Because taking notes in class involves good handwriting and several executive functioning skills – sustained attention, working memory, organization, as well as, planning, prioritizing, starting, and persisting with tasks – students with dysgraphia, learning, and attention problems can benefit from trying these tools so that they have the information needed to prepare for tests.
Try these Tools
Some students can benefit from using one of the following tools that record lectures as they take notes.
Microsoft OneNote
Using Microsoft OneNote 2013 or later versions, students can record audio/video copies of the lecture as they type or handwrite (using a tablet) notes. Audio recording is helpful to verify notes taken in class. If a student misses information, she can click on that part of her notes and immediately replay what the instructor was saying. Students can use a video recording to capture important visual information such as PowerPoint slides or problems solved on the board. Students are urged to talk with their instructors before recording lectures.
More information is available at https://www.onenote.com/.
Notability
Notability is a note-taking tool that is specifically designed for iPhones, iPads, and Macintosh computers. Like OneNote, one of its many features includes the ability to record and playback audio as you are taking and reviewing notes in class or during a meeting. It is easy to get overwhelmed by the number of features Notability provides: start slowly and focus specifically on recording your notes as you take them. Once you have mastered that process, take a look at all the other features available.
For more information, go to https://www.gingerlabs.com.
Livescribe Smartpen
Students using a Livescribe Smartpen can record an audio copy of their instructor’s lecture while taking handwritten notes. Later, when they are reviewing their notes they can tap on any written word or phrase to playback what the instructor was saying at the moment they wrote that phrase. The newest model of these smartpens can also transfer information to be stored on a computer, laptop, and other devices.
More information is available at https://store.livescribe.com/.
Try these Notetaking Tips
Students are encouraged to practice taking notes using the suggestions in these posts:
Practice, Practice, Practice!
Go to my Notetaking Practice page and try these strategies to take notes on the TED talks presented here.
Ask for Accommodations
If your student struggles with a specific learning disorder, dysgraphia, an attention disorder, or other challenges that hamper her note-taking skills, she could benefit from possibly using these tools, receiving copies of teacher lectures, and other accommodations in the classroom.
Talk to your student’s principal to discuss how to best identify and accommodate her notetaking challenges. For more information, consider my post about educational rights for students in public schools.
Need Help Applying These Concepts?
Contact us to make an appointment.
Dr. Davenport is happy to assess why your student struggles with notetaking.
He can also help your student develop better notetaking skills using Student Success strategies.
(c) 2009-2019, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.
