Audio Recorders for Lectures

Nursing Students Student Assist

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Any advice on what type of recorder to get? Normal size cassette tapes or mini cassette tapes? Anything else to consider?

Just want to get an idea of what I should be looking to purchase before I spend the money.

Thanks

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So people actually come to class with audio recorders and just have them on for the duration of the class? Do those things even pick up the instructor's voice loud enough to be able to play it back and listen to it? I'd imagine you'd have to sit in front of the classroom to even find the recorder useful.

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First ask your instructors to find out if enough of them approve of the practice to make it worth the expense. I would purchase the best quality I could afford, micro versus regular size, AVR, also look for an external mike and an adapter, both of which could come in handy. If you can't position yourself in front of the class, then do what we did. Many students placed their recorders on a desk or table close to the instructor's podium. You needed to have it set on long play, as instructors didn't want students jumping up and disturbing everyone to see if their recorder had stopped. I used to record my classes and found this practice to be quite useful. I've heard that it has gone out of popularity lately as more and more schools move to protect what their instructors say during class. I couldn't care less as long as I was helped to get the contents. Bad at note taking.

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Bad at note taking.

I am the same way. I hope they let us use audio recorders, I don't see why they wouldn't.

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Specializes in CDI Supervisor; Formerly NICU.

There are some really nice digital recorders that don't rely on cassette tapes. You can transfer the lecture to your computer to use as needed (via USB cable).

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I just hook up this thing called "iTalk" to my iPod and it go. We are allowed to record lectures and encouraged to put our recorders up at a table near the professor while they are lecturing. It is the best thing, I don't have to worry about space and quality is great. I got it for $20 on Amazon.

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A digital recorder is the best! I got mine a couple years ago from Walmart. It has a headphone jack so I can listen to my lectures while I'm working out and I can load my lectures on to my computer via USB.

I also try to get a spot in the front of the room so the instuctor's voice is easier to hear.

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Specializes in Psych ICU, addictions.

I'd also go for the digital one as opposed to tapes: digital recorders can hold hours (10-20 or more!) of lecture where as with tapes, you're flipping or swapping every 30 to 60 minutes.

Plus, most toddlers can destroy cassette tapes in under 2 minutes. With the digital recorder, you can switch the Lock/Hold on when you leave it anywhere, and that will buy you at least 5 minutes before the kid figures it out. Though if he was breastfed, he might be able to crack it in 3.

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Can anyone suggest a name brand for the digital recorder? I am looking for something to transfer lectures to my laptop..Thanks

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