Volunteer Notetakers

How to Identify a Volunteer Note Taker

Disability Resources uses volunteer note takers whenever possible. We would like you, the student, to take the steps listed below to identify a suitable volunteer notetaker in each of your classes.

1. Ask someone in your class to share their notes. You may provide NCR paper (available in D.R.) or make free copies in the Disability Resources office.

2. If you are not comfortable approaching classmates about sharing their notes, ask your instructor to help you by identifying a suitable person. Your instructor may provide you with his or her lecture notes, or make a general announcement to the class requesting volunteers to remain after class. Your instructor may then assist with introductions, if time permits.

3. If you and your instructor are unable to identify a suitable person within a reasonable period of time (1-week), return to Disability Resources and notify D.R. staff of the problem. Disability Resources will work with you and the instructor to explore other options.

How to Find and Keep A Volunteer Notetaker

It may be difficult to approach classmates, but these tips should help you in setting up volunteer notetakers for your classes. Whenever you have problems, be sure to contact Disability Resources for assistance.

At the Beginning of the Term

1. Practice how you might ask someone to be your notetaker. Think about how you would approach the person, and what you might say. Ask D.R. staff or other students with disabilities.

2. If needed, ask your instructor for help when you discuss and share your Letter of Accommodation. Usually, your instructor can recommend a student or ask for volunteers at the next class session.

3. Consider people who sit near the front and pay attention, students you know (or at least recognize) from other classes, students with friendly faces, or older students.

4. Try to select your notetaker(s) as soon as possible. Don't put it off for too long!

5. It's a good idea to find one regular notetaker and one or two substitute notetakers for each class.

6. Give each of your notetakers a "Notetaker Tips" handout. These handouts are available through D.R. to help you approach classmates and explain why you need their help.

7. Exchange phone numbers with your notetakers, so that you can let each other know about absences. This partnership may also work into a study group.

During the Term

1. If you choose to use NCR paper: Be sure to have a good supply in your notebook at all times for your notetakers. Do not send notetakers to pick-up the NCR packets. Be sure to explain how to use it! If your notetaker prefers to use their notebook paper, you can make copies in our office.

2. Remember to thank your notetakers throughout the term, and let them know that you really appreciate their help. For example, you might say that their notes were a big help when you were studying for an exam, or that you appreciate how well they organize the information.

3. Even though you have a notetaker, you still need to attend class regularly, take your own notes, and actively participate.

4. Occasionally, students have problems with their volunteer notetakers. The notetaker may not write down enough information, or their writing may be hard to read. This can be an uncomfortable situation. You may wish to discuss the problem with D.R. or other students with disabilities who have faced this same dilemma. It is best to deal with the problem soon, not to let it slide and hurt your grade!

Near the End of the Term

1. During the last several weeks of classes, give your notetakers full names (spelled correctly) to Jane in the D.R. office. "Certificates of Appreciation" can be made for you to give to your notetakers.

2. Consider writing short "Thank You" notes to your notetakers telling them how much you appreciate their help.

Tips for Notetakers

Thank you for your assistance as a notetaker. Your notes will be important for a student, who, because of a disability, is unable to take adequate notes and still concentrate or participate in class. As a notetaker, you can either use NCR paper (provided by Disability Resources) or ask the student to have D.R. staff copy your notes. Talk with the student requesting your notes to arrange these details. If you have any questions, D.R. can be contacted at 463-5150.

Tips

• Be very clear when taking notes

• Be on time to class; you cannot have complete notes if you are not in class from the beginning. Often, important information is given out just as the class begins, or as the class ends, such as exams, cancellations, etc.

• Get feedback from the student about your notes. Establish an attitude of openness that will encourage communication about any difficulty the student has reading or understanding your notes.

• Be unbiased. Do NOT let your own opinions or attitudes show in the notes.

• Number, title and date each page, so that the student can keep track of the notes easily.

• When using NCR paper, use only one set of NCR page at a time.

• Use a ball point pen; black is easiest to read. Make sure you are printing hard enough to make a readable second copy on the NCR paper.

• Write legibly: A complete transcript is not worth anything if it is not readable.

• Take as detailed notes as possible, so the student will be able to understand your notes at a later date.

• Leave blanks when you are unsure, and then go back after checking with the instructor or textbook and fill in the missing information.

• Mark points of emphasis, such as test dates and assignment due dates, with circles, stars, underlines, and capitalization.

• Use abbreviations carefully. Include a key if necessary.

• Include all information on the board, since it is usually important.

• Record all technical facts, names, dates, places, equations, diagrams and examples.