Students who typically ask for assistance to acquire class notes have conditions including but not limited to, hearing impairments, hand-functions limitations, learning disabilities affecting written expression or visual impairments affecting begin able to see what is displayed but not described in class. Note-takers are generally volunteers enrolled in the same class. UDSS asks instructors to help identify qualified note-takers in individual classes. Note-taking paper is available free-of-charge from the UDSS office. Students may elect to arrange a loan of notes from the note-taker long enough to either use one of the copy machines on campus, or to bring the notes to the UDSS office where they will be copied at no charge for the eligible student. Students who opt to use note-taking paper are responsible for picking up a supply from UDSS and providing it to the note-taker.
Keep in mind, the best notes are those you create yourself. Notes from others reflect the foundation of knowledge that individual has about the subject matter. In addition, someone else's notes reflect their impression about what is important in a lecture, and may not necessarily correspond with what you would consider important.
UDSS encourages students to record lectures whenever possible. Recorded lectures can be used to review and update notes, whether the notes are your own or are borrowed from someone else. Recorded lectures provide a back-up source of information from the class and can be a wonderful study tool.
