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Note Taking
The Accessible Learning Centre (ALC) provides a note-taking service for registered students with disabilities who have been approved for this classroom accommodation.
The note-taking program is intended to supplement lecture notes and in-class learning, not replace them.
Note Takers
The ALC works collaboratively with professors to help recruit student volunteers. The note takers are students in your classes who have volunteered to share their class notes in a timely manner. Effective note takers are selected for their dedicated class attendance, clear notes and good communication skills.
Your Responsibilities
- Attend all classes, unless you are unable due to illness. The note-taking service will be withdrawn if there are absences for reasons other than illness.
- Note takers are a back up to your own notes and cannot be guaranteed for every class.
- Do not give or sell a note taker's notes to another student.
- Provide feedback to note takers on ALC online and inform the ALC staff about concerns.
- Notify the ALC if you drop a course for which you requested a note taker, or if the course notes are available from the instructor.
Processes
Requesting Note Taker Support
In order to receive note taker accommodations, students must activate their accommodations, selecting “note taker support” when selecting their accommodations for each course.
Note takers are not typically provided for online learning classes (OC) and may not be necessary for remote learning classes when the professor provides term access to the lecture content.
Review the step-by-step instructions below or view a video tutorial on Accessing note taking services on Accessible Learning Online
Requesting note takers:
Step One
Log in to your Accessible Learning Online profile using your Laurier username and password.
Step Two
If you have not submitted your Annual ALC Consent Form, you will be asked to do so when you log in.
Step Three
Review "Your To Do List" on your ALC profile overview. Items that require your attention are displayed on this page. Once you've cleared your "to do" list, you can start selecting your accommodations.
Step Four
Scroll to "Step 1: Select Class(es)" under the heading "Select Accommodations for Your Class" and select the checkbox of the class you would like to request accommodations for. Note: Only courses you are registered in will appear (i.e. you cannot request accommodations for waitlisted courses).
Choose "Step 2 – Continue to Customize Your Accommodations" to continue.
Step Five
Select the accommodations you wish to access for each course.
Choose "Submit Your Accommodation Requests" to submit your request. The ALC will send the Faculty Notification Letter with your accommodation needs to your instructor.
Accessing Notes
As an approved note receiver, you will be granted access to a note-taking course on Accessible Learning Online. Once a note taker is found in your course, he or she will post notes in a Accessible Learning Online discussion board for your course. Note takers and note receivers have the option of being anonymous to each other.
Step One
Log in to Accessible Learning Online.
Choose "Notetaking Services" under the "My Accommodation" left-hand navigation.
Step Two
Choose "Available Note(s) for Download (Click to Expand)" to download completed notes.
Cancel Request for Note Taker
If you no longer require a note taker for your class, you can cancel your request through ALC online:
- Log in to Acessible Learning Online.
- Scroll down until you see the course.
- Click “modify request.”
- Uncheck “note taking services.”
- Click “update request.”
If you have any difficulties with this process, contact the ALC office for assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a Note Taker Guaranteed?
Note takers are a back up to your own notes and cannot be guaranteed for every class.
What If a Note Taker is Not Found?
If a note taker is not found in your class after a couple of weeks and you still require notes, contact the ALC office for consideration of other options.
What If My Class is Online Learning?
The ALC does not typically arrange note takers for online learning classes. If we notice that you have submitted a note taker request for an online learning class, it will be cancelled. If you have any concerns, contact the ALC office.
Are Notes Provided in a Remote Learning Environment?
Note takers may not be necessary for remote learning classes when the professor provides term access to the lecture content.
How Can I Help to Find a Note Taker?
We appreciate your support in being proactive in finding a note taker. You can ask classmates if they are willing to share their notes. If they are, have them register to be a note taker using ALC online or contact the ALC office for assistance.
A Note Taker Announcement Has Not Been Made in My Class. What Should I Do?
Contact the ALC office as soon as possible for assistance.
I Have a Note Taker in My Class, But They Are Not Posting Notes. What Should I Do?
The ALC requests that note takers post notes within two to three days of the lecture. If notes have not been posted within a week of the lecture, contact the ALC office as soon as possible for assistance.
I Have a Note Taker in My Class, but the Notes Are Not Good. What Should I Do?
Contact the ALC office as soon as possible for assistance. Be sure to let us know specifically how the notes are not helpful so that we can follow up with the note taker.