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Taking Notes
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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This is something that's been bugging me for a while. When I am in a meeting or talking with someone, I prefer to take notes with a pen and paper. It helps me remember what I'm writing and I am more likely to look at my notepad than a document on my computer.
However, my boss gets pissy when I don't bring my laptop to meetings with her or anyone else. Even if I never actually open the damn thing. I'm now in this bizarre scenario where I bring my computer to meetings in coffee shops, etc. and just leave it in my lap so she doesn't say anything about it.
Anyway, what is your preferred method of taking notes - computer or pen and paper?
-Courtney |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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i type quicker than i could write, so to get accurate and detailed notes i guess typing.
Never been in a meeting where ive had to take notes using a laptop though.. normally i jot stuff down on paper then go back and elaborate from memory |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I used to prefer taking notes on paper as i found it quicker but my writings scruffy and if i left it too long the notes wouldnt make sense. ive started using the laptop more and more now. I dont write as much but they are a better quality |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I take a notebook and my purple pen to meetings. I like old school.
(And then I can doodle when it's really dull!)  "
I prefer an electronic pen, especially when taking minutes. The end result is much more accurate and avoids selective hearing and incorrect emphasis. |
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"I take a notebook and my purple pen to meetings. I like old school.
(And then I can doodle when it's really dull!) "
 I like to doodle too. I find pen and paper is much better for taking notes. I find it quicker and the words just seem to flow easier and much more naturally somehow through a pen. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Ooooh, I haven't heard someone say 'pissy' for a long time  "
 really? I say it all the time. My boss is in a constant state of "pissy." Not usually directed at me, though. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Ooooh, I haven't heard someone say 'pissy' for a long time
really? I say it all the time. My boss is in a constant state of "pissy." Not usually directed at me, though. "
I rarely hear it, haven't heard it for over a year, last time when someone referred to a senior colleague as 'pissy knickers'. Just made me smile |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I haven't ever been in a situation when I've ever had to take notes. I really have no idea what I'd do. "
Really? Huh. I can't think of a job where I haven't had to, but I guess lots of jobs don't really require note taking... |
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Pen and paper every time for me. I like to have a hard copy and if I'm taking minutes I prefer to make notes in the margin of the minutes from the previous meeting also as so many others have said elaborate doodles are sometimes the only thing that prevents me from standing up and screaming inappropriate words. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I take a notebook and my purple pen to meetings. I like old school.
(And then I can doodle when it's really dull!) "
This for me too except I use a pencil
Today's notepad doodle ~ entwining daisy like flowers, I'm sure that probably means something |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"This is something that's been bugging me for a while. When I am in a meeting or talking with someone, I prefer to take notes with a pen and paper. It helps me remember what I'm writing and I am more likely to look at my notepad than a document on my computer.
However, my boss gets pissy when I don't bring my laptop to meetings with her or anyone else. Even if I never actually open the damn thing. I'm now in this bizarre scenario where I bring my computer to meetings in coffee shops, etc. and just leave it in my lap so she doesn't say anything about it.
Anyway, what is your preferred method of taking notes - computer or pen and paper?
-Courtney "
.
Mentally |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"This is something that's been bugging me for a while. When I am in a meeting or talking with someone, I prefer to take notes with a pen and paper. It helps me remember what I'm writing and I am more likely to look at my notepad than a document on my computer.
However, my boss gets pissy when I don't bring my laptop to meetings with her or anyone else. Even if I never actually open the damn thing. I'm now in this bizarre scenario where I bring my computer to meetings in coffee shops, etc. and just leave it in my lap so she doesn't say anything about it.
Anyway, what is your preferred method of taking notes - computer or pen and paper?
-Courtney .
Mentally"
Show off 
I believe you, though |
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"i type quicker than i could write, so to get accurate and detailed notes i guess typing."
^ This is me. I took notes electronically one time, and when I went back to pen and paper I got annoyed at how much I had to leave out just because I couldn't write fast enough. Lol.
I can type at talking speed of most people in the meetings I've been in. Not speedtalkers though. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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My work laptop is like a tank, so I'm not lugging that thing around with me to every meeting. So it's good old pen and notebook for me - I have different coloured notebooks for different types of meetings/areas of work, and a few times a week all my scribbled little notes of things to do get consolidated into a big master to-do list.
