Recording device for lectures

[megster871]

What do you recommend I use to record lectures? Not keen on using my phone, would prefer something to use for only lectures. Not too expensive but good quality

[caliotter3]

What would be the arguments against allowing recording?

News to me. it used to be you could glance across a large university lecture hall and see practically every other seat/table with a recording device. The professors couldn't have cared less. Is there something particularly wrong about wanting to review things you might not have caught in real time? Weird; that used to be exactly what the go-getters did.

In total agreement. I used to record my class lectures for just the reasons stated in posts above and never had one instructor who did not allow it. In our nursing classes, people would line up their recorders on a table next to the lectern and the instructor would even intervene if one of them stopped or something. Nowadays people are so paranoid about everything. I'll tell you one thing, if the instructor misspoke about something, I would weigh heavily in my mind whether or not I needed to progress through that class before I would go to the administration to whine. Sometimes it helps to use your head about matters.

[tnbutterfly - Mary, BSN]

Take a look at the PX370 Mono Digital Voice Recorder PX Series by Sony. You can see an overview of this product in the allnurses Product Directory.

[llg, PhD, RN]

What would be the arguments against allowing recording?

As a teacher, my feelings about recording are mixed. I can fully understand why some students want to record -- and a part of me wants to allow it -- and I have allowed it on occasion in the past.

However, recording can inhibit certain types of learning that depend on the honest and free discussion of potentially controversial thoughts. Both the faculty and students might hesitate to fully engage in discussion if they fear that bits and pieces of their comments may be taken out of context and posted on the internet. Some professors have had that happen to them, setting off internet attacks, smear campaigns, death threats, etc. Faculty members who are aware of such incidents are hesitant to allow recording because they fear what a disgruntled student might do with the recording.

When I know when I am being recorded, I censor what I say much, much more -- and the students lose out because they get less of my knowledge and the class discussion is more limited. In classes where there is no recording and the class establishes a good learning environment, the discussions are much more lively, in-depth and though-provoking -- and that more open environment often leads to better learning.

[student_B, ADN, RN]

What would be the arguments against allowing recording?

News to me. it used to be you could glance across a large university lecture hall and see practically every other seat/table with a recording device. The professors couldn't have cared less. Is there something particularly wrong about wanting to review things you might not have caught in real time? Weird; that used to be exactly what the go-getters did.

My nursing school has a blanket policy of no recording of any nursing classes including labs. The rationale given was that students and professors are encouraged to share personal experiences relating to the subjects being taught and recording could lead to personal information being shared inappropriately. I can understand that, but would really prefer to be able to record; oh well.

For my prerequisites, I used a Sony "ICD-PX333" recorder that was cheap on amazon. Great for making use of long commutes to school & clinicals!

*edit: I just checked on amazon, and the price of the px333 is way higher than when I bought it. Any mp3-based recorder would probably work, or perhaps look into buying a small, external microphone for your smartphone.

[JKL33]

Thank you, llg - that makes sense.

I suppose I was thinking mostly of lectures where the basic material was being presented. A few hundred or so people in some of my first chemistry and biology lectures, for example. The professors tore themselves from whatever more important things they had been doing and came to class, delivered the material, very little discussion. You didn't want to miss any of it. :)

Probably wise to have a policy of no recording with the risks you mention, even though the only actual/functional purpose of such would be to allow for ramifications for those who mean harm - since the rule will not prevent recording (or the feared consequences). I don't like situations like this because I believe that very generally speaking, people who follow rules aren't usually the ones who are looking to harm others.

[kara_t]

I have never had a problem with recording lectures just ask at the beginning of each semester or anytime you have a new instructor. I like using mine to fill in things I've missed. I also found listening to lecture again helps me retain info. I also have a 30minute drive to school so listening to lecture then also helps. I got my recorder for about $40 at Walmart it's a super basic recorder but has held up thus far for two semesters.

[kbrn2002, ADN, RN]

If recording is allowed there are several devices on the market, you'll most likely find the widest variety to choose from on Amazon. Make sure recording lectures is OK before you spend the money on one though, some schools may not allow it all and even if the school allows it some instructors might not so make sure and get the OK before you start recording.

[BiscuitStripes, BSN, RN]

My program doesn't allow us to record. I know many others don't either, so I'd check first.