to a number of different database systems, including Access databases (JET), ODBC data sources and MySQL/PostgreSQL. Base became part of the suite starting with version 2.0. Native to the OpenOffice.org suite is an adaptation of HSQL. While ooBase can be a front-end for any of the databases listed, there is no need for any of them to be installed.

Draw

A vector graphics editor comparable in features to early versions of CorelDRAW. It features versatile "connectors" between shapes, which are available in a range of line styles and facilitate building drawings such as flowcharts. It has similar features to Desktop publishing software such as Scribus and Microsoft Publisher.

Math

A tool for creating and editing mathematical formulae, similar to Microsoft Equation Editor. Formulae can be embedded inside other OpenOffice.org documents, such as those created by Writer. It supports multiple fonts and can export to PDF.

For more information and to download visit www.openoffice.org

Inprove your typing for school or work

Improve your typing skills with a
free demo of TypeMaster

TypingMaster Typing Test is a free, full-featured typing tester for Windows. After warming up with enjoyable typing games, you can evaluate your typing skills with any of the several test texts, or add your own. You can also view your personal test result history and print out test diplomas. Program has multi user support and four games. In addition this package contains several features of TypingMaster Pro typing tutor such as the touch typing course (3 free lessons) and a full Numeric Keypad course.

For more information visit www.typingmaster.com and download a free trail.

Click Speak

CLiCk Speak Firefox Extension Talking Browser Extension

The CLiCk Speak extension for Firefox is one of my favorite Firefox extensions. At the press of a button, CLiCk Speak will read the contents of a web page that you have highlighted, or it can read the contents automatically. You can choose to access CLiCk Speak through the context menu, or via the CLiCk Speak toolbar.

For more information visit FireFox.

Assistive Technology Resource Guide

Technology can open doors and break down barriers for children, youth, and adults with disabilities. Whether in the classroom or workplace, assistive technology (including devices, software, recordings, and much more) can increase, maintain, or improve the capabilities of individuals with disabilities. Use this guide as a starting point to talk about assistive technology when considering accommodations in the classroom or for the job site.

Writing

Software and other technology devices are available to help prepare reports, letters, create projects, and use a word processor. The following are few examples of Assistive technology that can assist a student in writing:

Digital Recorder- To dictate responses, assist with note taking and allows teachers to record lectures.

Portable Word Processor- To use for taking notes; e.g. Braille, adapter, Alpha Smart or Dana with word processor software, spell and grammar checking capabilities.

Inspiration Software- (Draft Builder) Computer software program student’s use to plan, research and complete projects successfully. With the integrated Diagram and Outline Views, they create graphic organizers and expand topics into writing.

Proofreading and word prediction software (Write Out Loud or CO:Writer) – Software Program to help with proper spelling, punctuation, grammar and word usage.

Speech Recognition Software programs- Speech recognition programs

(Dragon Naturally Speaking) work in conjunction with a word processor. The user “dictates” into a microphone, and his spoken words appear on the computer screen as text. This can help a user whose oral language ability is better than his writing skills.

Screen Readers- These systems can display and read aloud text on a computer screen, including text that has been typed by the user, scanned in from printed pages (e.g., books, letters), or text appearing on the Internet.

Spelling

There are many portable devices that can help students with spelling regardless of where they are.

Digital recorder- record difficult to spell words.

Hand-Held Spell checker - auditory output (e.g. Merriam-Webster Dictionary and Thesaurus)

Other portable devices- Portable word processor with built-in spellchecker (e.g. Alpha Smart or Dana) or a PDA with dictionary/thesaurus software.

Reading

Assistive Technology can help when reading instructions or manuals, completing a test, or reading text on a computer screen.

Highlighter or highlighter tape

Books on tape (Audio Books/Publications)- Reading from the Blind and Dyslexic, Bookshare.org, or CD-Rom

Screen Reader- Computer with text reading software (e.g. Read please, Jaws, Wynn, Kurzweil). These systems can display and read aloud text on a computer screen, including text that has been typed by the user, scanned in from printed pages (e.g., books, letters), or text appearing on the Internet.

Math

Assistive Technology can assist in measuring, counting change, calculating materials to complete a project, and maintaining a budget.

