Note Taking and Learning: Digital or Traditional?

As technology continues to advance and improve, there has been a large shift toward digital note taking. It may even seem that using pens, pencils, and notebooks to take notes is a thing of the past. Nowadays, laptops and tablets make it increasingly easier to take fast and efficient notes by typing, which in turn makes it much easier to search for the information we’re looking for. But could this dependence on our devices to write down important information be detrimental to our learning processes? Could our memory and retention be negatively affected by digital note taking?

There is no doubt that digital note taking has its own benefits. Having the ability to take notes on a device that you already carry around with you saves you some extra weight in your bag. Typing your notes also has been proven to be faster than handwriting, meaning that you can jot down way more information than normal. Whether you are in school, at the office, or listening in on a conference speaker, there’s no doubt that using your phone, your laptop, or your tablet will get the information you’re hearing into a permanent location faster.

When it comes to learning, however, traditional note taking may be the superior choice. There are studies that show the benefits of using a pen and paper to help process information better. Read on to see the data.

The Science Behind Handwriting and Learning

With handwritten note taking, you are less susceptible to electronic distractions that digital note taking can provide. Laptops and tablets nowadays come with all sorts of features, apps, games, and notifications. It may be tempting to change the screen to check social media or messages during a lecture, lesson, or meeting.

In a study done by Pam A. Mueller and Daniel M. Oppenheimer called The Pen Is Mightier Than The Keyboard, taking notes by hand was statistically more significant in improving learning than by the computer.

Mueller and Oppenheimer defined note taking in two different ways: generative and nongenerative. Generative note taking pertains to “summarizing, paraphrasing, and concept mapping,” while nongenerative note taking involves copying something verbatim.

Taking notes on a digital device, they found, is nongenerative. Since keyboards allow for quicker typing, these note takers have the tendency to type out as much info as they possibly can. While taking more notes may sound like a good thing, this takes away from the learning process of information. People are not necessarily understanding the information that is being provided to them, they are more prone to simply type out what they are hearing exactly.

On the other hand, when writing down the information you’re hearing with a pen or pencil, your brain needs to quickly summarize everything to be able to move onto the next section. This is done repeatedly throughout the lesson or meeting.

At the end of their study, Mueller and Oppenheimer found that the people writing out their notes by hand (and therefore summarizing, paraphrasing, and concept mapping by hand) were able to process the information much better, which resulted in overall improved learning and retention.

These findings mean that taking notes by hand makes our brains do a lot more processing and thinking than when we simply copy them down on our digital devices. And while it may be hard to transition back to the traditional ways of a pen and paper, this may be the learning secret we’ve been looking for.

The Rise of Digital Note-Taking

With the proliferation of digital note-taking tools, many students and professionals prefer digital note-taking for its speed and convenience. Digital notes vs traditional handwritten notes often come down to flexibility and accessibility. A student can record notes directly on a tablet or laptop, organize them across folders, and retrieve them in seconds. Digital storage allows for notes in one place, reducing the need for multiple notebooks and stacks of paper notes.

Digital note-taking methods are also evolving. Note-taking applications now support multimedia, hyperlinks, and interactive content, making them ideal for complex subjects. For instance, a biology student might embed images of diagrams into their digital notebook, while a law student could link to statutes or case studies. Such features highlight the convenience of digital systems, and they allow students to take more dynamic and versatile notes than ever before.

However, the speed of typed notes has its drawbacks. While you can type faster than you can write, this often leads to verbatim notes. Students may take notes by copying exactly what they hear, without processing or summarizing the information. Research on note-taking and learning suggests that the depth of processing is critical for comprehension, meaning notes digitally may sometimes hinder the learning experience compared to writing by hand.

Digital Notes vs Paper Notes: Understanding Different Note-Taking Methods

The decision to take notes digitally or on paper often depends on the intended use of those notes. Digital notes excel in organization, searchability, and collaboration. A digital notebook allows students and professors to review notes quickly, share content, and integrate multimedia. Meanwhile, paper notes shine in memory retention, comprehension, and critical thinking. Writing by hand encourages deeper processing, which benefits student learning in both short- and long-term contexts.

The difference between digital and paper methods is also evident in exam preparation. Students who take their notes by hand often have a mental map of where information is located on the page, aiding recall. In contrast, digital notetaking relies on keyword search, which is efficient but may bypass the deeper cognitive engagement required for understanding.

