Taking Notes in Class By Hand or By Keyboard

Earlier in the week, Lifehacker highlighted a post at Carolyn Blogs titled "My Classmates Are Taking Their Notes Digitally, But I Can’t Fathom How They Keep Up." That's me, too... my preferred OS is a pad of paper and a pen. 

But the debate ensued at Lifehacker and they posted some highlights, today. 

So, how about we settle it once and for all?-- with a comprehensive comparison of by-hand and by-keyboard notetaking tactics. I've scoured the Lifehacker post, the web and my own (amazing) brain. I'll tally the official pros and cons of each, and keep the list right here. Leave your additions in the comments. 

Advantages of Keyboarding

• Faster (with practice)
• Easy erasure and/or re-ordering
• Standardized/legible
• Easy to share/collaborate
• Searchable
• Accessible remotely
• Unlimited space
• Easy to back-up
• Potential to copy/paste into assignments and papers
• Has a built-in reference materials
• Can include real images

Advantages of Using Your Hands 

• Easily create diagrams/visuals
• Faster with special symbols
• Cheap
• Helps you retain information
• Unlimited battery life
• Easy on the eyes
• Less bothersome noise
• Potentially more portable
• No online poker (and other distractions)

Advantages of Using a Tablet

[we're not even going to go there!]

Let's not forget that both can give you carpal tunnel syndrome. Maybe the best option is to not take notes at all...

Comments

[Pete]

"Using your hands" allows the option of doodling also; this could be a pro or con I guess

[Shep McAllister]

I type exclusively, and run a google image search for any diagrams the teacher uses (if they are common). Depending on how fast I type on my future iPad, I may use that for notes if I could seamlessly switch from typing to handwriting in the same document. If the Evernote app will allow for this, all the better.

[Printing Quotes | UPrinting Coupons]

For me I go for taking notes with hands. I agree that more info are retained when you write down notes manually. I guess it really depends on the person eh.

[Michelle | OnlinePosterPrinting.com]

My fave way to take notes is by pen and paper myself. I like to doodle to keep interested. I doodle on my notes to keep it interesting and keep me awake. I can participate more that way.

[Dan Northernn]

Good Comparison here. I currently use the old paper and pen method (mainly because a few of my classes don't allow laptops), but I'm trying to start typing them more because it just seems more efficient. Plus it's easier to post them to notes-sharing websites.

[Harriet]

Personally I use a smartpen, so I write with pen and paper, but it also records the audio and can be uploaded to my pc and the internet. I'm using it in my current research project, see my recent blog post: Out and about with the Livescribe"

[acompanhantes]

I really enjoyed your article, I tweet!

[Craig | fusedreality]

I used to always type my notes but I always found myself getting distracted and not taking everything else. Now I'm writing again, but making sure I scan them into Evernote later.

That might change though when I get myself an iPad, but that's to be seen...