Modified paper (e.g. bold line, enlarged, raised line, graph pager, etc.)

Calculators- Talking calculators with speech output and headphones or calculator with large print display, large keypad

Adapted measuring devices

Internet Resources-Assessing free resources from the net related to math (e.g. gomath.com, webmath.com)

Organization and Memory

Adaptive tools can help to better focus, plan and finish task or meet deadlines.

Print or picture schedule

Organization aids (e.g. Color coding, appointment book, personal data assistant with alarms, Palm Pilot)

Digital recorder

Pagers

Watches with multiple alarms

Electronic organizers or Personal Digital Assistants-These computer based organizers can sync with an individual’s information stored on his/her computer. Additionally, there are many software programs that can be added to these organizers to assist with a specific function or task.

Cell phones- Can be used as an organization device by utilizing features such as calendar.

Speech prompting device

Listening and Communication

Listening and Communication devices make it easier to ask questions or seek clarification when interacting with teachers, friends, parents or co-workers.

Listening

Personal FM Listening System

Voice to text software

Speech enhancing devices (amplifiers, clarifiers)

Communication

TTY

Text to speech devices

Assisted Listening devices

Signaling system or environmental control units

Additional Resources

Additional Ideas on AT tools to assist students can be found at Schwablearning.org

(http://www.schwablearning.org/articles.aspx?r=286&f=relatedlink)

Printable Version - http://docs.google.com/Doc?id=dj64wp6_048rs3td4

MP3 Player For Taking Notes

Creative MuVo MP3 player/recorder

This tiny, portable device requires no cables and allows you to directly connect to a PC USB port. With a replaceable AAA battery and skip free playback enjoy your audio files everywhere you go. Carry your files to and from meetings or classes. The built-in microphone records 125 hours of high quality voice recording. It's perfect for capturing ideas and saving quick reminders anytime - anywhere. Plus record lectures, transfer them onto your laptop and slow down the voice for more detailed note taking. The high-resolution backlit LCD display allows you to see what's playing. Scroll through the playback options and select shuffle playback or play your files in the order you like it. Listen to files with either the included earbuds or standard headphones/speakers. Manufacturer's Website: http://us.creative.com/welcome.asp The MuVo Mp3 Player/Recorder can be found at www.at4all.com . At4all.com is a free online service to list and find equipment. Equipment is available for loan, for sale, for demonstration, or for giveaway. The MuVo Mp3 Player/Recorder is a loaner device that can be checked out to individuals who reside in Nebraska and have an account on at4all.com. For more information on how to check out a loanable device visit www.at4all.com!

Google Tools

Google Account - A Google Account is a user account allowing the user to access to more Google services like Google Groups. Plus it is completely free. To sign up for a google go to http://www.google.com/accounts.

Google Searches:
Basic Searches - www.google.com

Google Scholar – used to search scholarly papers www.google.com/scholar

Google Directory –The web organized by topic into categories. www.directory.google.com

Google Educator – tools for the classroom. www.google.com/educator

Google Book Search – some books that are full text and some half text that you can read online for free if you have a google account. www.books.google.com

igoogle – Set up your dashboard –
Google offers the ability to create a personalized iGoogle page that gives you at-a-glance access to key information from Google and across the web. On this self-designed page, you can choose and organize content such as:
* Your latest Gmail messages
* Headlines from Google News and other top news sources
* Weather forecasts, stock quotes, and movie show times
* Bookmarks for quick access to your favorite sites from any computer
* Your own section with content you find from across the web

Google Docs, Spreadsheets and Power Point – www.docs.google.com
Create and share your work online, edit and upload quickly
Import your existing documents, spreadsheets and presentations, or create new ones from scratch. Access and edit from anywhere. All you need is a Web browser. Your documents are stored securely online.
Share changes in real time. Invite people to your documents and make changes together, at the same time.
It's free -- you don't pay a nickel

Google Notebook www.google.com/notebook
With Google Notebook, you can browse, clip, and organize information from across the web in a single online location that's accessible from any computer. Planning a trip? Researching a product? Just add clippings to your notebook. You won't ever have to leave your browser window.

To learn about more google products go to www.google.com and search

“even more”