Easy Conference Notes for SLPs

I’m a complete nerd and love going to professional development conferences! I love being able to connect with others SLPs, but I also appreciate the opportunity to learn some new strategies/approaches to use in therapy. However, it can be a *little* overwhelming. On top of knowing what to pack and navigating the conference itself, trying to get the most out of your sessions can be a challenge!

How do I take notes? How do I keep everything organized? How do I use what I learned in the conference?

I used to print out all of the slides ahead of time, but that gets a little tricky with small suitcases. That huge pile of papers…! Inevitably, there are a few presenters who don’t have slides or who wait to post them.

I frequently use the Notability app in therapy. As I was getting ready to print out my giant stack of notes for a conference a few years ago, I realized that I could use the app to take notes.

No more piles of papers?

Easy access to notes during (and after!) the conference?

Yes, please! Sign me up!

Here’s what I do to prep for the conference…

1. Save the Slides

I save the slides to Google Drive using their extension.

You could annotate your slides in Google Drive, but I like some of Notability’s features.

2. Import to Notability

Notability syncs with my Google Drive. I click the import button on the top right of the screen. I select my files and create a new note.

That’s all! Two easy steps and you’re ready for your conference!

Bonus Ideas

Organize with Folders: I created a Professional Development folder in Notability, so it’s easy to find my notes during the conference (and after the conference, too!).

Name Your Notes: You can also change the name of the files to include details that will help you navigate the conference (e.g., session time, location, etc.).

Pages Galore: If you run out of space, you can add a blank page to your notes.

Snap Pictures: Notability also allows you to take pictures and add them to your notes.

Sync Away: You can sync your notes to Google Drive for easy access later on!

Rock Your Stylus Pen: I love using a stylus pen to draw on the slides. (Will you be at ASHA Connect 2017? Come find me at booth 602 for a free pen!)

Professional development conferences can be overwhelming in so many ways, but taking notes doesn't have to be! Check out this easy system for SLPs to take (and organize) their conference notes! What's even better is that this method is paperless and EASY! Click through to read my suggestions.

Let us know if you have any favorite conference tips or tricks in the comments below!