Students experience barriers when taking notes for a variety of reasons. There are several relatively simple means that are widely used to accommodate notetaking needs, such as the use of recording devices. These are very effective tools and in many cases are preferable to more traditional notetaking support. In cases where the available technology and resources are not effective or desired, peer notetakers, computer-based notetakers, or other options are considered. Please schedule an appointment with an AEC advisor to discuss possible resources.

Notetaking Resources

Sonocent Audio Notetaker

Sonocent Audio Notetaker is a note-taking software and companion mobile app which allows students to access spoken language more effectively in class. With Sonocent, you can capture and sync audio, text, and slides in a single workspace to organize lecture content and create complete, useful resources for your studies.

Check out this video for information on using Sonocent Audio Notetaker with online presentations:

Livescribe™ Smartpen

 

To learn more about using a smartpen, visit the Livescribe site.

Print Livescribe dot paper

Peer Notetaker

If technology does not provide an effective solution, a peer notetaker may be appropriate. A peer notetaker is a student enrolled in the class who volunteers to share their notes.

Important note about remote courses: students are encouraged to review the structure of each course before requesting notetaking accommodations. Many remote classes may be recorded which may remove barriers related to notetaking in some cases.

If you've already established peer notetaking accommodations with an AEC advisor, and believe that you will need this accommodation, follow these steps to request notetaking for your classes.

1. Log in to AEC Connect to request accommodations for each of your classes. Select “Notetaking Services” for each class for which you’d like to receive notes.
2. After you’ve attended each class at least once, check your @uoregon.edu email address for an email from AEC asking you to confirm your notetaking request.
3. AEC will recruit a peer notetaker from the class only if your instructor has indicated that the course design will require it*
4. After a notetaker has been recruited and begins to upload notes, you will receive an email stating that notes are available to download from AEC Connect.
5. To download your notes, log in to AEC Connect and click “Notetaking Services” on the left side of the page under “My Accommodations”. Then click “Available Note(s) for Download (Click to Expand)”.

*AEC may contact your instructor to find out more information on the structure of your course and may cancel your request if your course lecture material is available asynchronously. If you find that you still need a peer notetaker for a notetaking request that is canceled, please email aecnotetaking@uoregon.edu.

Once a peer notetaker has been identified and assigned, it is the student's responsibility to notify AEC immediately if issues arise--such as inadequate, inaccessible, or inconsistently uploaded notes.

Questions about peer notetaking? Contact aecnotetaking@uoregon.edu.

Computer-Based Notetaking

Computer-based notetaking may be used when a student needs a different level of support than peer notetaking or available technologies can provide. This involves a student employee who is not registered in the class who provides detailed notes according to the preferences of the student. An online notetaking service may also be used by the AEC to provide computer-based notetaking services. This involves the student recording lectures and uploading the audio files to the notetaking service. Notes are emailed back to students within 48 hours.

Meet with an AEC advisor to establish which type of notetaking support best accommodates your needs. 

Make an Appointment with AEC