Office of Accessibility : Guidelines for Note Taking

Thank you for offering your assistance as a note taker for a fellow student with disability. Your willingness to help will allow the student to get the most from his/her class sessions. Below are a few guidelines and suggestions that will help you to take effective notes for students with disability.

1. If you are not enrolled in the class for which you are taking notes, it is wise to notify the instructor on the first day of class. Please inform the instructor in a confidential manner that you have been assigned by the Office of Accessibility to serve as a note taker for (student’s name) in the class.

2. Write or print clearly. If using carbonless paper, press firmly using a blue or black ballpoint pen.

3. Write the names of the course name, name and section on the top page of each set of notes. Please write the date of the notes on the top of the page as well.

4. Make a copy of the notes in the Office of Accessibility and leave the copy with the receptionist. Note: If you are taking notes for a Scott Park class, or a class in another off campus location, you are encouraged to use carbonless paper and provide the carbon copy of notes directly to the student. In these cases, the office will provide you with the name of the student to facilitate the transfer of notes to the appropriate student. Carbonless paper is available free of charge in the Office of Accessibility. Never disclose any information about the student for whom you are taking notes.

5. Record information about assignments, due dates, and test dates. In addition, take notes on presentations, movies, and guest speakers.

6. Your notes should be complete enough so that someone else reading them can understand the notes without needing additional explanation.

7. Record all vocabulary words and definitions as presented in class. Spell as accurately as possible, if unsure, as the instructor for proper spelling.

8. Star(*) or underline any information that the instructor emphasizes or relates as important to remember.

9. Ask for clarification from the instructor if you have questions about the material. Also ask for more time to record important points if you find that the instructor is moving too quickly.

10. If you are absent from class, please obtain a copy of the notes you missed from a fellow classmate, and make that copy for the student with a disability in your course.