Study Skills for Higher Education: Reading and Note Taking Techniques

This essay discusses important reading techniques and note taking methods to become an efficient reader in higher education. Techniques like SQ3R, skimming, scanning, active reading, and detailed reading are discussed.

Skills for Higher
Education

Table of Contents
Assessment 1 - Individual essay......................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................1
Four learning styles included in the VARK model................................................................1
Personal experience: own learning style/ styles and any techniques use to help study better3
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................4
REFERENCES................................................................................................................................4
Books and Journals.................................................................................................................4
Assessment 2 - Individual essay......................................................................................................5
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................5
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................5
Identify important reading techniques that can help students become more efficient readers.5
Discuss four methods of note taking that will help students remember new information.....7
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
References:.....................................................................................................................................11
Books and Journals...............................................................................................................11

Assessment 1 - Individual essay
INTRODUCTION
In the contemporary educational approach, personalized learning is the most useful learning
method in which students are provided with customised learning with the aim to provide the
learning as per the student’s skills, interest and needs. In the current educational system the
personalized learning is highly valuable and important to drive the student to gain success in
school. To support personalized learning and educators plan there is introduced a model called
VARK model that assist the learner in optimizing the learning strategies and habits (Husmann
and O'Loughlin, 2019). Under this model there are four different learning styles for students to
decide there personal way of learning as per their interest. The present essay aims to discuss four
learning styles of VARK model. In addition to this there is personal reflection on my learning
style and techniques I may use to study better.
MAIN BODY
Four learning styles included in the VARK model
In the modern education system students and the learners are required to stay informed of
the different base and the strategies that are available to provide personalized learning
experience. Full student it is very important to differentiate instructions and understanding in the
form of personalized learning therefore every learner choose their specific learning style. The
VARK model is designed to provide four learning style that reinforce personalized learning
(Espinoza-Poves, Miranda-Vilchez and Chafloque-Céspedes, 2019). The model is designed by
the Neil Fleming and has aim to develop this model to help students and learners to learn more
through their preferences. The VARK stands for Visual, Auditory, Read/Write and Kinaesthetic
(What are VARK Learning Styles?,2022). All these are the four learning styles that are
introduced in the form of VARK model that are discussed below:
1

Visual learning style: it is the learning approach in which individual learns best through the
visual content. In this visual learner preference for learning is through watching the charts,
graphs, diagrams, videos, illustrations and much more (Mirza and Khurshid, 2020). These are
the learners that convert the words into images in their brain as vegetables and more helpful in
meeting their needs. Visual learners more try to learn through detailed notes that are colour
coded and have lots of images and doodling making the information easier and quicker to
process.
Auditory learning style: this is the form of learning style also known as Aural learning in which
the learner’s best learn by listening to the information communicated verbally in the form of
audio or face to face. Such learners pay high attention and focus on listening to others in order to
gather information. It is often said that person who listens actively learners quickly (Díaz and et.
al., 2018). In this learning style the learner supplement their learning through audio and video
materials. Also these learners enjoy group discussions, reading aloud, exchanging ideas etc.
Read/write learning styles: this is the style of learning in which learner prefer to learn through
the information presented in the form of text. Such learners to focus on the information displayed
in words to learn faster. To learn faster these learners first read the information and then rewrite
again. They also convert diagrams and illustration in the form of statements as their preference is
2

to learn through words. Such learners mostly prefer notes, pdf etc. to learn in best way (Sintia,
Rusnayati and Samsudin, 2019).
Kinaesthetic learning style: this learning style is also referred as the hand on experience as the
learner retains information through their senses. Learners that prefer this learning style prefers to
learn through experience such as live experiments, moving, game learning etc. In this the
students of the class are highly active in gaining experience to learn new information due to this
these learner prefer project based learning (Alzain and et. al., 2018).
Personal experience: own learning style/ styles and any techniques use to help study better
After analysing the above learning styles I have evaluated that my personal preference of the
learning styles are visual learning and read and write learning style. As per my personal
experience of the learning in the higher education I have always preferred to learn through visual
data as I found it more easy to understand and quicker the learn as it stays in the mind for long.
In order to study better through visual learning style I will use the technique of sketch notes. This
is the technique in which I will be using the combination of pictures or doodling and text
together to learn more accurately and quickly. Also to learn and study fast through this learning
style I will draw structured diagrams, use PowerPoint presentation, use graphic organizers etc. to
support my visual learning style. Also to learn through visual content I will tend to pay more
attention and focus to details and body language to process the information in better way for the
better study. Colour coded notes is also the effective technique as the visual learner to
incorporate good and better study.
As per my personal analysis as the learner I also prefer to learn through the read and write
learning style because I prefer to learn through words in some format. For me learning is
incomplete without writing and reading the notes, assessments and class preparation. I mostly
interact through written notes to study better. To gain better study and learning I will use the
technique that includes the creation of presentation in which large amount of information is taken
and then transformed into presentation as this will also satisfy my visual learning style. There are
some blogging tools like Kidblog, Buncee, Storyboard, and PowerPoint that helps in this
technique. For this I also prefer to develop hand written notes for fast and effective learning
(Halif and et. al., 2020).
3

