Notetaker Training

Notetaker Training, Responsibilities, and Resources

This Notetaker Training was created for CSUN students who have been recruited to be a notetaker for a student who is registered with Disability Resources and Educational Services (DRES) or the NCOD: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services.

When a student’s Shared Notes Accommodation is approved by a DRES or NCOD: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services counselor, the Shared Notes System, sends a Notetaker Opportunity email to students enrolled in the same course as the student with the Shared Notes accommodation.

Thank you for expressing your interest in participating in the Notetaker Program. By being a part of this program, you are enhancing everyone's learning experience.

Once Recruited, Sign-up as a Notetaker

  1. Log-in to the Notetaker Application at https://notes.studentaffairs.csun.edu/ to commence the process.
  2. Review the training and resource materials listed on this page. This content will help you provide good notes for the class.
  3. After you complete the training and resource review, you will return to the Notetaker Application to specify which classes you are interested in sharing your notes.
  4. We encourage you are to actively monitor your CSUN email account throughout the semester; you will receive important information regarding the notetaker application process.

Notetaker Responsibilities

As a Notetaker, I Agree to:

  1. Attend each class session as required by the instructor.
  2. Upload your notes in the Notetaker Application in common file formats such as MS Word, PDF, or common image format such has JPEG.
  3. Upload notes files in a timely manner in the Notetaker Application so that the student has access to notes associated to the most recent course session(s).
  4. Communicate with student about upload file types, quality and legibility of the notes. If there is a problem, which cannot be resolved, you can report the issue in the Communication Channel of the Notetaker Application. Communication between students between students and notetakers will be anonymous. No personally identifiable information will be displayed in the Notetaker Application.
  5. Contact DRES or NCOD: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services regarding any problems associated with my notetaking responsibilities using the Report Issue command button located in the course communications channel in the Notetaker Application.
  6. If unable to attend class, contact the student needing the notes to give them as much notice as possible to make other arrangements for notes.

Note: You may contact DRES at 818-677-2684 or email dres@csun.edu, You may contact NCOD: Deaf and Hard of Hearing Services at 818-677-2054 or email ncod@csun.edu.

Quick tips for taking effective class notes:

  1. Have a good understanding of the information being taught in class and provide a thorough set of course notes the student can use to study and complete assignments
  2. Effectively transcribe course information in a complete, legible, and organized manner. Copy all information from the board, screens and overheads
  3. Identify important information using symbols, such an asterisk (*), a text box, stars, or other indicators consistently to mark items such as key formulas, main concepts, assignments, due dates, and class announcements (such as cancellations or room changes)
  4. If the professor refers to a textbook, video, or other resource, identify it so the student receiving the notes can refer to that material if necessary

Additional strategies to help improve your class notes:
Quick Tips for notetaking
Cornell Notes
5 R’s of note taking