Instructor Assistance

Inclusive Approach

An inclusive approach often reduces the need for notetaking as an accommodation. Taking this approach could include:

• Posting your own complete notes for all students to access.
• Posting the complete notes of a teaching assistant.
• Assigning students to teams and rotate responsibility for each team to create a complete set of notes for posting each week.
  • This approach has the added benefit of having students work in teams and share responsibility for each other’s learning.

Accommodations Approach

If instructors prefer to enact the accommodations approach, these are some helpful tips:

• Once an accommodations notification is received, it would be helpful if you could make an announcement that volunteer notetakers are needed for this class and if anyone is interested, have them contact Access and Accommodation Services. AAS has a template announcement we can send you to recite and/or post in Canvas if needed.
• If you take notice of a student who you think might be willing to serve as a volunteer, please contact them directly and share our office’s information with them so that they can contact us if interested.
• Allowing permission to record class lectures may eliminate or reduce the need for accommodation.
• Posting PowerPoints ahead of time or immediately after class may reduce the need for a volunteer.

Often, it is a combination of the above-mentioned strategies that are most helpful for students.