Digital Recorders for class! Help me pick one.

I would like to purchase a good digital recorder that I can use during my classes. I would like to be able to download the lectures to my computer and burn them on CD. I've heard that some teachers don't like it when you record them, so some students put them in their bags and record --- so it'd have to be able to "hear" well. Please make some suggestions. :-)

Hi!

I bought my daughter an iRiver 512MB MP3 player that has voice record capabilities for lecture. She loves it. It's teeny-tiny and would fit in a pocket easily.

Good luck!

Oh, that's not a bad idea! I'll have to do some research on it... thanks!

I just used a microcassette player, and listened to it while typing up my hand written lecture notes to make sure I didn't miss anything.

Then, I took my notes read them while recording from the computer, and burned it on CD. I listened to the CD everytime I got in my truck. I definately think this is a GREAT idea!

(It also came in handy on the way to take tests and I needed to remember what to put for my essay questions that I answered the night before....lol I would read the question, then read the answer for each question, burn them on CD, and push repeat all the way to the school. Then read the actual typed questions and answers all the way from my truck to the testing center...pulled off an A (101%) in A&P1 and an A in Developmental Psychology.)

It's now a MUST DO for all my classes!!! ....as for your question....I dont have a clue about digital recorders, sorry. :chuckle

I would like to purchase a good digital recorder that I can use during my classes. I would like to be able to download the lectures to my computer and burn them on CD. I've heard that some teachers don't like it when you record them, so some students put them in their bags and record --- so it'd have to be able to "hear" well. Please make some suggestions. :-)

I DEFINETLY KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT TEACHERS NOT LIKING TO BE RECORDED. THE SONY NWMS90 IS EXCELLENT

I DEFINETLY KNOW WHAT YOU MEAN ABOUT TEACHERS NOT LIKING TO BE RECORDED. THE SONY NWMS90 IS EXCELLENT

I use a standard size cassette tape recorder. It fits in my hand, and records really well. Using the standard size cassettes helps in several ways: I can listen to the tapes in my truck during my 20 minute commute, I can listen to the tapes in my Walkman while exercising (on that rare occasion when I have "spare" time), and the tapes are easy to purchase.

My laptop also has a voice-recording program; I haven't figured out how to use it yet. That project is tops on my list of things to do during my break.

Playing devil's advocate, I can understand why some teachers refuse to allow recordings--PT confidentiality rules and recordings can record activities deemed undesirable by universities. A recording is usually the end-all to a "he/she said... no I did not..." discussion. I wished I had my recorder with one particularly problematic instructor. Maybe she would've moved onto yet another university.

Other instructors welcomed them as additional tool by which to learn. Occasionally they would say, "Please turn off the recorders because I'm going to relate a PT's case... etc." That was ok.

I like the idea of digital, but you can record 120 minutes worth of lecture? What if you have two or more lectures a day? No tapes causing jams is a plus.

Don't use voice operated recording mode if available. As the recorder responds to a spoken voice, it often irritatingly cuts off the first words uttered. Power adaptors and extension cords for them would also be nice because my school's lecture auditoriums have electrical outlets built into the floor. Adaptors save the price of batteries at home too.

I also looked at a company called Caliphone (SP) who makes regular cassette-sized recorders, 6x (?) bigger than the palm-size recorders/players with which most are familiar, but still very backpack portable. Would have probably bought one ($170ish off the net) had I remembered the company earlier in my student nursing career. I first used them their products 30 years ago in another career. The advantages are better sound recording due to a larger tape format and you can use 120 minutes tapes. I have to closely monitor tape remaining with my 90 minute micro tapes, 45 minutes per side, lectures are 110 minutes or so... Regular-sized tapes work in cars too--handy for the ride to school, home, etc. Still my Sony M-100MC has become indispensable.

I have an Olympus DVR VN-480-PC, that I purchased at Radio Shack. It's smaller than a cell phone and has a built in mic as well as a clip on. Very clear and easy to use. Also has 8 hr record capabilities.

Playing devil's advocate, I can understand why some teachers refuse to allow recordings--PT confidentiality rules and recordings can record activities deemed undesirable by universities. A recording is usually the end-all to a "he/she said... no I did not..." discussion. I wished I had my recorder with one particularly problematic instructor. Maybe she would've moved onto yet another university.

Other instructors welcomed them as additional tool by which to learn. Occasionally they would say, "Please turn off the recorders because I'm going to relate a PT's case... etc." That was ok.

I like the idea of digital, but you can record 120 minutes worth of lecture? What if you have two or more lectures a day? No tapes causing jams is a plus.

Don't use voice operated recording mode if available. As the recorder responds to a spoken voice, it often irritatingly cuts off the first words uttered. Power adaptors and extension cords for them would also be nice because my school's lecture auditoriums have electrical outlets built into the floor. Adaptors save the price of batteries at home too.

I also looked at a company called Caliphone (SP) who makes regular cassette-sized recorders, 6x (?) bigger than the palm-size recorders/players with which most are familiar, but still very backpack portable. Would have probably bought one ($170ish off the net) had I remembered the company earlier in my student nursing career. I first used them their products 30 years ago in another career. The advantages are better sound recording due to a larger tape format and you can use 120 minutes tapes. I have to closely monitor tape remaining with my 90 minute micro tapes, 45 minutes per side, lectures are 110 minutes or so... Regular-sized tapes work in cars too--handy for the ride to school, home, etc. Still my Sony M-100MC has become indispensable.

Excellent point! I ALWAYS ask the instructor if it is okay to record their lecture. I had one lab instructor saying not-too-nice things about another instructor; she stopped me after class to ensure that I did not share my tapes with anyone else. However, the tape recorder was resting next to her podium and I had asked her before the class began.

I haven't ran into a problem with instructors not wanting to be recorded. As for myself, it would only be a personal thing b/c I don't like the sound of my voice. lol

All I can say is that if I do run into a NO RECORDING instructor, then he/she better talk slowly, and be prepared to repeat themselves over and over again. I feel I am paying for them to teach me, so until I have what needs to be written, class will be held up. .....unless they give up and say I can record them... :chuckle

As for patient confidentiality.....an instructor shouldn't be discussing a patient by use of names when everyone and their dog can hear.... :) IMO! :)

Thanks for everyone's replies! I had no idea some instructors were nice enough to let you put the recorder near them! I guess I still remember high school and remembering some of the teachers more as wardens or something... Fun2Care, you're so right! We're paying! This is a service to us! LOL.

Thanks for everyone's replies! I had no idea some instructors were nice enough to let you put the recorder near them! I guess I still remember high school and remembering some of the teachers more as wardens or something... Fun2Care, you're so right! We're paying! This is a service to us! LOL.

LOL .... or at least it should be, right? :chuckle

"As for patient confidentiality...an instructor shouldn't be discussing a patient," I disagree with you here. This isn't criticism or meant to be argumentative. Nursing's about people/patients/clients and cases are brought up for discussion. I've seen it happen more times than I can remember, "The other day one of my students had an ulcer colitis..... Bob, what's the prognosis so far?" Often it just happens; students will bring up cases too. My understanding of JCAHO is that conversations involving patients is permissible among colleagues (that is us nurses) if it supports treatment, diagnosis, etc.