I can write by hand very quickly and without really thinking, so I find that easier when I have to make notes and participate, whereas if I was just minuting the meeting and not participating I'd probably rather just type as I go along. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"This is something that's been bugging me for a while. When I am in a meeting or talking with someone, I prefer to take notes with a pen and paper. It helps me remember what I'm writing and I am more likely to look at my notepad than a document on my computer.
However, my boss gets pissy when I don't bring my laptop to meetings with her or anyone else. Even if I never actually open the damn thing. I'm now in this bizarre scenario where I bring my computer to meetings in coffee shops, etc. and just leave it in my lap so she doesn't say anything about it.
Anyway, what is your preferred method of taking notes - computer or pen and paper?
-Courtney .
Mentally
Show off
I believe you, though "
It's all there.....
It's jumbled up a bit these days  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I'm old school too 
So much easier to take notes and make revisions 
However I have made attempts with some devices with handwriting styluses, with limited success.
I find laptops on desks a pain as they take up all the room.
Sometimes we do Skype/ conference through them so they can be useful |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Its scientifically proven you remember things you write by hand better than typed notes. This is because we transcribe into our own words as we write. Whereas typing we are more likely to just type exactly what was said.
But im a laptop girl. I use evernote and google docs because i have so many meetings and work from different places i need to be able to get to my stuff wherever i am xx |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"Its scientifically proven you remember things you write by hand better than typed notes. This is because we transcribe into our own words as we write. Whereas typing we are more likely to just type exactly what was said."
Yeah, I've heard this too. My boss doesn't seem to care |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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All depends what I'm noting down. I don't go to meetings but I often take notes for invoices or quotes over the phone. I typed one out as it was read out to me over the phone last week. Tonight I will take notes and type up the invoices after. I couldn't do minutes of a meeting,I don't know any shorthand. |
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By *igeiaWoman
over a year ago
Bristol |
My work laptop is bastard heavy so I avoid using it out and about. I've tried tablets and the like but there is no substitute for good old colour coded pens and notebooks. My favourite is one of those with an elastic band to seal it so I can text handouts in in exactly the right place to go with my notes. And the front inside cover is for post-its. If my boss ever has an issue with it, then she can just sign my IT requisition form to update my old brick of a powerbook with something more portable and sleek that doesn't need an almost permanent charger attached... |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"My work laptop is bastard heavy so I avoid using it out and about. I've tried tablets and the like but there is no substitute for good old colour coded pens and notebooks. My favourite is one of those with an elastic band to seal it so I can text handouts in in exactly the right place to go with my notes. And the front inside cover is for post-its. If my boss ever has an issue with it, then she can just sign my IT requisition form to update my old brick of a powerbook with something more portable and sleek that doesn't need an almost permanent charger attached..."
Yeah, my boss got me a nice little laptop for traveling along with a workstation so I don't really have an excuse other than hating taking notes on my computer. 
I love color coded pens and post it's. |
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I don't need to take notes in my current job, but in previous jobs I would (audio) record the meeting and take notes too, so if I was writing it up and I got stuck on my notes I'd just fast-forward the recording to find what I needed. |
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"My work laptop weighs a ton...I love paper chase for note pads "
My friends have banned me from Paperchase on pay day. This adds to Hobbycraft and HMV.
When I'm talking to residents I don't take notes as I think they open more if I'm giving them undivided attention. And with some I play pool so they open up more and taking notes at the same as playing pool tends to mean I get 8-balled.
In official meetings I use a paper and pen. I don't have 'normal' pads, all pretty ones. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I haven't ever been in a situation when I've ever had to take notes. I really have no idea what I'd do.
Really? Huh. I can't think of a job where I haven't had to, but I guess lots of jobs don't really require note taking..."
How condescending.  |
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"I haven't ever been in a situation when I've ever had to take notes. I really have no idea what I'd do.
Really? Huh. I can't think of a job where I haven't had to, but I guess lots of jobs don't really require note taking...
How condescending. "
I guess if you drive a bus or fly a plane you don't need to take notes. There are millions of jobs you wouldn't need notes for on a daily basis. |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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"I haven't ever been in a situation when I've ever had to take notes. I really have no idea what I'd do.
Really? Huh. I can't think of a job where I haven't had to, but I guess lots of jobs don't really require note taking...
How condescending. "
I didn't mean it to be. I just hadn't thought about it when I posted the thread and realized there are plenty of jobs where note taking is unnecessary. I didn't mean to condescend. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I haven't ever been in a situation when I've ever had to take notes. I really have no idea what I'd do.
Really? Huh. I can't think of a job where I haven't had to, but I guess lots of jobs don't really require note taking...
