Notetaking Assistance is an accommodation that is available for students on an individualized basis. Other options include the use of audio recorders or the use of a notetaking device such as an AlphaSmart or laptop computer.
Notetaking Assistance means that another student in the class who is already taking good notes is recruited to take notes on special paper that produces a copy automatically. This way both the notetaker and the DSS student have notes at the end of each class session. Students using Notetaking Assistance are encouraged to review a sample of the notes taken by a student notetaker who comes forward during the recruitment process to make sure the handwriting and organizational method will work well. Usually the students who come forward to serve as notetakers are strong students with excellent notetaking techniques. Feedback has generally been very positive.
Some students like to recruit their own notetakers, other students prefer to have faculty or DSS staff assist in the process by reading an announcement out loud to the class.
Students using notetakers sign an agreement form. Students are responsible for all communication regarding missed classes, quality of notes, and other concerns. Students are also responsible for making sure the notetakers who come forward in the recruitment process make contact with DSS to turn in the Notetaker Application paperwork.
Notetakers receive a Notetaker Overview in their application packet. Notetakers also receive carbon-treated notetaking paper so that when they take their notes as they always would, a second copy is produced without any additional work. The Application packet also contains a Notetaker Payment Verification form that is signed by both the DSS student and the notetaker at the end of the semester. The notetakers are paid $25.00 per credit per semester.
