A Comparative Analysis of Note-Taking Methods and Their Impact on the Academic Performance of Electrical Engineering Students in Higher Technical Education

تحليل مقارن لأساليب تدوين الملاحظات وأثرها على الأداء الأكاديمي لطلبة الهندسة الكهربائية بالتعليم العالي التقني

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of various note-taking methods on the academic achievement of students in the Department of Electrical Engineering at the College of Technical Sciences – Derna and the College of Engineering Technologies – Quba. The note-taking methods examined include: traditional paper-based note-taking, digital note-taking using electronic devices, and real-time note-taking during lectures without subsequent review. The research adopts a quantitative comparative approach by distributing questionnaires to a sample of students from both colleges, alongside an analysis of their academic performance in relation to the note-taking method employed. Additionally, semi-structured interviews were conducted with several faculty members to gain insights into the pedagogical implications of these methods. Findings reveal statistically significant differences in academic achievement based on the note-taking strategy used. Students who utilized traditional paper-based note-taking demonstrated superior long-term comprehension and retention. In contrast, digital note-taking proved effective in organizing information and facilitating quick access. Note-taking during lectures without later review showed the least positive impact on academic performance. The study recommends raising students’ awareness about the importance of selecting the most appropriate note-taking method according to the nature of the subject matter. It also encourages the adoption of a blended approach to enhance understanding and memory retention, while considering individual differences in learning styles.