Take notes at the conference: Effective and fast

Despite the modern technology and the opportunity to attend the conference in another city (if not on the other continent) without looking up from desk chair with the help of video calls, we still occasionally going on "live" meeting. And sometimes you have to do a lot of notes (especially at the seminars) and at the same time keep in mind the many important tasks. You have forgotten how to write notes? Then this post will help you to refresh your memory of the student!

If multitasking - is your middle name, then do not worry. But very often this kind of conferences and seminars due to the fact that in parallel we think about the other tasks, notes turn into completely unrelated set of words.

How to focus? Here are three tips that you should keep in mind:

Remember where you are now, be careful. This means active listening, monitoring of visual material (slides, graphics), and full attention to the lecture. Of course, you can record audio or video, read the live broadcast on Twitter, but it's still no substitute for the real presence at the lecture. No talking with a neighbor, attention to detail!

Determine what you need these notes. Understanding of the purpose (for a presentation, blog, etc.) will help you focus on the recording and determine the form in which the style of taking notes.
Get advance information on the technical support of the lecture. Will there be a sufficient number of outlets for laptops and phones, wireless internet access? This information will help you determine the tools for taking notes.

We use tools to improve quality notes

According to research by the speed of writing on paper, the average rate of student writing on paper 0.3-0.4 words per second. While reading a lecturer at a speed of 2-3 words per second. With such a difference in speed is not surprising that many people do not have time to write everything down. There are several ways to deal with the problem:

Do not rely solely on text notes. As long as we do those c notes using a pen on paper, the difference in speed does not allow us to rely on the fact that we managed to record. That's why we have to use additional materials - pictures of important slides with audio lectures. You can also use a variety of applications in which you can record in a variety of formats (Evernote, Springpad, FolderBoy and Notepub).

Use quick tools. Do not just look at the download time and recall, also take into account your own speed using this instrument itself. What are your options. It is important to find exactly the tool with which you are comfortable to work with. (Does not fit all applications for handwriting recognition or the alphanumeric keyboard). You can also use SMS abbreviations, macros and applications to complete the words to increase the recording speed.

Process your notes. And it's better to do it immediately after the lecture, while the memory is still fresh. In this case, you can start looking for additional information from other sources and to connect things that you have learned in a lecture together. Good tools for this - Apollo and A.nnotate.

Remember how you were a student, did not hesitate to take notes in lectures of other participants. In addition, you can wait for the bloggers lay out your notes online, and use them. All these sources can be moments that you missed. But at the same time you also need to share their notes. So do not be greedy. The more information you collect, the more complete will be your record.

And most importantly - it's practice, practice and more practice!