Digital Recording - Helpful or Time Consuming?

JustBeachyNurse, LPN · Jul 2, 2012

It was not an option in nursing school for me as we were prohibited from recording lectures or lessons. Personally i've found that I never listened to the material when I've recorded it in the past so time & energy waster.

DisneyNurseGal, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2012

There is two ways I use my recorded lectures. When I am taking notes and I feel like I miss something, I look at my watch and record how many minutes we are into lecture (in the margin) so I can go back and listen to that part of the lecture again. I skip a few lines to add in more notes and continue on. So many times I miss something then I freak out trying to remember what the professor just said that I miss some more of the lecture.

The second way I use my recorder is as a method of active learning. I just don't listen to the lecture over again, I replay the lecture and then when the professor starts to speak on a topic, I stop the recorder and basically to complete what he is about to say. I write down anything I can think about the subject or topic and then try to give a lecture (to no one except maybe my dogs) about what I think I would say if I were the professor. I then listen to the professor and see if I am close. I know it doesn't explain well here, but it works for me.

If you are planning on recording just to re-listen and hope you understand, that is not the right reason to record.

NyLALove · Jul 2, 2012

I am the kind of student that is ALWAYS writing notes.. almost to the point where I try to write everything the professor says.. word for word. Through the years, I've learned to only write down what I think is important.

I think I like the way you (ebailey1218) use it. I like the idea of taking note of the time whenever I feel I might've missed something.

I've done pretty well without recording my lectures so maybe I'll continue this way unless I feel otherwise..

Thank you!

SarahRN2013 · Jul 2, 2012

I'm with ebailey on checking your watch (or the time on the digital recorder) so you can easily find a spot where you think you missed something.

Digital recorders are also great for making your own audio self-quizzes/study guides for when you are doing mindless/semi-automated tasks like food prep & clean up, workouts, dog walks, carpool or bus ride to school.

Hoosier69 · Jul 2, 2012

I tried using a digital recorder while in medical assisting school, but one annoyance I discovered was when I accidentally hit the "Play" button while in class = embarrassing! I'm sure that, for some people, it's a great learning tool and for others, they may do better with a different learning style. If the instructor allows it, I would try it and see how it works but always have a backup plan (i.e. take good notes). Hope this helps!

Hoosier69 · Jul 2, 2012

i am the kind of student that is always writing notes.. almost to the point where i try to write everything the professor says.. word for word. through the years, i've learned to only write down what i think is important.
i think i like the way you (ebailey1218) use it. i like the idea of taking note of the time whenever i feel i might've missed something.
i've done pretty well without recording my lectures so maybe i'll continue this way unless i feel otherwise..
thank you!

[color=#808080]yes, it's impossible to write every single word heard. i have a friend, who, in ma school, tried writing everything she heard down, filling up her notebook rather quickly. however, i think she had difficulty trying to study it all...

BacktotheBeach, ADN, BSN, RN · Jul 2, 2012

I didn't record nursing lectures in my first year, but I started recording the second year lectures and it was invaluable. Like the above poster, I noted the times during spots where I knew I wasn't getting it all. I usually tried to re listen to it, sometimes while taking a walk I would put it on. It is amazing what you pick up the second time.

I used my ipod and sometimes other students who had to miss class would ask me for my tapes and it was easy to send it to them. I also found that many of the most successful students would re listen to the entire lecture the same week it was given.

lovedijah · Jul 2, 2012

I think it's time consuming. Also I think it depends on the teacher. Most teachers lecture directly from powerpoint- or they talk about issues directly from the book that you could just as easy read your yourself. I suppose if you had a teacher who lectured about things not in the book that you were tested on, it could be helpful.

leenak · Jul 2, 2012

I've been through 1 BS degree, 1 MS degree, a few classes here and there and now nursing pre-reqs, I've never recorded anything.

It is interesting that I figured out writing is the best way for me to commit things to memory. Writing is time consuming as well though. It is one reason I think I've gotten a couple Bs on my tests in my Chem class. In a summer class, I don't have as much time to write things down as I would in a normal semester class.

SarahRN2013 · Jul 2, 2012

I've been through 1 BS degree, 1 MS degree, a few classes here and there and now nursing pre-reqs, I've never recorded anything.

I had the same experience with both my BS and MS degrees, but then I had two instructors who were very fast talkers (compared to any others I've had before). One actually seemed to take pride in the fact that his lectures were repetitive and poorly organized because he was talking pretty much off the top of his head. Yes, he didn't sound like a drone (as my first anatomy instructor was prone to sounding), but he made the class more time-consuming (and perhaps even more difficult) by his lecture style. I aced both classes (15 years apart), but the fast talker took WAY more time to organize his notes before I could start learning.

For that particular instructor (and one other), I found that recording was a big help. For the anatomy instructor, I didn't even try to take notes while he was talking. I would work on making my study guide for the previous lecture while he spoke then I would listen to the recording at home, pausing every 30-60 seconds, and catching everything that he had said. I never would have imagined I would go to class and not listen, but I found if I tried writing while in class then relistened at home, the time spent on one lecture would be more than double -- the first in-class 75 min plus a 90 min relisten. If I only listened at home, my time was only slightly longer (90 min due to pauses) than the original 75 min lecture.

Prior to that, I never recorded even one lecture. Many of my instructors don't allow recording, but those who do, I record as a back-up. I only relisten if I feel I missed something or if when I go to study my notes in the next day or two, I find that my notes aren't very clear. Even if my notes aren't clear, I usually check my textbook for clarification first.

I don't find recording to be necessary and it can be a waste of time if you're listening only because you recorded and recordings must be listened to, rather than because you are checking for something specific. But there have been a few times where it really saved my behind, so I figure as long as it's allowed, why not record?

leenak · Jul 2, 2012

Oh I don't think there is anything wrong with recording but personally I don't have anything to record with. I also only jot down notes in class, my real writing comes after class. Usually by either going through the book or going through the power point slides.

Like my current class, I'd definitely have no time to do a relisten as its a condensed summer course. It is easier for me to jot down my own notes after the class then ask the teacher to clarify points which I don't understand as well.

If I had a long commute though, I can see a benefit to recording lectures.