The Flow Method of Notetaking
What is the Flow Method
The Flow Method is designed to help students take more effective and organized notes through prioritising active listening, quick thinking, and capturing key concepts during lectures or while studying.
This method enables a more immersive learning experience that enhances comprehension, retention, and the overall quality of notes and is particularly popular among students and educators who favour a more creative and dynamic approach to notetaking.
The Flow Method focuses on creating a visual representation of information in a structured and interconnected way, making it easier for the notetaker to understand and recall the material.
Unlike traditional notetaking methods that involve pauses to organise, format, or categorise content, the Flow Method encourages notetakers to engage with the material as it's presented, allowing ideas to flow naturally onto the page.
The Flow Method format
The Flow Method is a dynamic and continuous approach to notetaking that emphasises capturing information in a seamless and uninterrupted format.
This notetaking method doesn't have a strict format. You can customize your notes to suit your learning style and the content you are noting.
However, there are some common elements and principles that are often associated with the Flow Method.
Key features of the Flow Method include:
Arrows and Connectors: The method uses arrows and connectors to show relationships between different pieces of information. This helps to illustrate connections and dependencies, making it easier to understand the flow of concepts.
Symbols and Icons: The use of symbols and icons is encouraged to represent key ideas, actions, or concepts. This visual element helps in quickly identifying important points and creating a more engaging and memorable set of notes.
Whitespace: Emphasis is placed on the strategic use of whitespace to create a clean and uncluttered visual layout. This aids in reducing cognitive load and enhancing overall readability.
Hierarchy and Structure: The Flow Method promotes the use of hierarchy and structure to organize information. Important ideas or main concepts are often placed at the top, with supporting details branching out beneath them.
Colors: The method encourages the use of colors to differentiate between different categories or types of information. This can enhance visual appeal and make it easier to distinguish between various elements in the notes.
Flowcharts and Diagrams: Visual representations, such as flowcharts and diagrams, are integral to the Flow Method. These graphical elements help in presenting information in a more intuitive and interconnected way.
How to make notes using the Flow Method
The flow method is a creative notetaking method but with fewer rules and structure and doesn't require a great deal of planning or organization.
Using the Flow Method can be summarised in three steps:
Step 1 - Capture:
Simplify Information: Start writing down pieces of information in a simple and straightforward manner. Avoid lengthy sentences; focus on key points, main ideas, and significant examples.
Use Space Strategically: Spread out your notes to allow room for expansion and connections as you continue. Create a central point on the page for your main idea or topic.
Prioritize Key Concepts: Emphasize capturing main ideas and key points. Let your notes reflect the hierarchy of information presented, helping you identify core concepts later.
Use Abbreviations: To maintain the flow and capture information quickly, use abbreviations for commonly used terms or phrases.
Step 2 - Connect:
Identify Connections: As you capture information, you'll begin to notice relationships, use arrows to connect related information.
Use Arrows and Lines: Connect relevant topics on-the-go using arrows, lines, or symbols. This helps represent relationships and enhance the coherence of your notes.
No One Right Way: There is no strict rule on how to connect information; use an approach that is most logical and intuitive for you. Focus on understanding how different ideas relate to one another.
Visual Cues: Use visual cues to show connections between different concepts. This not only aids in understanding during notetaking but also facilitates easier review later.
Step 3 - Create:
Review and Refine: After the lecture or reading, take time to review and refine your notes. Add clarifications, expand on specific points, and ensure that the captured ideas remain coherent.
Highlight Keywords: Draw shapes around keywords to make them stand out visually. This technique helps in quickly identifying and recalling important points.
Leave Space for Questions: Ensure there is enough space between pieces of information to add questions or comments you may have later.
Visualize with Diagrams: Create diagrams or shapes around crucial points to add context and facilitate visual understanding.
Further organize your notes (optional): consider creating a summary or conceptual map based on your Flow Method notes. This provides a structured overview of the material, reinforcing your understanding and making future reviews more efficient.
When to use the Flow Method
The Flow Method is useful in fast paced situations like lectures, discussion groups and seminars as well as in more considered situations which require creating an overview of a subject or a writing plan.
Here are some scenarios where the Flow Method proves to be especially effective:
Lectures: focus on key concepts and create lecture notes quickly ensuring you don't miss key points.
Brainstorming Sessions: seamlessly capture ideas, suggestions, and connections as they emerge, without disrupting the flow of creativity.
