Is paper better than technology? D. Keith Robinson over at To-Done has written about how he finds a notebook much better than a laptop computer for taking notes during meetings. His reasons include the distractions that the laptop produces in the form of other applications, browsers, etc. As a Pocket PC enthusiast, I’ll say that I will quietly agree with him to a point. During meetings I use both! I take my notes on a legal pad and tap in my to-do’s and future meetings directly into the Pocket PC.
The paper notepads strengths reside in it’s simplicity. 1. Pen 2. paper 3. write. With a Pocket PC or Palm it’s not so easy. It becomes a real chore to get your text right and sometimes the built in spell checkers can’t even come close to what you are trying to say. So even though the PDA might not contain the same readily available distractions as a laptop, trying to edit text is a HUGE distraction. So for the time being, I’ll keep my pad handy for the notes, the PPC handy for the reminders.
Link: Taking Notes By Hand.
Over the last year or so, when I attend conferences (or meetings, or anything I want to make sure I remember something) I leave my laptop either in it’s bag during sessions, or I don’t bring it at all. This has worked out great, and just how I thought it would. I get much more out of sessions (etc.) when I’m taking notes by hand.
I think the main reason is that when I’ve got my laptop open, I’ve also opened a whole world of distraction. When you’ve only got a pad of paper and a pen or pencil, you can better concentrate on the world around you. I’ve also found that my notebook is a great place to capture ideas. Sometimes I get really great ideas when I’m at a conference. What I’ll do is open my notebook so that I’ve got two pages showing. On the right, I’ll take notes. On the left, I’ll jot down any ideas that come to mind.
So are you a “tech” or “paper” person?
{ 7 comments }
One reason I use paper to capture notes/ideas is to tap into all my learning interests and strengths. The moment I pick up a piece of paper, I engage so many parts/facets/aspects (pick your word) of the learning process:
kinesthetic (as I write)
auditory (as I literally “listen” to myself)
and visual (as I watch ink land on the paper).
Hi Jason and welcome. I read your blog all the time.
I had not considered the NLP aspect of writing on paper as compared to typing or tapping (in the case of the PDA). You can bet the next time I am in a meeting taking notes (on paper) I’ll be thinking about your post, trying to experience consciously what you describe.
I think you need to include in this discussion what type of notetaking takes place. I think people who use notebook computers to take notes tend to try and capture the discussion verbatim. Those who use paper (and I would include handheld computers here) probably use shorthand, abbreviations, or simply capture main points.
You might be right about the person who uses a notebook computer taking things down verbatim – which sort of raises a question. How much can you absorb or remember by doing it this way? I know for me, psychologically, if I am recording something verbatim into word, or a calendar, I am thinking “I can always look this up later if I need it.” And out goes the memory! LOL
I switched to a tablet PC and now have the best of both worlds. Using “ink” lets me work as if I’m on paper. I used One-Note but could have used several other packages as well. Go-Binder looks interesting and I’m more used to that format.
i absolutely love using my laptop (even tho its an acer and almost dead!!!!!) but I always have and always loved paper…. there is something magic about it.
YOu can add in later easily, draw arrows and diagrams quickly and very easily!
And I love decorating!!!
We tried using Notbooks in our monthly board meetings. However, by the time you had 15+ people clicking on keyboards, it was very distracting to say the least.
Interested thread.. Thanks for sharing,
Greg