Students can learn how to take visual notes with just a bit of instruction and practice. Once they know how to do it they should be encouraged to take visual notes in all of their classes as well as activities outside of school. Use visual note taking as a warm up or fill-in at the end of class.
The first step is to encourage students to carry a sketchbook. A small hardbound sketchbook is standard and will last them most of the school year. Fine line markers and pencils are good tools to use. Colored markers or even crayons can be used to add color. Have students practice doing hand-drawn letters in a variety of styles. This is a skill they will find useful all of their lives.
See how many types of bullets, connectors and frames they can find or imagine. They should try to select appropriate ones to go with the content. Bullets usually refer to black circles (like bullet holes) but can be open squares, stars, hearts or anything that works at a small scale. Comic books use a lot of different frames (thought balloons, jagged "crash" frames, speech balloons, rectangles, squares, ovals, etc.)
See how many types of bullets, connectors and frames they can find or imagine. They should try to select appropriate ones to go with the content. Bullets usually refer to black circles (like bullet holes) but can be open squares, stars, hearts or anything that works at a small scale. Comic books use a lot of different frames (thought balloons, jagged "crash" frames, speech balloons, rectangles, squares, ovals, etc.)
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(via Jamie Saunders in VizThink)