Susan,
They are valuable to students in so many different ways. They are very helpful to older students that have been out of school for a while and have forgotten some of their note taking skills.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The guided notes will allow me to highlight the key points, with student participation in their written response. I really like this ideaa
John,
I have had different results with guided notes because with them being provided the students are able to relax a bit because they have key points and an outline to follow rather than having to identify that information themselves. They are more prepared to discuss in class after following the guided notes. Results may depend on the course being taught.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Without guided notes a student may miss hearing the important information because they are focused on writing everything. I prefer that my students focus on seeing and hearing. Their retention is usually better.
Mary Jane,
Thank you for sharing your success with guided notes with us. I know this information will be valuable to other instructors that are thinking about using them. They are such a help to students especially those that are weak in note taking and study skills. Glad to hear about the success you had with your mentally challenged student and his growth in the class.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I like guided notes at the beginning of the quater in lecture classes such as Marketing, Small Business Management, Accounting, Principles of Salesmenship, Customer Service, etc. because it helps keep the students on track. In each class I have had a student who is challenging mentally and this method helps him to understand the material and keep him focused.
Chris,
I think you will like the use of guided notes for your students but keep in mind they are only guides for them to follow. Don't provide too much content, only highlight the key concepts or topics and then provide lines under the topic for the students to fill in as you go through the lecture, PP or demo. This way you know they have the key concepts and topics in hand and it is up to them to identify how they are going to support these points with added notes.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
