I'm starting my nursing program this month- can't believe it's finally here! A former student at my school (graduated) advised me to ask permission to record the teachers giving lectures. I'm a very visual learner- reading and drawing are my things (for example, drawing a heart with all its internal workings of the best way for my to learn and remember how it works). However, I can understand how being able to replay the lectures would be helpful. The grad student also said that the teachers always mention material that will be on the tests.
Has anyone else done this and was it helpful? Is it a common thing to do? It's been a looong time since I was a student and I want to do well, but also not looking to request anything unusual that will set me apart from other students right from the start.
I always allowed audio recording, but not visual, and very specifically in the syllabus stated it could not be posted in any way, social media, you tube, etc.
Recording without permission is illegal in some places.
If you have permission both to a) record and b) use a laptop or tablet in class, I highly recommend the program Sonocent audio notetaker. You can take notes in it that link directly to audio timecodes so that if your notes seem garbled or incorrect, you can just click on those notes, see what the prof was saying at the time and correct your notes. I have a learning disability and Sonocent is provided to me by my college. I started out with a handheld digital recorder and got Sonocent midway through the semester. The fact that the notes are timelinked makes the audio recordings actually useful. *No one* wants to go back through a full three hour class, but sometimes you need some of it.
Thanks for all the ideas and info, everyone ?. Now I know about Anki, the SmartPen and LiveScribe Desktop, and Sonocet audio notetaker. I'm happy to know about different study aids because it's been decades since I've been in school, and when I was, I wasn't much of a scholar. I know that I read quickly and seem to remember what I read, and like to draw how things work, but audio might be very useful as well. I am a rather sloppy notetaker, so I'm thinking that could really help me out.
I record all of my lectures and listen to them while I'm studying at home, in the car, walking the dog, etc. My classes are typically four hours long, so I record the lectures in chunks, typically by chapter. As the professor pulls up the powerpoint for the next chapter, I start a new recording and title it with the class and chapter. It makes it so much easier to find what I'm looking for while I'm studying. I haven't had a professor say no yet, but I'd definitely make sure to ask permission before busting out the recorder.
When recording try to organize it as much as possible and record by topic. Follow the headings in your textbook and record as accordingly. (Which means you will need to do preparation before class to at least have an idea of all the textbook headings and subheadings. The professor will go off topic many times and you do not want to record that stuff) That way when it comes to exam preparation you can review each topic with recordings that are short bursts and not 4 hrs long straight. Make an outline and write the time next to each section too. Nursing school is all about staying organized ?
I'm not an auditory learner, really, but I have a long commute to school so I record lectures. Even casually listening to them as I drive is great help. In particular it seems a good way to catch the hints and little nuggets of what will be on exams.
And I just got a Bluetooth motorcycle helmet so now I can ride and listen.
The only complication I've had is that one prof is so boring and speaks in a monotone that I found myself getting sleepy while driving and listening.
I taped mine. Listened to them while doing driving, housework, etc. It's nice to listen to something again and listen again if you didn't understand the first time. I learned this bf nursing class when I took a fast paced Chemistry class. Wrote notes and taped everything and went home and tried to make sense of it after the second time I heard it. ?
I used my small recorder throughout nursing school. I listened to my lectures while driving, while doing laundry, etc. it was really helpful for Med/Surg lectures.
More great ideas- thanks to all of you! That's what I was thinking, that I could listen to the recordings during my drive to work, at home, etc. Might help some of the information really sink in. I just want to do well and I've realized that I need to learn how to study efficiently. I'm also not a really organized person and I know that must change if I'm going to succeed.
Luchador, that's awesome- a Bluetooth helmet. My goal after I graduate and get a decent paying job is to buy myself a motorcycle. My husband and son both ride and I want to be on my own bike, not always on the back ?. Ugh I hope I don't have any really boring instructors, I'll probably fall asleep right in class.
My personal experience.. I record all my lectures and listen to them. My school is supportive of this and they encourage us to record them. I am also a visual learner so it helps me to re-listen and rewrite my notes or if I’m driving I just visualize what I had written down on my power point slides. The professors lecture a lot about what will be on an exam. Pretty much if they burn calories writing something on the board or talk about something for a while you need to know that! And listening to the lecture again will emphasize that. It’s helped me I hope this helps you! Best wishes
Snatchedwig, BSN, CNA, LPN, RN
427 Posts
I record without permission. With all this money I paid you must be high if I care. I also took a lot of pens and used up their ink.