Discussions: keep pace with the conversation, capturing different viewpoints, arguments, and counterarguments as they unfold.
Topic Overview: create a visual representation of the connections between topics, sub-topics, ideas and subject themes.
Benefits of using the Flow Method
Incorporating the Flow Method encourages notetakers to become active participants in the learning process, capturing the essence of information without interrupting the natural flow of knowledge.
This leads to notes that are not only comprehensive but also reflective of the original context in which they were presented.
Active Engagement: By noting information in real-time, the Flow Method keeps you fully engaged with the material, fostering a deeper understanding of the content.
Seamless Process: Without interruptions for categorization or restructuring, notetaking becomes a seamless and fluid process mirroring the natural flow of information and thinking.
Enhanced Comprehension: Engaging with content without disruptions encourages the processing and understanding of concepts as they're presented, contributing to better comprehension and knowledge retention.
Flexibility in Application: this method is adaptable to various learning contexts, from traditional lectures to brainstorming sessions fostering flexibility in your notetaking approach.
Drawbacks of using the Flow Method
While the Flow Method of notetaking has its advantages, it may not be suitable for everyone or every situation.
Some potential drawbacks and disadvantages might include:
Lack of Structure: The continuous and free-flowing nature of the Flow Method might result in notes lacking a structured format. For individuals who thrive on organized and hierarchical information, this lack of structure could be a challenge.
Challenging for Certain Subjects: Some subjects or topics may require a more systematic and organized approach to grasp complex relationships and hierarchies.
Potential for Information Overload: In fast-paced environments, attempting to keep up with the continuous flow of information can lead to information overload. This could result in hastily written notes or an inability to process and understand complex concepts.
Incomplete Information: In the effort to maintain the flow, there's a risk of missing important details or not capturing a comprehensive overview of the subject. This could lead to gaps in understanding when revisiting the notes.
Improve your Flow Method notetaking
Improving notetaking using the Flow Method involves refining your technique to enhance comprehension, organization, and ease of review.
Here are some suggestions to help you improve your notes:
Develop a Hierarchical Structure: incorporating a subtle hierarchy in your notes can emphasize key concepts and maintains a loose structure.
Experiment with Symbols and Icons: Integrate symbols and icons into your notes to represent recurring themes, important concepts, or specific types of information. This visual coding can add clarity and make your notes more visually engaging.
Use Colors Strategically: Assign colors to different categories or types of information to aid in quick recognition. This can make your notes more visually organized and memorable.
Use Abbreviations and Shorthand: develop a set of abbreviations or shorthand that you can use consistently, this allows you to capture information more quickly, making your notetaking more efficient.
Leave Space for Reflection: use margins or designated spaces in your notes for reflections, questions, or additional thoughts that may arise during or after the lecture. This helps you engage more deeply with the material.
Review and Refine: Spend time after the lecture or study session to review and refine your notes. Add clarifications, expand on key points, and ensure that the connections between ideas are clear. This step contributes to a more cohesive set of notes.
Experiment with Digital Tools: consider using notetaking apps or software that allows for easy rearrangement of information.
Notetaking is a personal process, and these suggestions can be adapted to suit your individual preferences and the nature of the content you're working with.
Regular practice and reflection will help you refine your Flow Method to better meet your learning needs.
Summary
The goal of the flow method of notetaking is learning. Rather than trying to record every single detail, you are aiming to create a set of notes that are unique to you and your understanding of the information.
The focus of the flow method is on building a picture of the subject you are learning about and the different elements that make up that picture and how they connect.
One of the strengths lies in the possibilities for individualization. Develop your visual cues and symbols, shaping your notes to align with your unique thought processes and recall patterns. This customization proves ideal for capturing spontaneous insights, reflections, and connections that emerge during the learning or brainstorming process.
Adaptable to various learning contexts – from traditional lectures and readings to dynamic discussions and brainstorming sessions – the Flow Method proves its versatility in enhancing comprehension, focus, and retention by eliminating disruptions.
The Flow Methods’ applicability across different subjects and disciplines, make it a valuable tool for learners in diverse areas of study.
The Flow Method is a great option for identifying connections but it might not be right for you in all situations. To find out about other notetaking methods check out 12 Notetaking Methods Essential for Students for some of the most effective options for students.
University Librarian provides a blog, notebooks, and tools for students who want to improve their study skills.
