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Teachable Moments: Typed or handwritten notes

TRANSCRIPT:

For South Carolina Public Radio, I'm Dr. Rénard Harris from the College of Charleston. This is Teachable Moments, a minute of education for students and parents.

There’s an ongoing debate about the best way for students to take notes in class. Some experts argue for typing on a laptop, while others say handwriting is better. Research shows that when students take handwritten notes, they’re actively trying to understand the information, whereas students are more distracted when using a laptop for note-taking.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both options. For example, a laptop can be more effective for students with learning disabilities who benefit from features like auto-correct. Handwriting can be hard for students unable to write fast enough to capture the information. Taking good notes is essential, and the important thing is to figure out which method works best for the individual.

For the College of Charleston, I’m Dr. Rénard Harris.

Rénard Harris is an Associate Professor of Management in the School of Business at the College of Charleston (2022-present). He teaches courses in Leadership and courses in Managing Diversity. His leadership course focuses on the dynamics of effective leadership, positive influence, and clear vision. His Managing Diversity course focuses on exploring culture, experiences, and identity as asset and resource of those less heard and less seen.