There is a lot of debate about what is the most effective notetaking method. The process of handwriting notes may enhance memory, because it forces the student to summarize information and triggers embodied cognition, the process of learning by using one's body (Mueller & Oppenheimer, 2014). However, other research shows that typed notes may be superior, because they allow students to take down more information (Flannigan & Titsworth, 2020). Past research has rarely investigated touchscreen devices like tablets, which may combine the benefits of handwriting and digital notes. To address this gap, we surveyed UWEC students across all disciplines to investigate how notetaking preferences relate to academic achievement. We expect to find that students using touchscreen devices will have the highest academic performance. Additionally, we expect that students who have a major that requires them to spend a lot of time on a computer will prefer taking notes on a laptop. However, we expect that students overall will prefer paper and pencil notetaking.
