Note-Taking Software vs. Peer Notetaker

A notetaker may be one of your requests. Historically, many students have experienced difficulty and/or delays in acquiring a human notetaker for one or more classes. Some of these human concerns include: •

  • Difficulty identifying a notetaker; sometimes takes weeks, if ever
  • Delays in receiving notes from a notetaker
  • Notetakers take notes that work for them but may not be what you need and/or are in a style that does not work for you
  • Notetaker is absent
  • Notetaker (or student) drops the class and does not tell anyone, so there’s a delay in securing another
  • Notetaker is failing the class (How good were those notes?)
  • Notetaker accidentally writes down incorrect information (How would you even know?)

Many universities around the country are reporting similar issues. Universities such as Clemson, Ohio State, Georgia Tech, Georgia State, and Kennesaw State, amongst many others, are working out alternative plans to the fallible human notetaker. The results are much more effective and efficient for lecture capture. Depending on the rationale behind your request for a notetaker, please review the following options and let us know, as soon as possible, what will work best for you for your future lecture-capture needs.

Student Disability Services offers several options for note-taking assistance. Students who have been approved for note-taking accommodations may email sds@kennesaw.edu to get set up with one of the following:

Glean is a browser-based app that can be used online or offline to help you take better notes, pinpoint important information, and keep a recording of your classes.

Learn more about Glean here: What is Glean?

Sonocent Audio Note Taker is an audio recording software that can be downloaded right to your computer or used on your cell phone/tablet. The program allows you to capture and organize information from your class while still focusing on what’s happening. While recording, you can highlight and color code the audio, organize presentation slides, and link your text notes all in one user interface.

Learn more about Sonocent here: What is Sonocent?

Livescribe smartpens connect to your phone through the Livescribe+ app. As you write or draw on the special Livescribe paper, the information becomes digitally viewable through the app. As you record audio in your class or meeting, the notes will sync with everything you write or draw.

Please note that we have a limited number available for checkout, and they are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

For more information about LiveScribe Smart Pens, check out the following link: Livescribe Home Page

OneNote is a free software for KSU students  that can be used to type and organize all your notes all in one app while synced across all your devices. Not only can you type notes, you can also record and sync with your typing. You can also draw, solve math problems, and import documents, stickers, images, and web pages straight into your notes. It is like an unlimited canvas!

You can learn more about OneNote on your own by watching one of these training videos: 

Start Using OneNote Take Notes In OneNote
We have several digital voice recorders that are small and compact enough to easily carry around. These are great if you prefer to record lectures and simply play back the audio on the device. Some of our recorders will allow you to transfer the data to your computer. 
If none of the above options work for you, we can discuss other ideas to customize your note taking accommodations. To learn more, contact the SDS office to schedule an appointment with the Note Taking Coordinator.