How condescending.
I guess if you drive a bus or fly a plane you don't need to take notes. There are millions of jobs you wouldn't need notes for on a daily basis. "
.
I work in the building industry and I can tell you I've got notes written everywhere...
Mostly on fag packets and chip papers like..
But I take them I tell yer  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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pencil & notebook for me, my meetings will probably have at least one flow chart and 4 or more diagrams, I also leave blank spaces and reorganise the meeting into a logical flow in my notes.
just can't do it and think of input to the meeting while typing.
Just tell your boss your creativity is silo'ed using the laptop. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I prefer to tape it, that way I can play back bits that I missed. also when I am preparing the notes they are correct a d not my interpretation of what is said.
I am awful at speed typing or writing, if I am taking notes the meeting takes twice as long. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Notebook and pen have also cut computer time for my youngest 13 and have brought her revision books ready for GCSEs as I think computers makes them lazy when it comes to reading and writing x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"This is something that's been bugging me for a while. When I am in a meeting or talking with someone, I prefer to take notes with a pen and paper. It helps me remember what I'm writing and I am more likely to look at my notepad than a document on my computer.
However, my boss gets pissy when I don't bring my laptop to meetings with her or anyone else. Even if I never actually open the damn thing. I'm now in this bizarre scenario where I bring my computer to meetings in coffee shops, etc. and just leave it in my lap so she doesn't say anything about it.
Anyway, what is your preferred method of taking notes - computer or pen and paper?
-Courtney "
It depends on the type of meeting (I'm a student and a journalist, so I take *alot* of notes.)
One to one, I always use a tape recorder. Occasionally a notepad to make key points to pick out later.
In a class (or a larger meeting where I'm not contributing much), I always use a laptop. I can type almost at the speed people speak, so I can take mostly word for word notes.
When I'm out somewhere, often standing up, I use a hardback reporters notebook. That's lectures out and about, or going to see an exhibition I'm writing up, etc. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Notebook and pen have also cut computer time for my youngest 13 and have brought her revision books ready for GCSEs as I think computers makes them lazy when it comes to reading and writing x"
FWIW, I believe I have done much better on my undergraduate degree due to taking notes with the computer, reviewing papers on the computer, and most importantly having a well-organised and searchable database of notes (thanks Evernote!).
Taking away a potentially valuable tool is not always the best way to do things. Working out the best way to use the tool is better.
And computers don't make you 'lazy' when it comes to reading and writing. People are lazy when it comes to reading and writing. When I decided I wanted to be a writer I started keeping a personal blog (I was told I was thick at school, and couldn't write properly). I then proceeded to blog, on various subjects, over a hundred thousand words - longer than The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It taught me how to write. Could I have done that with pen and paper? Not meaningfully. I also read and digest several academic articles every day online, and a book or so every week. Could I do it with paper copies? Sure. But it would take me longer to track them down to read, or print them out just to throw them away. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Not taken it away just limit time on it which is not a bad thing. Changing rules for GCSEs again less focus on course work more emphasis on exams which I don't agree with as not every child can cope with exams just doing what is best for my child. Plus so many are leaving school without proper reading and writing skills which is a shame x |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Not taken it away just limit time on it which is not a bad thing. Changing rules for GCSEs again less focus on course work more emphasis on exams which I don't agree with as not every child can cope with exams just doing what is best for my child. Plus so many are leaving school without proper reading and writing skills which is a shame x"
Indeed. My partner is heavily dyslexic and left school with virtually nothing because he could barely read and write. But discovering and using computers after he left school means that he's improved his ability to read and write massively (and he's now in a top job, beyond anything in his family could have ever dreamt of). It's not the tools that stop children reading and writing, it's the teaching. Stopping them using a method that suits and making them use an archaic method that doesn't suit them could potentially hold them back in the long run.
I'm not saying it's the right way for your daughter, I'm just saying don't blame the technology for people not being able to read and write very well. There is evidence to suggest that things like the use of smartphones have actually improved the writing ability of many young people, simply because they now write so much more than when us older people were young. |
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"Notebook and pen have also cut computer time for my youngest 13 and have brought her revision books ready for GCSEs as I think computers makes them lazy when it comes to reading and writing x
FWIW, I believe I have done much better on my undergraduate degree due to taking notes with the computer, reviewing papers on the computer, and most importantly having a well-organised and searchable database of notes (thanks Evernote!).