Effective Note-Taking Strategies for Modern Learners

Effective note-taking strategies involve a combination of both digital and traditional methods. Hybrid approaches allow students to leverage the strengths of digital notes while maintaining the cognitive benefits of handwriting. For example:

1. Lecture Note-Taking: Students can take notes on paper notes during a lecture to enhance focus and comprehension, then later transfer key points into a digital notebook for organization and review.
2. Digital and Traditional Integration: Using digital tools, students can record notes, annotate PDFs, or take snapshots of handwritten notes for future reference.
3. Note-Taking in Online Courses: For remote learning, digital note-taking allows students to highlight, search, and link concepts efficiently, while writing notes by hand during video lectures can enhance understanding.

Advanced note-taking systems like the Cornell method or mind mapping can be adapted for both digital and traditional methods. The key is to develop note-taking skills that prioritize comprehension, rather than quantity of information.

Digital Note-Taking Tools and Their Role

Digital note-taking tools provide flexibility and convenience, particularly in collaborative environments. Note-taking applications such as OneNote, Notion, or Evernote allow students to take multimedia-rich notes, tag content for easy retrieval, and even synchronize notes across multiple devices. Apps for note-taking also provide reminders and the ability to track progress on projects or assignments.

However, digital devices require discipline. Students use laptops or tablets for legitimate purposes, but the temptation to multitask can reduce focus. Combining digital note-taking methods with periods of pen and paper work can balance the interplay between note-taking and active learning.

Shaping the Future of Note-Taking: Combining Digital and Traditional Methods

The conversation around note-taking and learning is evolving. Educators and institutions are exploring innovative note-taking solutions that merge digital and traditional methods. Interactive whiteboards, digital tablets designed for handwriting, and digital notebooks with stylus support are examples of technology that respects the cognitive benefits of writing by hand while leveraging digital flexibility.

Shaping the future of note-taking will likely involve hybrid solutions that encourage students to take notes in ways that maximize retention and comprehension. Note-taking skills will continue to be essential for academic and professional success, as students perform better when engaged in meaningful processing of information.

Best Practices for Note-Taking: Leveraging Paper Notes and Digital Notes

To make the most of digital and traditional methods, consider these best practices:

• Use paper strategically: For complex subjects requiring deep comprehension, handwriting is often more effective.
• Leverage digital tools for organization: Notes can be easily organized in digital platforms for retrieval and collaboration.
• Practice hybrid systems: Start with longhand notes, then digitize key points for structured review.
• Incorporate note-taking strategies like concept mapping or Cornell notes: These can be adapted for both digital notes and paper notes.
• Encourage active processing: Regardless of method, the goal is to summarize, paraphrase, and synthesize information rather than copy verbatim.

Encouraging Students to Take Notes

Teachers and trainers can play a pivotal role in shaping effective note-taking skills. Providing students with notebooks and pens, or teaching digital note-taking methods, can allow students to experiment with different note-taking systems. Students can quickly see which method enhances their memory and understanding.

Offering guidance on lecture note-taking, laptop note-taking, and taking digital notes can empower learners to review notes more effectively and improve overall student learning. Even in note-taking in online environments, students benefit from structured guidance and exposure to multiple note-taking strategies.

Conclusion: Finding the Right Balance Between Paper Notes and Digital Notes

The debate between digital notes and paper notes is not about which method is universally better, it’s about finding the best fit for the learner. Traditional note-taking emphasizes cognitive processing and learning and retention, while digital notes offer convenience, organization, and collaborative potential.

By understanding the strengths and limitations of each, students and professionals can adopt different note-taking strategies depending on context, subject, and personal learning style. Combining pen and paper with digital tools may represent the future of effective note-taking, allowing learners to harness the benefits of taking notes in both traditional and digital formats.

If you are a trainer, teacher, or leader and want your learners or meeting attendees to better understand the information you’re providing them, give them the tools they need to do so.

Mimeo makes it easy to print workbooks, manuals, presentations, and more to allow your learners and listeners to take notes directly on paper while you’re speaking.

You can also design branded pens and notebooks, to give your brand a boost while distributing information.

Scientifically proven: The effectiveness of poster

Studies on print’s effectiveness are not limited to just taking notes. Learn about why research showed that posters can increase knowledge, change attitudes and alter behavior here.