Rationale
Process
Images of Cornell Note-taking
Process when using an article as Stimulus Material
English-Reading Example
More Resources
YouTube Videos
Examples within the On the Job website

Rationale

It is a system for taking, organizing and reviewing notes and has been devised by Prof. Walter Pauk of Cornell University in the 1950s. The Cornell Method has been and remains one of the most popular note-taking strategies among students today. Cornell notes is a type of note making that helps students determine which details are important to include for summary (Miller & Veatch, 2011). The technique can be seen below and in the accompanying diagrams. According to Ruschhaupt (2010), the Cornell method helps keep information organized so it is easier to focus on the main points, and it is an efficient way to take notes. It requires very little preparation which makes it ideal for note taking in class.

As always, it is important to model and guide students through examples before they do this activity on their own. For the model start with a recently learned text and go over the details of how to take notes on something they are already familiar with. This will serve as a good review and help students learn the new skill.

Process

1. You simply divide up your notes into 3 sections. The right column is home to the general area. This is where you keep your most important ideas that the teacher has covered during class. It is important that you try to summarize as much as possible and to be smart when note-taking.

The left area serves to compliment the general area. Writing notes in the margins helps us understand and relate each part of our notes. This section may develop during the class itself, or at the end of it. The last section labelled ‘summary’ should be left blank during class. It is intended for use when you are reviewing/ studying the class notes. This lessens the need to keep up with the teacher’s delivery and write fast. You should try to develop a short summary of key points in this section for greater reflection of the class notes.

The following image is in inches here is the conversion into cms.

Conversion [all rounded up]

2 inches    = 5cm 
2.5 inches = 6.5cm
6 inches    = 15cm
8.5 inches = 21.6cm
11 inches  = 28cm

2. For the next section have students work with partners to fill in the Cornell notes sheet (or have them make their own in their notes) together. The teacher will monitor progress by walking around the room guiding and answering questions.

3. After students finish, go over the notes together and decide on the main points for each section and determine the best summary that focuses on the objectives.

4. Finally, have students complete a third section independently. Check student understanding of the summarizing technique and re-teach if necessary. Then students can use the method on their own to help study effectively.

5. Exams. Besides being a very efficient way of taking great notes in class, Cornell note taking is THE perfect tip for exam preparation. Here’s why:

• The system itself encourages you to reflect on your notes by actively summarizing them in their own words.

• Often, this can already be enough to remember study notes and to successfully pass an exam.

• When reviewing the notes it’s also useful to reorder objects on the page, for example, to add a solution to an answer on the side to the notes.
  

In summary

Note Taking Area: Record lecture as fully and as meaningfully as possible.

Cue Column: As you're taking notes, keep cue column empty. Soon after the lecture, reduce your notes to concise jottings as clues for Reciting, Reviewing, and Reflecting.

Summaries: Sum up each page of your notes in a sentence or two.

This format provides the perfect opportunity for following through with the 5 R's of note-taking:

• Record: During the lecture, record in the main column as many meaningful facts and ideas as you can. Write legibly.

• Reduce: As soon after as possible, summarize these facts and ideas concisely in the Cue Column. Summarizing clarifies meanings and relationships, reinforces continuity, and strengthens memory.

• Recite: Cover the Note Taking Area, using only your jottings in the Cue Column, say over the facts and ideas of the lecture as fully as you can, not mechanically, but in your own words. Then, verify what you have said.

• Reflect: Draw out opinions from your notes and use them as a starting point for your own reflections on the course and how it relates to your other courses. Reflection will help prevent ideas from being inert and soon forgotten.

• Review: Spend 10 minutes every week in quick review of your notes, and you will retain most of what you have learned.

Images of Cornell Note-taking

The pictures below shows the basic format for the Cornell note-taking.

or

Process when using an article as Stimulus Material

Teacher

This method is to show students how to effectively summarise an article using the Cornell Notes Method. You need to know this method before commencing the activity.

Cooperative Learning Activity

This is a Cooperative Learning Activity initially as it helps the students to gain confidence with the method.

After going through the Method, you (the teacher) need to check student understanding of the summarizing technique and re-teach if necessary. Then students can use the method on their own to help study effectively and also to read articles effectively. Get the students to take particular note of the article in the Conversation: "Note-taking by hand: A powerful tool to support memory" The Conversation 31 August 2020

Students

Overview.

This activity was developed at Cornell University (USA) to help students summarise. You need to write (not type) as this is part of the brain's remembering process.

1. Take a new one page note paper with the sizes below.

Individually, you are to divide up a new note page into 3 sections. Look at the image below and follow this template. Use the "Note Taking Area" as your own notes from the stimulus material in this case.

This right column is home to the general area. This is where you keep your most important ideas that the article is describing. It is important that you try to summarize as much as possible and to be smart when note-taking (in class or other stimulus material).

The following image is in inches here is the conversion into cms.

Conversion [all rounded up]

2 inches    = 5cm 
2.5 inches = 6.5cm
6 inches    = 15cm
8.5 inches = 21.6cm
11 inches  = 28cm

Here is the stimulus material (for the Insurance Underwriter), an article from : 

 The Conversation 7 September 2023

Use the "Note Taking Area" as your own notes from the stimulus material.

