Notetaker Responsibilities

What are notetakers responsible for?

Notetakers are required to take notes for disabled students eligible for this accommodation.  Notes from class lectures must be organized, clear and informative and provided in a timely manner.  Handwriting must be neat and legible.  Notetakers must demonstrate regular attendance and punctuality. 

What is a notetaker’s role in the classroom?

Notetakers may ask a question if they miss any material that should be included in the notes, but should not participate in the class discussion.  Notetakers are not required to take notes when the disabled student is not in class and should let the office know if their student has any prolonged absences.  A notetaker working with a visually impaired student may have additional responsibilities.  Under these circumstances, it is beneficial if they sit next to their student so that they can read/describe what has been written on the board or overhead.  When working with a student with low vision, a notetaker can use a sharpie marker and write in larger letters so that their student can read the notes as they are writing them. 

What other roles might a notetaker have?

A notetaker may also serve as a reader and/or scribe for disabled students eligible for this accommodation.  In this role, notetakers are required to read test questions, answers and course material verbatim.  They must also refrain from providing clues or cues which may prompt or serve as hints to answers, and must not assist the test-taker in selecting an answer.  Readers need to demonstrate patience and understanding as the test-taker may need to have test questions and/or answers repeated several times.  As a scribe, answers must be written and recorded verbatim.  Scribes must also refrain from providing clues or cues which may help provide answers.