CONCLUSION
It is concluded from the above information that for the student the personalised learning is
key to success in modern educational system. Also the personalised learning the key trend for the
students to have better understanding of the subject. VARK model is the highly effective tool
and contains effective learning methods for students to learn in their best way of learning that
suits their learning most. In the modern learning and study pattern of personalization
Kinaesthetic learning style is highly preferred by students. This style provides the learners with
life long experience and effective learning as well.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Alzain, A and et. al., 2018. Adaptive education based on learning styles: Are learning style
instruments precise enough?. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in
Learning, 13(09), pp.41-52.
Espinoza-Poves, J.L., Miranda-Vilchez, W.A. and Chafloque-Céspedes, R., 2019. The Vark
Learning Styles among University Students of Business Schools. Journal of Educational
Psychology-Propositos y Representaciones, 7(2), pp.401-415.
Husmann, P.R. and O'Loughlin, V.D., 2019. Another nail in the coffin for learning styles?
Disparities among undergraduate anatomy students’ study strategies, class performance,
and reported VARK learning styles. Anatomical sciences education, 12(1), pp.6-19.
Mirza, M.A. and Khurshid, K., 2020. Impact of VARK learning model at tertiary level
education. International Journal of Educational and Pedagogical Sciences, 14(5),
pp.359-366.
Halif, M.M and et. al., 2020. Moderating Effects of Student Motivation on the Relationship
between Learning Styles and Student Engagement. Asian Journal of University
Education, 16(2), pp.94-103.
Sabiston, D. and Leung, A., 2020. The role of student and instructor VARK learning styles in
principles of economics. Issues in Educational Research, 30(4), pp.1502-1521.
Díaz, F.S and et. al., 2018, March. An adaptive e-learning platform with VARK learning styles
to support the learning of object orientation. In 2018 IEEE World Engineering Education
Conference (EDUNINE) (pp. 1-6). IEEE.
Sintia, I., Rusnayati, H. and Samsudin, A., 2019, November. VARK learning style and
cooperative learning implementation on impulse and momentum. In Journal of Physics:
Conference Series (Vol. 1280, No. 5, p. 052032). IOP Publishing.
What are VARK Learning Styles?,2022,[Online], Available through:<
https://blog.definedlearning.com/blog/what-are-vark-learning-styles>
4

Assessment 2 - Individual essay
INTRODUCTION
In the higher education there is need of reading and learning a lot of new information for
which there is required of researching and reading data from books, journals and case studies.
This facilitates a student or learner to develop their reading skills in order to become efficient
reader. Reading is not a easy task as it requires focus and motive for reading. A student reading
the information also requires another skill called note taking skills. A reader always needs to
develop regular notes of their reading to ensure that they haven't forget the new read information.
Therefore with the effective reading skills necessity of effective note taking skills is mandatory
or complementary as they are essential for college student. The present essay will discuss the
different reading technique that could help student to become more efficient reader. Further,
there is discussion on four methods of note taking to assist the student remember new
information.
MAIN BODY
Identify important reading techniques that can help students become more efficient readers.
Students are required to read a lot as to gain information necessary for becoming
successful reader and to gain opportunities to develop in future. Students at the higher education
are asked to read reserved papers, news articles, lecture slides and much more. For the reader or
to help student it is very important to become more efficient reader for which there are different
ready techniques that help student to become efficient reader are discussed below:
Technique 1: The SQ3R reading technique: the foremost reading technique comprises of five
different steps, each step focus on one goal to get closer to full data of text (Reading Techniques
– Enhance Your Academic Skills,2022). This includes steps like:
Survey: firstly survey the piece of information to get the idea of the content and the pattern of
reading. By this individual prepare a mindset for reading.
Question: construct the question for one to go over as the person read the content. For example
the easiest way to do so is by converting the titles of the paragraph into questions. For instance a
5

