As a note taker, you are a crucial link in the support services that the University of Windsor is able to provide to students with disabilities.
As a way to assist you, SAS has put together the following tips, as well as, provided a general manual on effective note taking strategies and one designed specifically for volunteers.
Attendance and Timeliness
- The student who you will serve is depending on your notes so it is important that you attend class regularly
- You are asked to provide notes to the student you have been assigned to within 48 hours of the class
- If you are going to be absent, arrange for an alternate note taker. The other student should be aware you will be away so they can make other arrangements and the instructor can help too
- The student for whom you are providing notes should attend class regularly but, if they are not, you may report this to your instructor and Coordinator Fatima Merheb (notetaker@uwindsor.ca) in SAS
Neatness, Legibility and Content
- Use abbreviations which is a good way of getting down as much information as possible
- List the course name, code, date of the lecture and page number at the top of each page
- Take note of references, chapter and page numbers as well as assignment and test due dates
- Underline new terms and points emphasized by the instructor
- Include questions and comments from the instructor and fellow students
- Spelling is crucial to effective note taking. When you are not sure of how a word is spelled put an “sp?” so that the student (and you) will know to check the word later on
Typed notes that can be e-mailed are best. If that is not possible there are several things that can be done to ensure legible handwriting including:
- Using a good quality pen that allows for dark, clear script
- Writing legibly in the neatest form of writing or printing possible
- Using the page freely and not cramming information in margins or multiple lines on one