Notetaking

Accessing and effectively using notes is an important part of success in most USU courses. There are many ways to improve your ability to take notes independently and effectively including:

  • Print any instructor provided guided notes or PowerPoints slides prior to class and take your notes on the same paper
  • Study and compare notes with a classmate

Lecture Recording & Notetaking Technology

A student may be approved to record lecture material. This typically will be accomplished with the student using their personal phone or tablet to record lectures. Students with this accommodation are required to sign the Recorded Lecture Policy in addition to the general accommodation policies.

Smart Pen

The DRC has Livescribe Echo Smartpens available for check out to students who are eligible for Lecture Recording and Notetaking Technology. A smart pen records everything a student hears, says, and writes, while linking audio recordings to their handwritten notes. Audio can be replayed by tapping on the notes and the pen cast and linked audio can also be uploaded to Echo Desktop to store and access the notes electronically. The following links show information about the Echo Smartpen:

To check out a Smart Pen, after the student has logged onto Access Portal and requested their accommodations, they will come to the DRC to check out their Smart Pen. Students who are not located in Logan or Price may email their mailing address with their request to drcnotes@usu.edu. Notebooks with the required special dot paper and ink refills will also be provided. The student is responsible to notify the DRC of any problems they have with the Smart Pen. 

Genio Notes License

The DRC has Educational Licenses for Genio Notes. Genio Notes is notetaking software that allows students to audio record their lectures, import PowerPoint slides or handouts, mark points as important, and add notes during lecture. After a student has finished recording the lecture, the audio can be transcribed, providing a complete transcription of the lecture to assist the student in creating their own notes. View this short video to learn about Genio.

Personal Recording Device or your Own App

You are also permitted to use a recording device or notetaking app of your choice.  For a robust notetaking app, check out OneNote by Microsoft. OneNote is included in the Technology Resources available to USU students. 

Recorded Lecture Agreement

Students eligible for a Lecture Recording and Notetaking Technology accommodation must sign the Recorded Lecture Policy Agreement in Access Portal prior to requesting accommodations. The Recorded Lecture Policy Agreement includes the following:

As a student receiving approval to record lectures using notetaking technology, I agree to the following:

  • I agree recordings are for my personal use only.
  • I will not share, post, or distribute recordings.
  • I agree not to use any portion of the recording to harm, discredit, or take action against anyone, or to support any complaint or public statement concerning them.”
  • I understand this accommodation is for creating my own notes. AI features in software are only for study support and cannot be used during open-note quizzes or exams.
  • Notetaking software from the DRC, may be revoked if I do not use it regularly.

Notetaking Accommodation

If a student's disability prevents them from taking notes using the Lecture Recording and Notetaking Technology Accommodation, they may be approved for a Notetaking accommodation. Students who have been approved for Notetaking should first consider what resources are provided in each of their classes when determining if the Notetaking accommodation is necessary in a particular class. Many instructors provide PowerPoint slides, outlines, and/or recordings that may fulfill the need for lecture notes.

After determining the classes for which notes are needed, the student should log onto Access Portal and follow the process to request accommodations. Once a notetaking request submitted to Access Portal is fulfilled, an email is sent to the student advising them that a peer notetaker has been set up and that notes will be available for download on Access Portal.

Students are responsible for contacting the Notetaking Coordinator as soon as possible if they drop a class or no longer need notes for a class. If a student is having problems with the notes they are receiving, or if there are missing notes, the student should, as soon as possible, contact the Notetaking Coordinator or calling 435-797-2444 or emailing drcnotes@usu.edu.. Every effort will be made to correct the problem.

Be aware that notetaking is not generally provided in online classes, entry level English classes, P.E. classes, and most Labs. If a student finds that they need notes in a class of this type, they should contact their DRC Accessibility Consultant.

Accessing Peer Notes

Notetakers assigned to provide notes for a class are required to log onto Access Portal and upload their notes within 24 hours of each lecture.

To access uploaded notes, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to Access Portal
  2. On the left sidebar, under ACCOMMODATIONS, select “Notetaking Services”
  3. If you haven’t confirmed your need for Notetaking Services for the course, select “Confirm Now”
  4. In the “AVAILABLE NOTES” box, select “VIEW NOTES”
  5. All available notes will be listed with a “Download” link

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