I hate to admit it, but this is true. My favorite students have always been the ones who do this.

It’s called the “SLANT” technique:

S - sit up

L - lean forward

A - answer questions

N - nod

T - track the speaker

Could that be because they are active listeners and participate in the class?

I’m a nodder. Consequently I’m also shit at taking notes but engage in the class instead and remember it more from pictures in my mind i.e. a visual learner. I also ask questions. It works for me, at least in subjects I’m interested in - at least up to MSc level. If it’s something I’m not interested in, even notes won’t help! In one ear and out the other.

When teaching/presenting, knowing that people pick things up in different ways, I offer both a visual presentation and a paper version with key points I’m talking about so the note-takers can write on something (even if they were just going to fill up a notebook anyway!