Every student may have had a experience of notetaking using handwriting during class. Handwriting is the most basic method of studying in a class, and even a few years ago there were not many other options for taking notes. Now, the situation has become very different from the past. Then, note-taking was mostly done by handwriting, but nowadays students use laptops or electronic devices like iPads for note-taking. This is a cultural change in the classroom. The Pharos investigated this alteration in the note-taking culture.

To have a better understanding of this matter, a survey about note-taking culture was conducted. Respondents were first asked, “Which type of note-taking do you use for a class?” and 83.3% answered “handwriting,” while the others answered “electronic devices like iPad.” The reasons for handwriting were it allowed them to write freely and contributed to memorization of the lecture content. The reasons for using electronic devices were portability, unlimited writing and less labor like printing out materials. To the question “What do you think of other methods of taking notes?” 66.7% answered, “Other methods seem better, but I do not want to change my style.” and 25% said, “Other methods seem inconvenient, so I will stay with my style.” Only 8.3% of respondents answered, “I want to change my style if there is the chance.” The Pharos also asked for general opinions about taking notes with electronic devices. Most answered that note- taking with electronic devices would increase more and more. Except for students who tended to use their devices inappropriately, respondents overall gave positive opinions. From the survey result, the Pharos found out that Kyonggi University students keep their analogue style of taking notes at present, but that the classroom atmosphere will alter in a few years. Since they seem optimistic about transition of the culture of taking notes, there will not be much incompatibility or discomfort.

Then, how did the change to writing and studying by using electronic devices such as the iPad become a burgeoning cultural phenomenon? The reason for the switch to the paperless format in the class is primarily because it is “convenient.” People can take notes freely, regardless of form, because this method allows both handwriting and typing on a laptop. Therefore, it is easy to draw graphs, various formulas, shapes, etc., and it has various functions such as attaching related data directly from the Internet. Moreover, it has the advantage of not having to get notetaking or writing supplies every week because it is possible to take notes directly from PDF files without having to bring lecture materials or textbooks. Finally, a tablet is much lighter and easier to carry than a laptop, so it also reduces the weight of the luggage.

Because of the numerous advantages described earlier, many students are increasingly choosing to write using electronic devices such as tablets rather than taking notes by hand. If so, how do the professors who teach the lectures look at this changing culture? The Pharos interviewed Yoon Ok-kyung, a professor of the Department of Corrections and listened to her opinion.

How do you feel about the recent changes in students’ writing method?

I didn’t think it had changed much, but I realized it had changed a lot when I saw some students taking notes with electronic devices during the lectures. It is realistic to see students no longer sticking to traditional handwriting methods.

What do you think about note-taking using electronic devices?

In my personal opinion, writing by hand is more effective with regard to learning, and also there is a lot of scientific research to support this. However, students seem to prefer the convenience of typing or using electronic pens. That’s why I gave up on my ten-year-old request for handwritten assignments. I couldn’t continue to insist on this because I thought it was right to change with the times. Not only the writing style, but also the trend of communicating with each other in short sentences, has also increased the tendency of lengthy logical writing assignments to be poorly written. Maybe this is also one aspect of change.

The change in writing culture to using electronic devices is leading to a change in culture beyond a simple change in methods. On the one hand, some criticize such methods saying they promote economic differences and are not efficient. On the other hand, some say this is just one of the ways individuals can choose based on their convenience and preferences. We need to think about what this change means for the long term. What do you think about this?

Management Editor•CHOI SOYEON•clara3003@naver.com

71st Reporter•PARK SINUI•dean0305@naver.com