Also, touchtyping is the closest thing to a Direct Neural Interface you can get today. If you don’t know how to do it, learn!
For an interface to a computer, I completely agree; mice are for art and play, keyboards are for getting other work done.
However, while I have excellent touchtyping speed and a small portable netbook, I still take class notes, and often brainstorm, on paper. Why? It’s the easiest possible way to work in two dimensions. I can make outlines, add margin notes, connect related ideas with arrows, and draw diagrams, without being confined to a grid or having to switch modes between location selection and input. I don’t know of and have difficulty imagining the computer program that would let me do this anywhere near as fluidly, although if someone knows one I’d love to hear about it.
However, while I have excellent touchtyping speed and a small portable netbook, I still take class notes, and often brainstorm, on paper. Why?
Another benefit is that you will remember your notes better if you write them on paper. The kinaesthetic involvement aids memory formation. I don’t do it myself. But then, I don’t usually take notes either.
you will remember your notes better if you write them on paper
Good point. I knew that, but forgot about it (probably since that’s not my reason). They’ll probably also be easier to browse and review if I care to.
I didn’t used to take notes either. The main conscious reason I do it now is that I know I’m inclined to do something with my hands while in class—doodling, writing something unrelated, even crocheting or embroidery sometimes. All of these activities take some of my attention away from the instructor. If I take notes, I satisfy the urge to keep my hands busy, and also pay more attention instead of less.
(That, and I’m getting paid to take notes in one of my classes, and I would’ve felt silly if that was the only one I took notes for.)
A downside, it turns out, is that when a classmate asks to borrow my notes and our schedules conflict enough to not do a handoff in person, I can’t just copy them into an email. I just scanned half a dozen pages instead. Oh well. :)
For an interface to a computer, I completely agree; mice are for art and play, keyboards are for getting other work done.
However, while I have excellent touchtyping speed and a small portable netbook, I still take class notes, and often brainstorm, on paper. Why? It’s the easiest possible way to work in two dimensions. I can make outlines, add margin notes, connect related ideas with arrows, and draw diagrams, without being confined to a grid or having to switch modes between location selection and input. I don’t know of and have difficulty imagining the computer program that would let me do this anywhere near as fluidly, although if someone knows one I’d love to hear about it.
Another benefit is that you will remember your notes better if you write them on paper. The kinaesthetic involvement aids memory formation. I don’t do it myself. But then, I don’t usually take notes either.
Good point. I knew that, but forgot about it (probably since that’s not my reason). They’ll probably also be easier to browse and review if I care to.
I didn’t used to take notes either. The main conscious reason I do it now is that I know I’m inclined to do something with my hands while in class—doodling, writing something unrelated, even crocheting or embroidery sometimes. All of these activities take some of my attention away from the instructor. If I take notes, I satisfy the urge to keep my hands busy, and also pay more attention instead of less.
(That, and I’m getting paid to take notes in one of my classes, and I would’ve felt silly if that was the only one I took notes for.)
A downside, it turns out, is that when a classmate asks to borrow my notes and our schedules conflict enough to not do a handoff in person, I can’t just copy them into an email. I just scanned half a dozen pages instead. Oh well. :)