As a student or professional participating in online meetings and classes, it can be difficult to stay on top of all the information being presented. It is imperative to take precise and comprehensive notes in order to retain the information and refer to it later. In this article, I will outline the steps for automatically taking notes in Zoom, streamlining the process and allowing you to concentrate on the discussion and actively engage.
Understanding the Importance of Note Taking
Note taking plays a vital role in the learning process. It helps us capture key points, summarize discussions, and reinforce our understanding of the topic. By taking effective notes during Zoom meetings, we can ensure that we have a reliable reference to review later.
Exploring Built-in Note Taking Features in Zoom
Zoom provides a built-in feature called “Meeting Notes” that allows you to take notes directly within the meeting window. To access this feature, follow these steps:
1. Launch the Zoom application and join a meeting.
2. Once the meeting has started, click on the “More” button at the bottom of the meeting window.
3. Select “Meeting Notes” from the menu that appears.
4. A new window will open, providing you with a text editor to write your notes in real-time.
5. When you’re finished, click on “Save” to save your notes, or “Save As” to save them to a specific location on your computer.
Using External Applications for Automated Note Taking
While Zoom’s built-in note taking feature is useful, it may not provide the level of automation and customization that some users require. Luckily, there are external applications that can integrate with Zoom and automatically take notes for you. Here are a few popular options:
1. Otter.ai
Otter.ai is a popular transcription and note-taking application that integrates seamlessly with Zoom. It uses artificial intelligence to transcribe your Zoom meetings in real-time and provides a searchable and shareable transcript. To use Otter.ai with Zoom, follow these steps:
1. Sign up for an Otter.ai account and install the Otter.ai app on your device.
2. Start a Zoom meeting as usual.
3. In the Otter.ai app, click on the “Connect Zoom” button and follow the prompts to connect your Zoom account.
4. Once connected, Otter.ai will automatically join your Zoom meetings and start transcribing the audio.
5. After the meeting, you can access the transcript on the Otter.ai website or mobile app.
2. Evernote
Evernote is a popular note-taking application that allows you to create and organize notes across different devices. It also offers integration with Zoom, allowing you to sync your notes with specific Zoom meetings. To use Evernote with Zoom, follow these steps:
1. Sign up for an Evernote account and install the Evernote app on your device.
2. Start a Zoom meeting as usual.
3. In the Evernote app, create a new note for your Zoom meeting.
4. During the meeting, take notes within the Evernote app, adding timestamps and any additional details.
5. After the meeting, you can access your notes from any device where Evernote is installed.
Conclusion
Automatically taking notes in Zoom can greatly enhance your productivity and ensure that you have a comprehensive record of important discussions and information. Whether you use Zoom’s built-in note taking feature or prefer to integrate external applications like Otter.ai or Evernote, the key is to find a method that suits your needs and helps you stay organized. Experiment with different tools and techniques to discover what works best for you. Happy note taking!