Effective note-taking is a critical skill for students. One innovative approach that can enhance understanding and retention of information is the Quadrant Method.
This method involves grouping or chunking information into four logical “blocks”. Research shows that the brain better retains information that is organised and chunked. By dividing notes into quadrants, you create smaller, manageable pieces of information, which can improve recall and understanding.
In this article, we’ll explore how to implement the Quadrant Method and why structuring information into fours can significantly improve memory retention.
Understanding the Quadrant Method
The Quadrant Method divides your note page into four sections, often arranged in a simple grid. There are many different ways to approach this method, for example allocating a specific function for each quadrant. The actual method used doesn’t make a huge difference, just make sure that all the important facts are recorded. Using different colours and diagrams where applicable, will also help with retention of information. For this example, the topic “Visible Light” is used to illustrate how to set it up:
- Divide the Page: Use a blank sheet of paper or a digital note-taking app. Draw a large “plus” sign to create four quadrants. The major topic for this page is written in the middle, for example “Spectrum of Visible Light”.
- Divide each Quadrant again: Divide each quadrant into four further quadrants. You will now have 16 quadrants on your page.
- Label Each Quadrant: Give a sub-heading for each of the four major quadrants, for example “Wave length”, “Frequency”, “Refraction” and “Rainbows”
- Information blocks: For each sub-heading, complete the four quadrants by summarising the information about the topic, e.g. one block can be a definition of wavelengths, and the other blocks filled with relevant information about wavelengths.
- Add additional blocks if necessary: If one of the sub-headings has more complex information, that block can again be divided into four quadrants.
The Benefits of Blocking Information into Fours
1. Enhanced Organisation
The Quadrant Method provides a clear structure, helping to prevent information overload. Each section serves a distinct purpose, making it easier to locate specific information later.
2. Improved Memory Retention
Research shows that the brain better retains information that is organised and chunked. By dividing notes into quadrants, you create smaller, manageable pieces of information, which can improve recall and understanding.
3. Encouragement of Active Engagement
This method promotes active participation in the learning process. As you create questions and seek connections, you become more engaged with the material, facilitating deeper learning.
4. Facilitation of Review
When it comes time to review your notes, the Quadrant Method allows for quick scanning. You can easily revisit key concepts, definitions, and examples, which streamlines the revision process.
Please watch the following video with an example of a summary made using the Quadrant Method:
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