Saving information (often associated with note-taking) can be carried out in different contexts:

• Processing information provided by the teacher or from the result of a research;
• Note-taking during lectures;
• Completing an assignment that requires listening to recordings;
• An activity involving observation;
• Following-up on a file or data as part of a professional activity.

The digital medium used can have different forms or names: file, register, book, folder, journal, data bank, ticket, etc.

In an academic environment as well as in other professions, this task is often carried out on paper (note-taking in class, handwritten notes onto a folder, etc.). But a digital support provides several advantages and the trend in this domain suggests that we adapt our practices (digital files, data entry applications, the use of students’ mobile devices in class, etc.).

It should also be noted how interesting collaborative note taking is when doing teamwork.

Teachers may require from students a sample of the retained information.

Students are able to explain the logic behind their methodology for retaining information.

Elements of information retained by students are relevant and well classified. This information demonstrates that they (the students) have a good understanding of the components of the information that was processed according to the objectives of the assignment carried out.

The precision, clarity and accuracy of the recorded information are obvious essential criteria.

This task can be completed using:

• a specialized note-taking tool (i.e. Evernote or OneNote);
• word processing software, either as free text or tables (i.e. Word, Google Docs, Pages or Writer);
• a mediagraphy management tool (i.e. Zotero or EndNote) which allows taking notes either from lectures or associated with specific documents;
• a spreadsheet (Excel, Google Sheets, Numbers or Calc);
• a general data base (such as Access or Base) or one specific to a particular domain;
• posts in a blog (WordPress or Blogger);
• an audio recording tool (vocal digital recording device or a software such as Audacity).

When working in teams, several office tools offered by Google and Microsoft as well as other tools offered online can be useful when taking notes collaboratively because of the sharing possibilities they offer.

Here are some examples of practical applications of this task:

• After having done research, jotting down ideas and observations by consulting annotated documents;
• In Nursing, save data, facts and observations related to the evolution of interventions and state of health of a patient in a patient record file;
• Taking notes while viewing video clips during an academic activity such as in a “flipped classroom”;
• In an English class, create an audio summary of class notes;
• In an occupational analysis class, create a technical notebook that can be use in future stages or apprenticeships.