What are Guided Notes? Guided Notes are teacher-prepared
hand-outs that outline or map lectures, but leave "blank" space for
key concepts, facts, definitions, etc. As the lecture progresses, you
then fills in the spaces with content.
Guided notes help you follow a lecture, identify its important points, and
develop a foundation of content to study and to apply.
If you have difficulty taking notes, ask your teacher if he or she can
prepare guided notes to help you improve your note taking.
Here are several strategies in completing and using Guided Notes:
Content:
Cues: Can your teacher add visual cues (highlighting,
bullets, "fingers", circles, numbered sequences, images, etc.) that
identify the type or quantity of information to complete? For
example: main and secondary ideas, examples, sequences
Visuals: Can visual information (charts, graphs, pictures,
illustrations, concept maps, etc.) be included for completion
References: Can these be included for comparison and study?
Before the lecture:
Questions/discussion Is there opportunity to discuss
the guided notes, either during or after the lecture?
Model/checklist: Is there a model or checklist to
follow? (How much do I write? Have I completed all the blanks?
Where can I find missing items?)
Versions: Are there simpler or progressively more
complex versions of the guided notes? Can I begin with the simpler
(less writing) and work up to more difficult versions that require
more information?
After the lecture:
Class review: Ask if the class can review the
guided notes for comparison and/or feedback?
Media type, format, presentation: Ask if completed
guided notes can be displayed via computer or overhead
transparency for demonstration, discussion, or developing examples
and relationships?
After the class period:
Teacher review: Review your guided notes with the
teacher to see how you did
Models: Ask your teacher for a completed copy and
compare your notes with the model
Peer review: Exchange your notes with a friend to
compare and identify important content
Examples: Develop examples from your notes to see if
you understand
Evaluation:
Tests/exams: Ask if questions will be drawn from
completed guided notes information?
Student-developed guided notes Can these be used for
an evaluation? as a class project?
Website overview:
Kiosk guides for learning are a freely accessible educational environment that offers strategies to recognize and realize learning objectives. We accept individual differences without regard to ability and creed; sexual and affectional orientation; caste, tribal and national affiliation; individual, familial and collective history. Our suggestions should be thoughtfully considered for appropriateness and guidance to your situation, relying on elders, mentors, cohorts and/or professionals to achieve learning objectives and outcomes.