climateadaptation:

Abstract

Taking notes on laptops rather than in
longhand is increasingly common. Many researchers have suggested that
laptop note taking is less effective than longhand note taking for
learning. Prior studies have primarily focused on students’ capacity for
multitasking and distraction when using laptops. The present
research suggests that even when laptops are used solely to take notes,
they may still be impairing learning because their use
results in shallower processing. In three studies, we found that
students who took notes on laptops performed worse on
conceptual questions than students who took notes longhand. We show that
whereas
taking more notes can be beneficial, laptop note
takers’ tendency to transcribe lectures verbatim rather than processing
information and reframing it in their own words is detrimental
to learning.

Taking notes with a pen is more effective at learning than using a laptop. So says this clever study. I’d love to read this. Anyone have access?

UPDATE: Thanks everyone for sending! You all inspire me!!

I have long wondered about this. I also wonder if this study suggests another that looks at long hand writing and drawing. Also at long hand on paper vs long hand with stylus on electronic tablet. And, finally, if typing text-based code into algorithms is appreciably different than drag-and-drop visual programming environments.