PART 2 of SchoolsPLP's
three part series:
Effective Online Learners

PART 2:
Effective Note-Taking Skills and Bite-Sized Learning!

by Gordon Gower

As a SchoolsPLP Senior Training & Support Lead, Gordon Gower brings over 20 years of experience in teaching at Title I middle schools and training educators on how to effectively implement online learning strategies. Here Gordon shares insights for students about creating an effective learning space, goal setting & understanding SchoolsPLP course schedules and pace dates.

Taking notes is a fundamental skill that plays a crucial role in your academic journey. When you actively engage with online learning by jotting down key points, you create a personalized record of the information. This not only helps you stay organized but also serves as a valuable resource for reviewing and reinforcing your understanding of various concepts. By taking notes consistently, you develop a habit that enhances your ability to retain and recall information, which is very useful during exam preparation. And remember, you don’t have to write down EVERYTHING you read! 

Master your note-taking skills with SchoolsPLP!

If you're still getting accustomed to note taking, SchoolsPLP has you covered. To make notes for a course or a lesson, click on the Notes icon on the left side of the screen. You can also record question notes by clicking the folded paper icon next to an assessment question. Also if your teacher has added any note taking templates from the SchoolsPLP Teacher’s Toolkit, you can use these fillable templates like, T-charts, Venn diagrams, and story maps to take notes.

Whether you're reviewing for assignments, quizzes, or unit tests, having a clear set of notes allows you to quickly locate and revisit important information. In her article “Why is Note-Taking Important,” Claire Dibben points out that when you reflect on what you’ve learned by viewing your notes, you are reinforcing concepts and strengthening your understanding of the topic. This efficiency not only saves time but also contributes to more effective study sessions. Taking notes is a practical and essential skill that empowers you to take control of your learning and gain a deeper comprehension of the subjects you encounter.

SchoolsPLP’s curriculum appeals to multiple learning styles, and the “bite sized” instructional model is available in this chunking content style. Learning objects are split into instructional text (Read Its), which are separate from independent practice (Practice Its), and assessments (Assess Its), so too much time is not spent on a single activity. See an example of bite-sized instructional design on the left.

The spotlight tool also helps break reading into smaller chunks, so the focus is on the highlighted parts of the text. And, if you need to take a break and come back to an assessment later, the allow save and continue setting and the question bookmarking tool allows you pick up right where you left off. Instructors using SchoolsPLP can also add release dates for individual students, which also breaks your learning load into more manageable chunks. See an example of the spotlight tool on the right.

Effective online learners possess several efficient skills, taking notes and breaking learning into manageable chunks are just two of them. Luckily SchoolsPLP provides the tools and instructional designs to strengthen both and set you up for success!