2. For the next section, "Cue Column, this left area serves to compliment the general area - Note Taking Area. Writing notes in the margins helps us understand and relate each part of our notes.

You will re-read the stimulus article with a partner and fill in the Cue Column together. Leave the summaries section. The Cue Column contains questions you want answered and reducing both your notes to concise jottings as clues for Reciting, Reviewing, and Reflecting.

  
3. Once the whole class has finished, together go over the notes and decide on the main points for each section.

Determine the best summary that focuses on the objectives.

5. The last section labelled ‘Summaries’ should be left blank during the reading and the best summary within the Cue Column.

It is intended for use when you are reviewing individually your notes.

Finally, independently you are to complete a third section.  You should try to develop a short summary of key points in this section for greater reflection of the class notes.

Summaries: Sum up this page of your notes in a sentence or two.

6. Try using this method as much as possible throughout the semester in each of your subjects as a way of getting ready for exams.

You can use this method mainly for class notes with your notes written during class; then writing up questions you need answering, and, finally a succinct summary.  

English Reading Example

Use the Cornell note-taking method to answer questions and write in details for main ideas.
If students are unfamiliar with the Cornell note-taking method, it is important to model this with them. Give students the important components needed to summarize a short story. It would be good to learn these components: plot, characters, setting, theme, etc. before hand so students can easily follow along. The example of the model lesson is shown below, titled "short story elements".

Once students are familiar with the needed elements, read a short story and fill in Cornell notes together.

Finally, students can do this with short stories independently. Use it for assessments, assignments, or simply to prepare for a quiz.

More resources

Note-taking by hand: A powerful tool to support memory
The Conversation 31 August 2020

Read: How Should You Take Notes?: Note-Taking Strategies (cornell.edu)

This is a module going through note taking and the Cornell University note-taking method

YouTube: Cornell Notes Method of Taking Notes
https://youtu.be/lsR-10piMp4

YouTube: How To Take Cornell Notes Properly (Video)
https://youtu.be/ErSjc1PEGKE

YouTube: Improving Cornell Notes With Sketchnoting Techniques
https://youtu.be/pZgMpjjgCRA

YouTube: How to take Cornell notes
https://youtu.be/WtW9IyE04OQ

YouTube: Cornell Notes Instruction by Middle School Students
https://youtu.be/CIwnaY_9woA

Examples within On the Job website

#TC means that The Conversation is used as stimulus material.

Actuary	What is Probability? #TC Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking
Acupunctist	Knowledge of Acupuncture and Medical History: Cornell Note-taking Method #TC Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking followed by the creation of a Prezi
Bank Officer	What is Money Laundering? How does it effect Australian banks?: Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking & Analysis
Climate Change Analyst	Policies and Responsibilities #TC Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking followed by the creation of a Poster or Infographic
Dietitian	Not all calories are equal #TC Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking followed by a week of research
Drug & Alcohol Counsellor	Vaping: how safe is it? The Chemistry #TC Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking followed by class discussion
Economist	Superstar Productivity and Pay: Evidence from the Australian Football League Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking followed by class discussion
Endocrinologist	Sugar - why we need to cut back! #TC Primary Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking followed by an investigation
Fisher	Yellowfin Tuna - A Problem? Primary Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking followed by the creation of a BTN video on the topic
Infectious Diseases Specialist	The Chickenpox Virus! #TC Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking followed by a Survey and Presentation
Insurance Consultant	Banks, Insurance and Climate Change #TC Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking followed by Brainstorming & the creation of a digital storybook
Insurance Underwriter	Genetic Testing & Insurance #TC Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Note-taking Method & Debate
Intelligence Analyst	Today's Espionage in Australia: Analyse #TC Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking
International Aid Worker	International Aid Workers - the effects of Climate Change on their work? #TC Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Note-taking Method & Public Service Announcement
Locksmith	How do keys open locks? A presentation! Cornell Note-taking Method & Mind-Mapping Primary Middle  Lesson Strategy:Cornell Note-taking Method & Mind-Mapping
Medical Laboratory Technician	Seven things you might not know about blood #TC Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking
Pathologist	Money, COVID tests and Pathology Companies: The Ethics! A Community of Inquiry and Cornell Method of Note-Taking #TC Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Community of Inquiry; Cornell Method of Note-Taking
LOTJ - Anatomical Pathologist	NanoMslide - An Australian Invention: How will you promote it? #TC Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking; Prezi
LOTJ - Quantum Physicist Professor Michelle Simmons	An explanation of Quantum Physics and the involvement of Michelle Simmons! #TC Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking;
Records Manager	How safe are your data when you book a COVID vaccine? #TC Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-taking followed by a Philosophical discussion.
Surgeon	From floating guts to 'sticky' blood - here's how to do surgery in space #TC The PMI strategy is pitted against the Cornell Method of Note-Taking. Middle  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Plus, Minus, & Interesting; Cornell Method of Note-Taking
Voice Over Artist	Why would Michael Caine sell his voice to AI? #TC  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-Taking
Weight Loss Consultant	Cold Showers - really? Let's see! #TC  Secondary Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-Taking
Wool Classer	What is Wool Classing? Cornell Notes Method Practice Middle Lesson Strategy: Cornell Method of Note-Taking

Materials sourced from
Comprehension Hart
Good Notes
Go Conqr
University of Maine