Sketchnoting

Sketchnoting

Visual notetaking, Graphic recording, Mind mapping, Doodle notes, Concept sketching 

Alternative/linked methods: Pause Procedure

Why?

• Improves comprehension and retention through dual coding. 
• Encourages creative confidence and critical thinking. 
• Supports inclusive learning for diverse cognitive styles. 
• Enhances engagement in virtual and in-person environments. 

How?

• Engage with content and identify key ideas. 
• Translate ideas into visuals using icons, diagrams, and text. 
• Use non-linear layouts to show relationships. 
• Provide icon libraries, templates, and visual vocabularies. 
• Encourage low-stakes practice and peer sharing. 

When?

• During lectures, seminars, or flipped learning sessions. 
• In group work for co-creating visual summaries. 
• As part of formative or summative assessment. 
• For revision and exam preparation. 

Get Started

• Doodle warm-ups to reduce anxiety about drawing. 
• Sketch a summary of a lecture using 3–5 key symbols. 
• Use guided prompts like ‘Draw the process in 4 steps.’ 
• Create visual metaphors for abstract ideas. 

Digital Enhancement

• Use digital tools like OneNote and Miro. 
• Upload photos or scans of paper sketchnotes to Moodle/Teams. 
• Assign sketchnoting as an asynchronous task. 
• Use in breakout rooms for collaborative visual synthesis. 
• Encourage peer feedback and sharing via discussion boards or shared folders. 

Resources

• Bruff, D., 2014. Why use sketchnotes in the classroom? [online] Derek Bruff.
• Dimeo, R. (2016) “Sketchnoting an analog skill in the digital age,” ACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 46(3), pp. 9–16. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1145/3024949.3024951
• Edge Hill University, 2019. Sketchnoting: Active Learning Network Presentation. University of Liverpool Active Learning Network.
• Flipped Learning Network, n.d. Sketchnoting: An Active Learning Strategy. [online]
• Paepcke-Hjeltness, V., Mina, M. and 2021 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE) Lincoln, NE, USA 2021 Oct. 13 – 2021 Oct. 16 (2021) “Sketchnoting, a Visual Way to Improve Creative Confidence and Critical Thinking in the Virtual Environment,” in 2021 IEEE Frontiers in Education Conference (FIE), pp. 1–3.
• Pooja Singh and Jyotika Guleria (2023) “Attitude of Undergraduate students towards Sketchnoting activity in classroom,” Je-LKS: Journal of E-Learning and Knowledge Society, 19(3). Available at: https://doi.org/10.20368/1971-8829/1135858.
• Teacher Toolkit, 2021. Sketchnoting as a pedagogical tool. [online]
• Tidy, H., Burnham, R. and Elkington, S. (2022) “Using sketchnoting as a revision aid with forensic students,” Science & Justice, 62(6), pp. 822–826. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scijus.2022.04.008.
• Edutopia, 2022. How and why to introduce visual note-taking to your students. [online]
• DWP Digital, 2018. Why sketchnoting is a great learning tool. [online]