Taking away a potentially valuable tool is not always the best way to do things. Working out the best way to use the tool is better.
And computers don't make you 'lazy' when it comes to reading and writing. People are lazy when it comes to reading and writing. When I decided I wanted to be a writer I started keeping a personal blog (I was told I was thick at school, and couldn't write properly). I then proceeded to blog, on various subjects, over a hundred thousand words - longer than The Lord of the Rings trilogy. It taught me how to write. Could I have done that with pen and paper? Not meaningfully. I also read and digest several academic articles every day online, and a book or so every week. Could I do it with paper copies? Sure. But it would take me longer to track them down to read, or print them out just to throw them away."
Spot on. Practicing writing is quite different from practicing typing. Very different outcomes. Well written equals high impact. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I then proceeded to blog, on various subjects, over a hundred thousand words - longer than The Lord of the Rings trilogy."
ETA: Sorry, was also writing an email about my postgrad at the same time. I meant five hundred thousand words. (Should not send important emails and write on forums at the same time at 5am.) |
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"This is something that's been bugging me for a while. When I am in a meeting or talking with someone, I prefer to take notes with a pen and paper. It helps me remember what I'm writing and I am more likely to look at my notepad than a document on my computer.
However, my boss gets pissy when I don't bring my laptop to meetings with her or anyone else. Even if I never actually open the damn thing. I'm now in this bizarre scenario where I bring my computer to meetings in coffee shops, etc. and just leave it in my lap so she doesn't say anything about it.
Anyway, what is your preferred method of taking notes - computer or pen and paper?
-Courtney "
I write in shorthand. In meetings everyone is tapping away but I'm old school: shorthand pad and pencil. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Pen and pad for me...for a couple of reasons. Firstly I can drop in diagrams and aids and linking notes. Secondly, I find most of the meetings I attend people waffle, and sometimes there are language barriers, so rather than transcribing loads of meaningless nonsense I can bullet point all the important bits. Also useful for when points are returned to over and again.
Personally I find that if I'm typing I pay less attention to whats going on. |
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By *atnat85Woman
over a year ago
northwest |
Pen and pad for me. At work related educational conferences I have been known to take picture of slides using my smart phone, but I still wrote additional things on paper.
I even have a paper based diary for day to day use  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"I haven't ever been in a situation when I've ever had to take notes. I really have no idea what I'd do.
Really? Huh. I can't think of a job where I haven't had to, but I guess lots of jobs don't really require note taking...
How condescending.
I didn't mean it to be. I just hadn't thought about it when I posted the thread and realized there are plenty of jobs where note taking is unnecessary. I didn't mean to condescend."
x |
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By (user no longer on site) OP
over a year ago
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For everyone who doodles, I heard that doodling is good for memory and productivity - like dreaming at night or running in place when you're jogging and hit a light or something.
I would be interested in whether what people doodle says anything about them, though.
-Courtney |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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Pen and paper. I doodle too - much to the annoyance of a member of my team. I've always done it though so doubt I'll change now. The worse the meeting - the more doodling !
Sarah |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"For everyone who doodles, I heard that doodling is good for memory and productivity - like dreaming at night or running in place when you're jogging and hit a light or something.
I would be interested in whether what people doodle says anything about them, though.
-Courtney "
Apparently doodles are quite telling as far as psychoanalysis goes...do you box things in, how you link things etc..
Or it could be horseshit |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Its scientifically proven you remember things you write by hand better than typed notes. This is because we transcribe into our own words as we write. Whereas typing we are more likely to just type exactly what was said.
Yeah, I've heard this too. My boss doesn't seem to care "
Because they know best...bless em  |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"This is something that's been bugging me for a while. When I am in a meeting or talking with someone, I prefer to take notes with a pen and paper. It helps me remember what I'm writing and I am more likely to look at my notepad than a document on my computer.
However, my boss gets pissy when I don't bring my laptop to meetings with her or anyone else. Even if I never actually open the damn thing. I'm now in this bizarre scenario where I bring my computer to meetings in coffee shops, etc. and just leave it in my lap so she doesn't say anything about it.
Anyway, what is your preferred method of taking notes - computer or pen and paper?
-Courtney "
You can't hack a notepad. You can't leave an open door to your network or lose client data if your bag with a notepad gets lost, left on a train or gets nicked.
I have a laptop for travelling when I absolutely need it. Otherwise I take a notepad and take photos on my phone when absolutely necessary (and no, I don't have any work email/network or other links on my personal phone) |
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