paragraph title is leaders of world war, this could transform into who are the leaders of world war
and what they all do?
Read: then read the content with keeping the questions in mind and can be combined with other
ready techniques like scanning etc.
Recite: it’s a revision stage where the person again goes through the content to answer the
questions created in beginning.
Review: prepare the mind notes or say it loud what is learned through reading. This must be done
without looking at the notes or content.
Technique 2: Skimming - this is the reading technique which is mostly termed as getting the
gist of the text (Reading Techniques – Enhance Your Academic Skills,2022). This ready
technique allows an individual to glance over the content to recognise what exactly a reader is
looking for. This technique is best used when reader is already aware about the general idea of
the content. With this reading technique the reader can skim material before going for the whole
reading. The readers use this reading technique for quick research, quick revision before
examination, going out for speech last minute or product reviews. The advantage of this reading
technique skimming to the students or readers is that it saves a lot of time if person also needs to
review the content.
Technique 3: Scanning- a most common and highly used reading method used by the readers.
In this readers simply run their eyes over the reading material, by this they try to recognise there
interest for the content or what they are actually for to read, or find something that pops in the
mind (Reading Techniques – Enhance Your Academic Skills,2022). This reading technique is
commonly used for daily non academic reading such as reading magazines and newspaper
articles, a food or drink menu and much more. This is the fastest way of reading in order to
search for specific information. This helps the reader to become efficient reader as this makes the
reader fast and highly focused and facts.
Technique 4: Active reading- this reading technique is all about reading a every single word of
the content as this gives a reader a much more in depth understanding of the content making a
person efficient reader (Reading Techniques – Enhance Your Academic Skills,2022). This
method of reading is used when the reader is required to read something tricky and complex
which will require a critical thinking of the reader to understand the text. Such readers are termed
6

as active readers and the also the efficient readers. To read actively Reader must put up questions
throughout the text and in the end reflect and review those questions.
Technique 5: Detailed reading- this method of reading is highly labour intensive and time
consuming reading technique (Reading Techniques – Enhance Your Academic Skills,2022). In
this reader is highly focused and careful while reading, consuming and analysis every single
word for correct meaning. Piecing together the meaning of the words in a single sentence to gain
deeper understanding is highly time taking and requires a patience. This reading technique is best
suited to the readers that are wishing to read scholarly research articles, poetic literature or
medical reports.
Technique: 6 structures-proposition-evaluation- this method of reading is generally termed as
SPE reading technique was introduced by the Mortimer Adler in his book "How to read a book"
(Reading Techniques – Enhance Your Academic Skills,2022). As per the author the best and most
efficient way of reading a book is by finding the structure, author made proposition and then to
create the reader own evaluation. Usage of this reading technique by reader requires a time and
understanding of the concept as the reader will first identify the structure of the text and build an
layout on the mind. After this, reader will search for logical propositions that go into each
section of the layout. In the end the reader is required to develop evaluation from arguments and
propositions to make readers own conclusion.
It is critically evaluated that all the above techniques of the reading will help a reader to
gain efficiency and fluency in the reading. Also through such techniques the readers will be able
to decode the text accurately and quickly. This will also help the reader in improving the
vocabulary making a reader a rich and efficient reader through different reading skills.
Discuss four methods of note taking that will help students remember new information
In modern education system there is huge importance of note taking skills as there is bundles
of information that student is required to learn or read which makes them feel forgetting new
information. Therefore, students prefer the method of note taking as they listen write it down in
their own language and key terms. For effective note taking skills the person must have active
Learning rather than passive learning. It is highly observed that for students and learners to
remember new information they are required to develop note taking skills. in order to help the
students with remembering new information there are methods of note taking out off which 4
note taking methods are discussed below:
7

The Cornell Method
This is the method of note taking that contains systematic format for liquefying and
organising the notes without just copying the whole data. As per this methods after writing the
notes in the main space of the structure, the writer must utilize the left hand space to label or title
the each idea and detail them with clue words (Common Note-taking Methods,2021).
Method: to create a structure rule the sheet by leaving margin of 2 inch on left, a six inch on
right in which notes will be prepared. During the listening in class note down information in six
inch area on right. When the instructor shifts to next topic, skip few lines. As the class gets over
compete the left over sentences and phrases and write cue for every bit information on left.
Advantage:
 The benefit of this note taking technique is that it is highly organized and structural for
recording and revising the notes.
 It is easy form of note taking as it helps in pulling out key concepts and ideas.
 Simple and saves time and efforts.
 This is highly beneficial in long lecture sessions
The Outlining Method
Dash or indented outlining is usually best form of note taking expect for the topic or
subjects like science classes like physics or math (Common Note-taking Methods,2021). In this
note Taking method the general information is starts at the left with each more specific bundle of
8

facts indented with right side spaces. Through indenting the relationship between varied part are
carried out. In this there is no usage or requirement of Roman numerals, alphabets or numbers.
Method: firstly listen than note down in points in organised pattern on the basis of the space
indention. In this the key points are placed farthest to left. On the right indent more specific
point. Levels of importance will be signified by distance far from major point.
Advantage:
 Well organised system and most importantly it records content and relationship between
text.
 It reduces the need of editing as well as it is easy to review by transforming main points into
questions.
 This method is most useful when note taking skills are sharp and precise to handle outlining.
The Mapping method
This note taking method requires a concentration and comprehension skills that are
further evolved into note taking form which relates each idea to other idea (Common Note-taking
Methods,2021). This form of note taking method is in the form of graphical representation of the
9

