Summarizing+and+Note+Taking

The instructional strategy //summarizing and note taking// focuses on enhancing the students' ability to synthesize information and distill it into a concise new form.
 * Summarizing/Note Taking**

Rule-based summarizing is a strategy which provides students a structure to help guide them as they attempt what might otherwise be a confusing task. -Use the Track Changes feature in Microsoft Word to apply summarizing rules. -Use the AutoSummarize tool in Word for summarizing. This tool will take a selection of text and provide a summary.
 * Word Processing Application**
 * //Summarizing//

A variety of formats should be used for note taking. These formats include outlining, webbing, and pictographs.
 * Note Taking

Summary frames are used to highlight critical elements of specific kinds of information and text by asking a series of questions. There are six types of summary frames presented in this book. They are narrative**,** topic-restriction-illustration (T-R-I)**,** definition**,** argumentation**,** problem/solution**,** and conversation. A __definition frame__ asks the following questions: What is the term to define? What is the general category to which the term belongs? What are the characteristics that set this apart from other elements in the set? What are some types of the item being defined? A __T-R-I frame__ presents students with these three guiding questions: What is the general topic or statement? What information does the author give that narrows or restricts the topic or statement? What examples does the author give to illustrate the topic or restriction? A __problem/solution__ frame directs students to look at an issue through these five guiding questions: What is the problem? What is a possible solution? What is another possible solution? What is another possible solution? Which solution has the best chance of succeeding? A __conversation frame__ goes through these questions: How did the characters greet each other? What questions or topic was insinuated, revealed, or referred to? How did their discussion progress? What was the conclusion? An argumentative frame is used for themes. The four elements that make up an argumentation frame is evidence, claim, support, and a qualifier for their theme. These are the questions for each element. 1. Evidence: What information does the author present that leads to a claim? (pg. 133) 2. Claim: What does the author assert is true? What basic statement or claim is the focus of the information? (p. 133) 3. Support: What example or explanations support the claim? (p. 133) 4. Qualifier: What restrictions on the claim or evidence counter to the claim is presented? (p. 133)
 * Organizing and Brainstorming Software**
 * Summarizing


 * Inspiration is indicated as being the great tool to enhance each of these frames.**

Inspiration has many templates which are wonderful guides to the note taking process.
 * Note Taking**

Multimedia can be used to enhance summaries and notes by using a wiki to collaborate on projects. Another way to use multimedia is PowerPoint -based combination notes.
 * Multimedia**


 * Web Resources**
 * The web sites listed facilitate summarizing and taking notes collaboratively.
 * [|NoteStar]**
 * [|Google Docs and Spreadsheets]**
 * [|ThinkFree]**
 * [|ThinkTank]**
 * [|Cornell Notes]**

[|Peanut Butter Wiki (PBWiki)] Reciprocal teaching is implemented effectively through blogs. There are four components to this structured form of peer teaching: summarizing, questioning, clarifying, and predicting.
 * Communication Software**
 * Wikis:
 * Blogs: