Instructors Who WON'T Let You Record Lectures?

Jen2 · Aug 27, 2004

My school tried to give us the HIPPA rap about recording also and we have yet to discuss a pt's name in class. Why couldn't they tell us to shut off the recorder if they are going to discuss a pt's name. The whole HIPPA thing is BS to me because my boyfriend graduated from the same nursing school that I am attending in 1999 and they were also not allowed to record, HIPPA did not exist then. I am telling you it's because they don't want a student playing back what they said in case an issue comes up with a test question. I don't want to sneak it by any means because the whole recording issue is listed under our academic integrity clause in our syllabus and we all know what happens if we break academic integrity. The instructors told us that they post it under academic integrity because we are allowed to wear earplugs during a test and they don't want people listening to a taped lecture while testing. Whatever! It's just another one of those power struggle things between instructors and students. I so wish nursing instructors would quit using the boot camp mentality thing as a learning tactic.

llg, PhD, RN · Aug 27, 2004

I am going to speak up on behalf of those instructors who don't allow themselves to be taped. Some of you are jumping to the conclusion that there are sinister motives behind their exercise of their legal rights not to be taped. While there are certainly some people who might have sinister motives, it is unfair (and a bit paranoid) to assume that everyone who doesn't like to be taped is "out to get you."

Some people (like me) simply are not comfortable being taped. Imagine how you might feel if your patients' families were to request that all of your nursing care be taped. If you are honest, you will probably admit that it would make you nervous and tend to stifle your spontenaity and perhaps make your nursing care awkward and less effective in the long run. The fact that you would probably prefer NOT to be constantly videotaped doesn't mean you are a bad nurse or that you harbor any ill-will toward any of your patients.

Similarly, those of you who are parents may be able how you would react if some government agency or academic researcher requested to videotape all of your interactions with your children for an indefinate time period. You would probably not volunteer for that project -- or if you did, you would not be "totally natural" in your interactions. The recording devices would make you self-conscious (probably for a good while at least) and interfer with your relationships with your children. Your hesitance to allow the constant recording doesn't mean you are a bad parent, ashamed of how your family lives, or that you harbor any ill-will towards your children.

Many people feel awkward when they are recorded and prefer to avoid it except in very specific situations. People who teach for a living are no different. Many do not like to have their actions/words constantly recorded and later scrutinized by others. That's simply being human. It's not necessarily sinister.

llg

Sheri257 · Aug 27, 2004

Some people (like me) simply are not comfortable being taped.
Many people feel awkward when they are recorded and prefer to avoid it except in very specific situations.

I undertand your point. But I still think this is totally different from the other situations you've described. You've got, what ... at least 30 people in a class, typically. There's not much expectation of privacy in a situation like that. And you're lecturing to a bunch of people where you actually EXPECT them to listen to what you say, remember it, and test them on it.

I'm a pretty good note taker. But my notes are NEVER as accurate as my tape transcripts. For crying out loud, I'm only human. Plus, transcribing helps me grasp and learn the details that are so critical in nursing courses.

So we have pay the price, especially with the huge volume of material we're expected to learn, just so the teacher can feel more "comfortable" ?

I don't buy it. If you are able to lecture in front of 30 people, and expect them to remember and learn everything you say, allowing recordings is only fair.

:rolleyes:

**canoehead, BSN, RN** · Aug 27, 2004

A prof I had once said that her lectures were her intellectual property and had been sold by students taping the lectures, so wouldn't allow taping on those grounds. She didn't give details but apparently the risk was less if only note taking was allowed.

Sheri257 · Aug 27, 2004

A prof I had once said that her lectures were her intellectual property and had been sold by students taping the lectures, so wouldn't allow taping on those grounds. She didn't give details but apparently the risk was less if only note taking was allowed.

That's BS, especially if the teacher relies heavily upon textbooks for course material (which most do). I assume that's why they make us spend a fortune on textbooks. The nursing courses at my school require up to eight textbooks per course, four to five books minimum. The textbooks are copyrighted, not the teachings from those materials.

Now, if the teacher actually writes the textbook or material herself (and I've seen this on rare occasions), and actually files a copyright claim with the U.S. Copyright office, then yes, she could make that claim. But the claim is worthless if she hasn't filed and received a written certificate from the Copyright office.

However, there is also an "education" exemption in copyright law, where even teachers can copy and distribute other copyrighted works for educational purposes on a limited basis. This same exemption could apply to students as well.

:cool:

Energizer Bunny · Aug 27, 2004

I agree with Lizz on this one too. People have been taping lectures for years and instructors know that it is going to be done. I'm glad my nursing program doesn't have a problem with it, if I do decide to go ahead and purchase one.

Sheri257 · Aug 27, 2004

I agree with Lizz on this one too. People have been taping lectures for years and instructors know that it is going to be done. I'm glad my nursing program doesn't have a problem with it, if I do decide to go ahead and purchase one.

Well, here's the other problem. I can't tell you how many times recording lectures has made a difference in whether students pass or fail a course. People who didn't record lectures early on frequently failed tests. Once they did start recording and reviewing the tapes, they were able to pass. It has made a big difference for many people in my classes.

:clown:

Energizer Bunny · Aug 27, 2004

Lizz....did you ask her why she didn't want you to record them? and explore her reasoning with her?

Sheri257 · Aug 27, 2004

Lizz....did you ask her why she didn't want you to record them? and explore her reasoning with her?

I haven't started the course yet. This restriction is described, with much detail, in the course syllabus posted on the school website. Classes start next week, so I will definitely ask about it.

:coollook:

Energizer Bunny · Aug 27, 2004

hmmmmmmmmm........Yeah, i would and I would get some back up from other students that feel the same way you do.

Jen2 · Aug 27, 2004

What irks me is that I am a paying customer for that lecture, 4,800 a semester to be exact. If I want to tape it I should be allowed.

prmenrs, RN · Aug 27, 2004

This is just a suggestion: most schools now have a disabled students service. Go and talk to them. Tell them that, all though you usually do ok w/your notes, you sometimes get behind and then you 'lose' part of the lecture. Or, you are basically an auditory learner, and it helps you to HEAR the lecture more than once. Would it be possible for them to help you advocate for yourself to allow taping?

Worst case scenario, they say no.

Considering how important this info is to some poor pts future fate, I'd sure allow you to tape--

Good Luck!