Note-taking accommodations

Students who experience barriers to capturing lecture content can qualify for note-taking accommodations. The Office for Disability Equity provides the following support for students to minimize the barriers: 

Through Information Technology, ODE offers Glean to students approved for note-taking accommodations. To use Glean, students must be authorized by ODE. Contact the ODE consultant assigned to you to obtain authorization. 

Video: Glean

A video that describes the basic features of Glean.

Other note-taking apps

Below are examples of note-taking apps. Note that some apps are free, while subscriptions are fee-based.

TurboLearn AI
Free for 2 hours of lecture time per month. 

Microsoft OneNote
OneNote is included in Microsoft Office 365. The University of Montana provides Microsoft Office 365 to currently enrolled UM students. 

Evernote

Notability
Compatible with Mac and iOS.

Peer note-takers

If technology does not provide effective solutions, ODE will provide peer note-taking support to qualified students. A note-taker is a student in the class who volunteers to share notes. ODE will provide $50 in UMoney to the note-taker when students notify us by the deadline: Monday, April 29, by 5 pm (for Spring 2024 classes). 

ODE issues the $50 stipend only to one note-taker per class for a student qualified for the peer note-taking accommodation. 

How to obtain a note-taker

You may ask a classmate to share notes with you. 

Instructors may have assigned student note-takers in their classes. Ask your instructor to connect you with the note-taker.

If there is no identified assigned student note-taker in the class, ask your instructors for their assistance in finding a note-taker. Instructors can use the following announcement for a search:

"A student is looking for a note-taker in this class. The note-taker will receive $50 in UMoney from the Office for Disability Equity during finals week. Please see me after class for more information."

If a search is unsuccessful, contact your ODE consultant immediately. ODE will contact your instructor to explore additional options.

When you use a note-taker - notify us by the deadline

When you use a peer note-taker during the semester, you must submit your note-taker information to ODE by the deadline so your note-taker can receive $50 in UMoney.

  • Deadline: Monday, April 29 by 5 pm for Spring 2024 classes
  • The note-taker will receive UMoney at the end of the term (during finals week). 
  • Your early notice to us is always appreciated. 
  • Your late notice after the deadline will result in your note-taker not being compensated.  
  • You must submit the following information via email at ode@umontana.edu: 
    • Your full name and your University ID

    • Your note-takers' names
 and their University IDs
    • The courses (e.g., BIOB 101)
 for which you had note-takers

    The image below is an example of a notice with the note-takers' information

    It reads Dear Disability Services, I used note-taking accommodations during the Fall 2021 semester. Below is my notetaker's information. John Doe   790100100 BIOB 101. Thank you, Mary Poppins. 790000000

Report to us if

Please report to us via email at ode@umontana.edu by the deadline if: 

  • a note-taker did not share notes with you and should not receive a stipend. 

  • you did not use a note-taker after you notified us.