The Cornell Method is a learning method developed by Walter Pauk, a well-known educational psychologist. This method is designed to help learners learn more effectively and retain what they have learned better.
The Cornell method is based on a system where, while learning, one divides a page into three sections: the main section, the summary section and the key words. The main section is where you write down notes on the content you want to learn. In the summary, you summarise the most important points you wrote down in the main section. In the keywords, you write down important terms or concepts that help you understand the topic.
The aim of the Cornell Method is to organise the information and help you concentrate by actively listening while you take notes. The method is also designed to help you understand and remember what you have learned by regularly reviewing your notes and focusing on the essentials using the key words and summary.
The Cornell method forces students to look more closely at the content and process it more deeply. Content is thus better stored and more easily remembered. Since the most important aspects are already summarised during or shortly after the lesson, it is easier to review the topic even after a longer period of time. The important points are less likely to be forgotten. In addition, the memorised keywords and questions make exam preparation much easier. The Cornell method is therefore not only a strategy for good note-taking, it also ensures that materials are prepared at the same time from which content can be easily repeated.