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Get involved in the Laurier community with something you're already doing... taking lecture notes!
Accessible Learning provides access to note taking support for registered Accessible Learning students who have been approved for this classroom accommodation.
On this page:
The fundamental design of lectures can make note taking challenging for some students with disabilities. It is not uncommon for lectures and lecture rooms to have extraneous noise and distractions, uncomfortable chairs and few breaks, presentation of highly visual material, and fast-paced delivery of content. These factors can impede the ability of someone with chronic pain, ADHD, a learning disability or sensory impairment, for example, to take comprehensive notes.
By being a note taker, you can:
If you are selected to be a note taker, we will email your @mylaurier.ca email account.
Check your email regularly, as we are continuously assigning note takers throughout the term.
Posting notes
Note receivers need the notes as soon as possible after the lecture. This might depend on the course, but generally we ask you to post the notes within two to three days of the class.
Confidentiality
Maintain the confidentiality of student- and disability-related information at all times. Do not disclose the student’s name or the nature of the service being provided.
Attendance
It is your responsibility to attend class on a regular basis and to provide notes for every lecture.
Boundaries
You are not responsible for tutoring, helping with assignments, or providing information from readings. If note receivers approach you for this assistance, please respectfully decline and refer them back to Accessible Learning.
Conflict of Interest Policy
Persons who are in a familial, sexual, marital or financial relationship (per university policy 8.1) with an Accessible Learning registered student may not act as a tutor, proctor or note taker for that student.
Should such a relationship begin, Accessible Learning should be immediately informed and alternative arrangements for note taking will be made by the staff at the centre.
In order to ensure that your notes are most beneficial to students accessing them, it is important to follow a few general guidelines:
Be sure to post your notes within two to three days of the lecture. Use the following instructions for posting notes.
If you have any problems with this process, let Accessible Learning know immediately. You can also check out our note taking FAQs.
Note Takers
At the completion of each term, you will be asked to complete a note taking evaluation form. We are interested in your constructive feedback so that we may continuously make improvements to enhance the program.
Note Receivers
Toward the end of each term, Accessible Learning asks each note receiver to review their note takers. Posting your notes consistently and with all the relevant additional discussion points from the class can earn you a good rating. You should also be aware that we often do spot checks to ensure notes are being posted regularly.
Come prepared for the lecture so you know the topic and what is going to be discussed:
Pay attention to the details and be sure to record:
Once class is finished, always review your notes:
If the professor posts slides in advance of the class, you can easily use these to help with your note taking. There are many ways to add your notes to PowerPoint presentations, and you are welcome to try any of them:
Contact Us:
Waterloo Campus
E:
alnotes@wlu.ca
T:
519.884.0710 x3086
Office Location: P220 (Peters building)
Brantford Campus
E:
lbnotes@wlu.ca
T:
519.884.0710 x3086
Office Location: One Market (OM 207-20)