Computer Versus Longhand Note Taking: Effects of Revision

• In Event: Learning in Technology-Based Environments

Abstract

The present study investigated whether note revision impacted note completeness (i.e., recording complete and partial ideas and images) and achievement for college students taking notes using computer or longhand (i.e., paper-pencil) methods. Findings did not support the notion that computers aid note taking and learning. Longhand and computer note takers alike stored many partial ideas in their notes and computer note takers struggled to record images in notes. Longhand note takers added more ideas and images to their notes during revision and performed higher on the lecture posttest than computer note takers. Findings suggest that training students to revise notes and to finish partial ideas and images in their notes could improve note-taking quantity and learning, especially for computer users.

Authors

• Abraham Flanigan, Georgia Southern University

• Junrong Lu, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

• Dzhovid Dzhuraev, University of Nebraska - Lincoln

• Kenneth A. Kiewra, University of Nebraska