One effective note-taking method is The Cornell System, which was designed by Walter Pauk from Cornell University. This concept breaks dot paper into three sections: the cue column, the notetaking area and the summary area. The image below outlines where each zone is located on the dot paper.  The only zone used during class time is the note-taking area intended for taking notes during instruction.

After class students review their notes and identify key questions that the notes answer. …

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Mapping is a way to condense material visually to show relationships between concepts. A map is a diagram of the major points and significant sub-points that support a topic. In the example below, we highlight different uses for pencasts.

The purpose of mapping as an organizational strategy is to improve memory by encoding information in a highly visual way. By mapping with pencasts, you also preserve the out-loud narrative of your thoughts with the map for later access. …

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Use the video above or step by step directions below to learn how to add a watermark image to a Pencast PDF so that your worksheets, study guides, or other content is visible in your pencasts.

Download a PDF of the following directions or keep reading this post to learn how. …

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Join us for the following webinars to learn how to use the Livescribe smartpen and software. Be sure to check out our latest development – the Training Marathon! It’s a full day programmed with interactive and engaging training webinars on five different topics. Once a month we will host the training marathon for participants who would like to join for any or all of the webinars on the smartpen, desktop software, pencasting, and note taking techniques. …

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COLLIER COUNTY, FL - A smartpen is making a big difference in Collier County classrooms. It’s quickly taking the place of chalkboards and notebooks.

“A lot of times students have trouble taking notes, writing things down and listening, doing two things at once,” said Tom Keer, Math Specialist at Corkscrew Middle School.

The Livescribe pen can do everything at once, so students don’t have to stress.

“Sometimes she would talk a little too fast and I would be still writing something while she would be explaining something else,” said student Janine Cortesi of Corkscrew Middle School.

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