Pros and Cons of Typed Notes

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In the previous post we discussed both the good and bad aspects of handwriting notes. Now let us look at the benefits and disadvantages of typing out notes. First of all they allow you to keep organized notes. Typing notes provides many options, users can type in outline format, bullet points, simple paragraphs or however else they want to organize their notes. However, it is more difficult to draw a graph on a computer than to draw one on paper. Another bonus of typed notes is that it is easy to go back through a lecture. The highlighting tools that word provides also adds organizational benefits.

I asked another group of friends how they felt about typed notes. Again the answers were fairly similar. One person responded that he prefers typing his notes with an exception of  his economics class. He explained that while it is possible to create graphs on the computer, it was more efficient to draw them by hand. A different person remarked that while she prefers typed notes, she does not like carrying her laptop all around campus. Another student responded that her professor speaks so quickly that when she tries to hand write notes, her handwriting is illegible, so, as a result, she always types her notes.

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Pros and Cons of Handwritten Notes

There are benefits and disadvantages to both handwritten and typed notes. This post we will cover everything about handwritten notes. First of all, there are studies which have concluded that people can read their own handwriting better than typeface or another's written work. So one point for handwritten notes. However, on the other end of the spectrum, handwriting, especially during a lecture can get messy and difficult to read. But it is simpler to carry around a spiral notebook and pen than dealing with a laptop. The score is two points for writing out notes, one point against, and we still need to take personal preference into consideration.

I asked a group of people why they prefer handwritten notes and the answers were all fairly similar. Basically writing notes on paper allow students to hold something tangible compared to a computer screen. Also, by writing out notes, a student is able to draw graphs or pictures to help clarify points. We are up to four points pro writing notes, however these points are all assuming that the handwriting is actually legible. If the handwriting is poor it will end up taking more time and effort deciphering what was written than actually learning the material.

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Revision Notes by jez' is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.