Hi Everyone, I have just completed my first week of study on my very first OU course. After completing the Self Assessment Questions (SAQs) for this week, I have discovered that I am picking up the practical work really well, but for the sections where I just have to read a couple of pages on the computer screen, it's not sinking in. I made handmade notes for the first one I read, and the ones after that I just made notes on the computer (in Microsoft Works Word Processor), with a lot of copying and pasting. Needless to say, it hasn't stuck. I ended up waffling my answers to the SAQ questions, as I couldn't directly answer them, I wasn't really sure what I was talking about! 
So I was wondering, What is the best way to study when reading text? I am reading text from the screen, so I can't highlight or make notes round a page in a book, and I'd rather not print the pages out. I am copying and pasting them into Word Processor documents, so they are saved on my computer, but unfortunately not in my brain. Should I be handwriting notes to these? And what should I be writing? Complete sentences or just random words? Should I be doodling, like Mind Maps maybe? Or should I be re-reading and re-reading the text?
Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated!
Art Girl 
P.S. I am studying T183 Design and the Web Level 1 short course, 10 credits.
I do not think it is right to keep the money because it is dishonest. Nevertheless, I do understand as to whether why some people maybe tempted to keep the money purely because the banks charge high interest rates and there is not a legislation to stop them. Prviatisation encourages competition thus creates a vicious circle, economically speaking, with millions of people feel trapped within and have choice to opt out and leave on the edge of society or to join the circle and become the victims: the banking system, private ownership as in landlords charging high rents, unviversity fees £9.000 a year etc.
I am studying humanities but I have been engaged in reading political and soical issues for many years.
just testing the site.
just testing the site
Hello again Art Girl, I have to say I feel the same way about things on the computer, it just doesn't sink in, and I end up printing it off. Perhaps it is a psychological time limit thing, I am more relaxed off line. I tried taking notes when learning about the library and it didn't work. Bullit points work well for me, as I need images in order for things to stick. The trouble is that everyone learns in different ways and you have to find what suits you best. Have you looked in the Study Companion? It talks about this. Some people swear by highlighters. I prefer to underline. If you are using information online make sure you can find it again! Sorry not to be of more help. Good luck.
Hi
My preferred method is to underline key points in the course book and to make short notes in the margins.
Working from screen though you would not really be able to do this. I think one of the important things is that you need to interact with the text rather than just passively read it. This is why underlining and highlighting can work well for some people.
In your case I would maybe try writing your own notes in the word processor rather than cutting and pasting from the course text. That way you are actively having to read the text and then translate into your own words and write these words, so you are interacting with the text and the brain is being engaged rather than the more mechanical process of simply cutting and pasting.
As mentioned earlier though, different people learn in different ways so try experimenting until you find what works for you.
You could also check with your national/regional office as to whether they are going to be running any relevant study skills sessions that you may be able to benefit from.
The best tip I can give you is to sleep. Yet two ways you might not expect them. Read the most difficult material just before bed the night before the exam. This will allow you to remember the material later. It is also important not to wake up earlier than usual to learn for the exam, because it can interfere at the critical stage of the sleep that aids the memory. Another thing that can benefit you is to charge yourself in a car charging station on the morning and by that you will get the test fresh and full of power ;)
If you're using word, you can highlight using the little 'ab' icon with a little pen next to it. I personally find highlighting useful, especially when you're revisiting the information. You can actually add comments to word documents too if you are using word 2010, by going to the 'Review' tab and 'New Comment'. The comments will appear in the margin and you could perhaps write thoughts or observations as you go so you are engaging with the material. I would also make notes as I go, for example after reading a section or a couple of pages I will make a summary of what I just read. This process helps you take it all in section by section and helps you make sure you have been actively reading and not just skimming over the words, which is SO easy to do!!! But yes, we all learn differently so it's worth trying different ways until it seems to stick.