Technology vs. Pen/Paper

[OneCutAtATime]

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I am stuck in between deciding if I want to purchase a Surface Pro 4 as my main source of note-taking and organization and whatnot. I'm majoring in Biology, so would I benefit more from digitizing my notes or should I stick to the traditional route of pen and paper?

Also, if you think the Surface Pro 4 is a good idea, which model should i get?

 

[PreMedicallyBlonde]

Digitalization of notes for sure. Get OneNote on your device, and look up on YouTube how to use it effectively so that when you walk into class you know how to do it. My notes last semester were BEAUTIFUL with pictures and diagrams and what not. OneNote also will read your touch screen so you can draw on your notes - I have a MacBook so I couldn't utilities this unfortunately but it would have been great. I'd definitely look into the program - it's free if it doesn't already come pre installed on your device.

It's so nice being able to have your notes with you within such a small device. Not to mention how much paper you're saving. As biology major's we like notes (a lot) and that can equate to lots of paper.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

 

[pstrick]

I always found pen and paper to be more useful.

I like to draw arrows and underline terms to connect ideas. It was also helpful to tear out pages/fold over corners so I could mark the parts I needed to review.

With a tablet, you lose the ability to lay out all of your notes and make maps that link all the concepts. It's like a notebook, but you can only see a single page/idea at a time. Very limiting.

 

[desiredmembername123]

I feel like with technology you lose out on spatial recognition of your notes.

 

[Espressso]

This is totally dependent on each person... and to me, dependent on the class. I prefer using hand written notes while in class. but I've been in lectures where it'st easier to type everything. However, with hand written notes you are hearing the lecture, writing the lecture, and reading the notes you just write. And you can use different color pens more easily than changing font colors on your computer.

 

[JustintheDoctor]

I always found pen and paper to be more useful.

I like to draw arrows and underline terms to connect ideas. It was also helpful to tear out pages/fold over corners so I could mark the parts I needed to review.

With a tablet, you lose the ability to lay out all of your notes and make maps that link all the concepts. It's like a notebook, but you can only see a single page/idea at a time. Very limiting.

You can do this easily on an SP4 or iPad pro lol. I tag my notes and specific parts all the time (I use an iPad pro after my surface had issues)

 

[wcohen93]

Digitalization of notes for sure. Get OneNote on your device, and look up on YouTube how to use it effectively so that when you walk into class you know how to do it. My notes last semester were BEAUTIFUL with pictures and diagrams and what not. OneNote also will read your touch screen so you can draw on your notes - I have a MacBook so I couldn't utilities this unfortunately but it would have been great. I'd definitely look into the program - it's free if it doesn't already come pre installed on your device.

It's so nice being able to have your notes with you within such a small device. Not to mention how much paper you're saving. As biology major's we like notes (a lot) and that can equate to lots of paper.


Sent from my iPhone using SDN mobile

Any particular vids you can link?
Just got an sp4 and have been using it ti take notes for my edx courses and so far so good!

 

[Mad Jack]

I retain things better with pen and paper, but resorted to typing things out because there's simply so much information that my carpal tunnel was really starting to get in the way.

 

[pstrick]

You can do this easily on an SP4 or iPad pro lol. I tag my notes and specific parts all the time (I use an iPad pro after my surface had issues)

Short of buying a second tablet, there's not really any way to place 2 full-size pages side by side.
For me, that's a deal breaker.

 

[PreMedicallyBlonde]

Any particular vids you can link?
Just got an sp4 and have been using it ti take notes for my edx courses and so far so good!

This video looked pretty good - I would just go into YouTube and type in 'OneNote for SurfacePro 4'. That's what I did and tons of videos popped up.

While I agree, that being able to see things side by side would be nice, I have found that I haven't found an issue with not being able to view enough in OneNote since I have it on a continuous scroll, and if for whatever reason I needed to see more, I'd just zoom out. But I completely get why that might be an issue. For both of my labs next semester I'll be doing pen and paper in class then transferring it to digital once a week or something. I just find it easier to have all together that way plus when I go to make study guides, it's simpler because my notes from one exam to the next are already typed for me.