Yeah, my teacher covered it, except I want to know about it in a bit more detail
I'll have an attempt at it after some research and help:
THE USAGE OF "NODE" AND "KARA"
I believe "node" to be a bit more formal than "kara". And "node" has more of the implication that the consequence naturally follows the reason, and that the acton following the reason shouldn't usually be too commanding.
eg. shizukananode, yoku benkyou dekimasu.
comment: it naturally would be easy to study if it is quiet
eg. atsui desukara, umi ni ikimashou.
it's hot so let's go to the beach - this lacks that more conditional nature of the first example... and it's more commanding. So probably better to use kara in this instance
But sometimes it doesn't make THAT much of a difference. See below:
(1) nanimo shinakkata kara, totemo kanashii kimochi ga suru.
(2) nanimo shinakatta node, kanashii kimochi ga suru.
These two sentences mean the same thing, the second one sounds slightly more formal.
THE USAGE OF "IF"
TO
the consequence after "to" is often a natural consequence of the preceding event.
eg. kore wo taberu to futorimasu.
if you eat this, you'll put on weight.
TARA
This is used more in conversations and the condition should be satisfied before the following part can occur. And it has the meaning of "when" at times as well.
Eg. sotsugyoushitara bengoshi ni narimasu.
once i have graduated i'll be a solicitor.
"...BA"
This is the TRULY conditional form in the sense that it can only be expressed in English by the word "if" and the condition must be absolutely fulfilled before the following part can occur.
Eg. kuruma ga areba benri deshou.
It would be handy if we had a car.
NARA
Nara is used if you have a hypothetical condition:
eg. hontou ni guai ga warui nara, gakkou wo yasundemoii.
If you really are sick, you can stay home from school.
I believe the differences are quite subtle. There are a few expressions in Chinese that are translated into English as "if", and I can't tell the subtle differences (people who know Chinese would probably realise...) so this is probably the same situation. I'm not sure if the above helps, but I guess the more we use Japanese, the better understanding we'll gain of its grammatical structures.
USAGE of NONI
"Noni" has the implication that even though..., yet... . If it is used at the end of the sentence, it expresses feelings of regret and pity. If it's used in the middle of sentences, it has the implication of not satisfied, not pleased... these sort of feelings. It is used commonly in conversations apparently.
eg. shittieru noni, shiranai to iimashita.
Even though he knows, yet he said he doesn't know.
I remember when I was learning English in China in Yr 3, we learnt the expression "Have you a pen?" and when I came to Australia, it became clear that no one says that in reality, although it's grammatically correct. We all say "Do you have a pen?" or "Have you got a pen?" So really, subtle differences in grammar is hard to grasp unless you use the language often and you spent some time in the environment in which the language is commonly spoken.
Takuya san, if you are still around, feel free to comment on any mistakes I have made in my attempt to explain.