There’s many studies out there on the difference between writing notes and typing notes. I’ve done both, primarily handwriting during my K-16 years, and typing in my graduate studies years. Anecdotally, I can say that I comprehended and remembered more when I wrote my notes by hand. My handwriting will never be able to capture notes verbatim as my typing can but I find that I remember more when I write.
Lifehacker wrote a great piece that includes links to several studies on why you learn more effectively by writing than typing.
As a personal experiment, I’ve been migrating toward using ink and graphite as an alternative to these nice keys on my Mac Book Air. Conceptually, it makes sense. Writing a “p” or a “d” is significantly different than pressing those keys. The peak of my comprehension and memory from notes came from my chemistry class in undergrad. My notes were full of doodles and imagery. They weren’t verbatim recordings of the professor’s verbal speak. They were synthesized thoughts that summarized the concepts and ideas of the lecture.
To commit to this, I signed The Doodle Revolution manifesto by Sunni Brown.
I definitely learn better by writing. In fact, I find that typing is good for conscious streaming material, or writing faster than my brain can think, but writing is a nice way to slow the thoughts down and pick apart what is important. There are three things that could be helpful if you do this. 1) A moleskine journal is great for doodling and looking back at old doodles. They have lots, graph paper or blank or lined.
2) A very nice pen. To me, a rollerball is fine, doesn't have to be Mont Blanc.
I got a brush pen that's almost like a calligraphy pen. The stroke is bigger than a ballpoint. It's very peaceful and since the strokes is larger, I have to focus on the big picture rather than get down to the details. It's great for sketching out ideas.
Have you considered mind mapping, which is very congruent with doodling and visual learning?
Recently I have been digesting a lot of the information that I have stored in Evernote and converting it into mind maps. While going through this process I have processed the information in my brain as well. I made a number of mind maps post on my website if you are interested.
Thank you Ivan, I'll check it out. I guess I'm already doing some informal mind mapping without any formal training yet.