Note-Taking Services

Note-Taking Services

Background image: A Cal student studying by using her laptop.
Image credit:
Elena Zhukova

ATTENTION: Note-Taker Stipend has changed

Who We Serve

Note-taking accommodations are approved on an individual basis through the interactive process between the Disability Specialist and the student. Registered students who have met with a Disability Specialist and have provided documentation that supports the need for note-taking accommodations will then be referred to DSP Note-taking Staff for an assesssment. Upon completion of your asssesment appointment, you may receive one of the following technology based options:

  • Technology Based Notetaking Applications, such as Glean,which is a cloud-based notetaking app that makes it simple and easy to review your notes,   Messenger Pigeon in which students record classes and send them to a remote notetaker, or Otter.ai which is a real time transcription app. 
  • In some cases, students may receive a in class peer-notetaker. 

You must be approved by your specialist in order to receive these accommodations. Once you’ve been approved, your specialist will set up your Note-Taking Assessment Appointment. If you have questions or would like a follow-up, please email dspnotes@berkeley.edu.

Note-taking Technologies

What is Glean?

DSP offers several different assistive Note-taking Technologies as a classroom accomodation. 

The most popular option is Glean  which is software that allows you to take better notes. It turns your laptop or mobile device into an audio recorder and combines visuals with text and audio recordings.

Glean includes the ability to transcribe lectures. In depth Feature List of Glean

Otter.ai is a real time transcription app. Otter.Ai Feature Page

In order to receive Notetaking Technology Accommodations, you will need to meet with your specialist first.

Your specialist will set you up with an appointment for a Notetaking Assessment. During the assessment, you will be asked a series of questions and Notetaking staff will help make a recommendation for the technology that would best meet your accommodations (Glean, Otter, Messenger Pigeon). You will receive a technology demo as well instructions on how to setup your software/app. 

Please email dspnotes@berkeley.edu if you have any questions. 

Prospective Note Takers

Student taking notes in class

Every semester DSP employs 100+ student volunteer notetakers. If you take detailed, well-organized notes, this is a wonderful way to make a positive difference for a fellow classmate. Upon successfully completing the semester, eligible note-takers can receive a recognition award gift card  via Tango Rewards. ($50 a unit, $200 for a 4 unit class) 

Steps for Requesting In-Class Notetakers

Students in class

The following steps are designed to assist DSP in accommodating you with timely and effective note-taking services through cooperation, good communication, and advance notice. Failure to follow these steps may result in a delay in receiving note-taking services.

Note-taking Policies

Class notes are not intended to substitute for class attendance. The Purpose and Provision of Class notes

A student’s creation of class notes for personal use or study is more than a form of merely recording classroom information for later review and memorization to assist in recalling information presented to the student while attending class. The process of creating class notes assists students in analyzing, synthesizing, and organizing the information and concepts presented in the classroom into a cognitive framework customized to meet the individual student’s unique learning needs....

Contact Information

Note Taking Services

100 Creekside Center

Berkeley, CA 94720

Email: dspnotes@berkeley.edu

Phone: (510)-642-0518