Why assistive technology? We believe that each of these three tools helps increase student engagement with course material, which fosters learning and retention of information. These technologies allow students to review audio from class sessions, providing the opportunity to hear information they may have missed when it was initially presented, or review new concepts that are hard to grasp. Students can also organize the information in systems that best works for them (e.g., color coded). DRS believes in introducing tools that can be used in employment settings or other contexts beyond the classroom to support the individual’s access for years to come.
LiveScribe Pen: This assistive technology is a physical pen that records audio while the student takes written notes. The student can later upload both the audio and their notes to their computer for organization and review.
Noteability: This app can be used on Apple devices (iPad, iPhone or MacBook). Noteability records audio while a student writes on their device. Students can also take pictures to include in their notes. As with Sonocent and the LiveScribe Pen, Notetability allows for students to organize and review the audio and their notes following class sessions.
Sonocent Notetaker: Sonocent is a computer software that students can use on their laptops and/or smartphones. Sonocent uses a CARE approach to note-taking: Capture, Annotate, Review, Engage. Sonocent records audio information for students to review following the class session. Students using Sonocent on their computers can type notes directly into the program.
In order for a student to receive this accommodation, they must:
- Be registered with the Office of Accessibility Resources and Services (OARS).
- Be registered approved for this accommodation based on their needs , and have it documented in their accommodation letter.
- Communicate with the professor that they intend to use their accommodations in the course.
Professors will first be alerted via the student's accommodation letter sent by OARS each semesterreceipt of the Faculty Notification Letter each semester by the student. If the student is registered for any Assistive Technology it will be stated in the student's accommodation letter as follows:
Accommodation letter text: Letter Text
LiveScribe: "The student will be using a LiveScribe Pen, a technology that allows the student to take notes while recording lectures simultaneously. This will give the student the opportunity to review orally presented information and better prepare for course assessments and exams. If at any point during the lecture that you believe the information is sensitive (such as a sharing of a personal story) or in any way may jeopardize the integrity of the course, you may discreetly ask the student not record those portions. The student also signed an agreement indicating the recorded material will not be shared with other students.
Please note recording lectures is designed to support classroom learning and should solely be used for the student's personal academic use. The recording may not be shared with any other student or used for any other purpose without the expressed written consent of the faculty and the Office of Accessibility Resources & Services. The student also signed an agreement that the recorded material will not be shared with other students."
Noteability: It is the student’s responsibility to not share the recordings with other students or use the recordings for any purpose besides review of lecture content. It is the professor’s responsibility to communicate with the student if there are any portions of the lecture that should not be recorded."
Notability: "The student will be using Notability software, a technology that allows the student to take notes while recording lectures simultaneously. Please all the student to have a laptop or iPad in class. This will give the student the opportunity to review orally presented information and better prepare for course assessments and exams. If at any point during the lecture that you believe the information is sensitive (such as a sharing of a personal story) or in any way may jeopardize the integrity of the course, you may discreetly ask the student not record those portions.
Please note recording lectures is designed to support classroom learning and should solely be used for the student's personal academic use. The recording may not be shared with any other student or used for any other purpose without the expressed written consent of the faculty and the Office of Accessibility Resources & Services. The student also signed an agreement that the recorded material will not be shared with other students."
Sonocent It is the student’s responsibility to not share the recordings with other students or use the recordings for any purpose besides review of lecture content. It is the professor’s responsibility to communicate with the student if there are any portions of the lecture that should not be recorded."
Glean: "The student will be using Sonocent Notetaker Glean software, a technology that allows the student to take notes while recording lectures simultaneously. Please allow the student to have a laptop in class. This will give the student the opportunity to review orally presented information and better prepare for course assessments and exams. If at any point during the lecture that you believe the information is sensitive (such as a sharing of a personal story) or in any way may jeopardize the integrity of the course, you may discreetly ask the student not record those portions.Please note recording lectures is designed to support classroom learning and should solely be used for the student's personal academic use. The recording may not be shared with any other student or used for any other purpose without the expressed written consent of the faculty and the Office of Accessibility Resources & Services. The student also signed an agreement that the recorded material will not be shared with other studentsIt is the student’s responsibility to not share the recordings with other students or use the recordings for any purpose besides review of lecture content. It is the professor’s responsibility to communicate with the student if there are any portions of the lecture that should not be recorded."
Use of Personal Recording Device: "The student will use a personal recording device that allows the student to take notes while recording lectures simultaneously. It is the student’s responsibility to not share the recordings with other students or use the recordings for any purpose besides review of lecture content. It is the professor’s responsibility to communicate with the student if there are any portions of the lecture that should not be recorded."
OARS Responsibility | Student Responsibility | Faculty Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
Determine eligibility for Assistive Technology accommodation.Send out an accommodation letter in a timely manner. Provide access to the assistive technology of choice. The Accommodations Coordinator OARS will email the student further information.
Consult with faculty (, when necessary) , to discuss this accommodation. Be available to students and faculty to answer questions. | Communicate with the professor the intention to use this accommodation by sending the Faculty Notification Letter in a timely manner. Alert the Accommodations Coordinator OARS as soon as possible to any issues the student is having with the assistive technology. For the personal recording device accommodation, the student will provide the recording device. | Communicate with OARS about any concerns with this accommodation. It is the professor’s responsibility to communicate with the student if there are any portions of the lecture that should not be recorded such as personal student stories or outside speakers. |
Application in an online setting: This accommodation applies the same online as face-to-face.
Qualification of accommodation: The accommodation assistive technology is for students who need additional helps due to a physical, learning or other disability that creates a barrier to notetaking.
Why assistive technology? OARS believe that each of these three tools helps increase student engagement with course material, which fosters learning and retention of information. These technologies allow students to review audio from class sessions, providing the opportunity to hear information they may have missed when it was initially presented, or review new concepts that are hard to grasp. Students can also organize the information in systems that best works for them. OARS believes in introducing tools that can be used in employment settings or other contexts beyond the classroom to support the individual’s access for years to come.
LiveScribe Pen: This assistive technology is a physical pen that records audio on a student's phone while taking written notes. The student can later upload both the audio and their notes to their computer for organization and review. Link to LiveScribe resource page.
Noteability: This app can be used on Apple devices (iPad, iPhone or MacBook). Noteability records audio while the student writes/types on their device. Students can also take pictures to include in their notes. As with Glean and the LiveScribe Pen, Notetability allows for students to organize and review the audio and their notes following class sessions.
Glean: Glean is a web-based software that students can use on their laptops and/or smartphones. Glean uses a CORI approach to note-taking: Capture, Organize, Refine, Integrate. Glean is designed to record audio information for students to review following the class session in order to more effectively capture and learn information. Students using Glean on their computers can type notes directly into the program.