Implementing a Note-Taking Training Program for Under-Achieving University Students : The Process and Problems Encountered

This article argues the case for teaching note-taking techniques to under-achieving Japanese university students. It outlines the reasons why the author believes note-taking should be taught; the process followed in introducing the initial coordinated program to encourage note-taking at Kyoei University; and the outcomes of those efforts. The survey results and other investigations reveal that there are possibly two factors influencing reluctant note-takers\u27 behaviour. These are firstly, a lack of reinforcement concerning students\u27 note-taking can lead to the practice not becoming habitual in under-achieving students, and secondly, that the absence of a university wide policy on note-taking and the resulting inconsistency has led some students to believe note-taking was an extra and unfair requirement