text of the lecture. This is highly interesting and maximizes the active participation of the
learners and helps in gaining immediate knowledge helping the students to remember new
information. This note taking method emphasizes on critical thinking, and understanding on the
subjects. It is used when text of the lecture is organised and heavy.
Advantage:
 This note taking method helps the student to visually track the lecture information making it
easy to understand.
 This method requires little thinking and link between information is easily seen.
 Editing is highly easy and quick in such notes by adding numbers, marks etc.
The Charting method
If the format of lectures are distinct then the reader or the learner must utilise this method
of note taking in which on the paper the columns are drawn and labelling the suitable heading on
the table (Common Note-taking Methods,2021).
Method: firstly the different categories must be determined that are covered in the session. Rule
the columns on the paper and head them with categories determined.
Advantage
 This helps the learner in focusing on both facts and relationship.
 It helps to track conversation which is loosed out in the lecture sessions.
 Reduces extra amount of writing making the notes more precise and easy to memorize.
10

CONCLUSION
It is concluded from the above information that for the student to develop higher educational
skills it is very important to focus on two most important skills i.e. reading and note taking skills.
For a. Learner effective reading skills helps in understanding the content deeply and also it
brings fluency in speaking. There are different ready techniques among which skimming and
scanning are the two top most and most commonly used techniques by the readers. Note taking
skills are essential for the reading skills in order to remember and review what is read. Therefore
there are different methods of note taking and mapping method is the most important method as
it is precise and helps both visual and read and write learners.
References:
Books and Journals
ALSHEHRİ, A., 2021. The Effect of Adaptive Text Presentation Techniques on Acquires
Expressive Reading Skills of Elementary School Students. International Journal of
Humanities and Cultural Studies (IJHCS) ISSN 2356-5926, 7(3), pp.104-121.
ARIFITRIYANTI, I.A., 2021. Enhancing the Students’ Reading Comprehension Achievement
through Skimming and Scanning Techniques in Senior High School. EFL Education
Journal, 8(3), pp.16-23.
11

Aritonang, I.R., Lasmana, S. and Kurnia, D., 2019. The analysis of skimming and scanning
technique to improve students in teaching reading comprehension. PROJECT
(Professional Journal of English Education), 1(2), pp.101-106.
Aşıksoy, G., 2019. Computer-based concept mapping as a method for enhancing the
effectiveness of concept learning in technology-enhanced learning. Sustainability, 11(4),
p.1005.
Batur, Z., Başar, M. and Süzen, H.N., 2019. Critical visual reading skills of
students. International Journal of Education and Literacy Studies, 7(3), pp.38-48.
Dhillon, B.P.S., Herman, H. and Syafryadin, S., 2020. The Effect of Skimming Method to
Improve Students’ Ability in Reading Comprehension on Narrative Text. Linguists:
Journal Of Linguistics and Language Teaching, 6(1), pp.77-88.
Green, N.R and et. al., 2018. Charting physical literacy journeys within physical education
settings. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 37(3), pp.272-279.
Joyce, R.L. and Boyle, J.R., 2020. Improving note-taking skills for students with disabilities
through a smartpen intervention. Journal of Special Education Technology, 35(4),
pp.225-235.
Mambetaliyeva, M., Bakhiyeva, A. and Zhumagali, A., 2021. Techniques of working with texts
to develop reading skills.
Maulidia, K., Ys, S.B. and Silviyanti, T.M., 2021. Using Cornell Note-Taking to Improve
Listening Comprehension. Research in English and Education Journal, 6(2), pp.52-61.
Renz, S.M., Carrington, J.M. and Badger, T.A., 2018. Two strategies for qualitative content
analysis: An intramethod approach to triangulation. Qualitative health research, 28(5),
pp.824-831.
Widiawati, T., Nuraida, I. and Saputri, S.W., 2020. IMPROVING THE STUDENT’S READING
SKILL TROUGH SQ3R TECHNIQUE IN MTS AL-KHAIRIYAH. Interference:
Journal of Language, Literature, and Linguistics, 1(1).
Reading Techniques – Enhance Your Academic Skills,2022,[Online], Available through: <
https://www.uopeople.edu/blog/reading-techniques/>
Common Note-taking Methods,2021,[Online], Available through:<
https://www.utc.edu/enrollment-management-and-student-affairs/center-for-academic-
support-and-advisement/tips-for-academic-success/note-taking>
12