Note-takers share their lecture notes with a classmate. Notes provided by note-taking volunteers supplement or provide notes for those who are unable to take notes during class. Note-takers do not provide any academic assistance or advantage for those who use the service. A note-taking volunteer is not a tutor, interpreter, or reader/writer. Every semester, the Dart Center is seeking students who take thorough notes, document important course content, and are willing to help other students have equal access to the course material. It is rewarding and convenient to be a note-taking volunteer. Notes can be uploaded to the Dart Center’s convenient online portal, AIM, and they must be uploaded within 24 hours from the end of class.

Do you think you would make a good note-taker? Read more to see if you would enjoy this volunteer opportunity!

The Dart Center facilitates access to note-taking accommodations for students with documented disabilities. Eligible students have disabilities that may impact their ability to take notes, due to a variety of reasons. It may be a physical reason (limited use of hands, low vision, deaf or hard of hearing, etc.) or non-physical reason (difficulty listening and writing at the same time, difficulty transcribing verbal information, etc.). By being a note-taker, you are making a commitment to assist in providing required accommodations for a student in your course. Your notes are a vital component of a fellow student’s academic success.

To qualify to become a note-taking volunteer, you must be a current UH student who is currently enrolled in a class that requires a note-taker.

You may become involved in the note-taker program in a variety of ways:

• You receive an email from an Access Coordinator in the Dart Center explaining that you have a student registered with the Dart Center in your course.
• You receive a message from a fellow student or instructor requesting a volunteer.
• You elect to take notes for the Dart Center or a particular student (availability based on your current schedule and note-taker demand).
• If you wish to participate, please see the instructions on the note-taking page on the Dart Center’s Website. If you have any questions or concerns, please email JDCenter@central.uh.edu.

Our staff will notify you via UH email if you have been matched with a note-taking assignment. You will be instructed to log into the AIM student portal and sign a note-taker agreement.

• Take notes as usual during class. Be sure to record all pertinent content.
• Upload notes to the AIM student portal database within 24 hours of the end of each class session. If the notes are handwritten, you can scan them and upload them to AIM.
• If other arrangements have been made to deliver notes to the student, please email JDCenter@central.uh.edu with this information.
• If you are unable to attend a specific class, please email your instructor and inform them that you will not be in class to take notes for the student.
• If you are unable to continue taking notes at any time, please email your instructor and the Dart Center (JDCenter@central.uh.edu) so that we can work on finding a replacement note-taker.

Our staff will notify you via UH email if you have been matched with a note-taking assignment. You will be instructed to log into the AIM student portal and sign a note-taker agreement.

• Take notes as usual during class. Be sure to record all pertinent content.
• Upload notes to the AIM student portal database within 24 hours of the end of each class session. If the notes are handwritten, you can scan them and upload them to AIM.
• If other arrangements have been made to deliver notes to the student, please email JDCenter@central.uh.edu with this information.
• If you are unable to attend a specific class, please email your instructor and inform them that you will not be in class to take notes for the student.
• If you are unable to continue taking notes at any time, please email your instructor and the Dart Center (JDCenter@central.uh.edu) so that we can work on finding a replacement note-taker.

• If you become aware of the name of the student you are taking notes for, maintain a respectful and professional relationship with the student. Respect the student’s right to privacy by keeping their name confidential.
• Try to attend all class sessions.
• In the event a note-taker must be absent from class, note-takers are asked to notify their instructor so other arrangements can be made for the student receiving notes.
• If no notes are taken in class, upload a document stating there were no notes on [day] for [course].
• Maintain academic integrity and refrain from sharing copies of notes with other students.
• Notify the Dart Center as soon as you can if there are any note-taking concerns or changes in your class schedule.

If you choose to become a note-taking volunteer, you may benefit from ONE of the following:

• Priority registration
• An academic incentive set in place by your instructor (Note: you can discuss this option with your instructor before making a decision about becoming a volunteer note-taker)

OR

• A letter of recommendation from the Dart Center

If you choose to become a volunteer note-taker, you can include this on your resume.

Example Resume Statement:
Volunteer Note-taker (Fall 2022-Spring 2023)
University of Houston, Main Campus, Justin Dart Jr. Student Accessibility Center Provided detailed class notes for qualified students registered with the Justin Dart Jr. Student Accessibility Center. [# weeks or semesters] of accommodation note-taking service were completed.

• Attend all class sessions and communicate with your professor if you will be absent.
• Sit near the front of the classroom/near the instructor.
• Be an active listener.
• Be organized and use a note-taking format that is clear and easy to understand.

• Record the date and class on the top of the first page of notes.
• Put the class session date and course number on the first page.
• Make notes complete and clear enough to understand when you come back to them.
• Explain all abbreviations or acronyms when using them for the first time.
• Note important ideas, terms, and concepts.
• Ask questions about topics that need more clarification.
• Indicate uncertainty about any content with a question mark.

• Anything written/typed on the board or presented on PowerPoint or projector. (If PowerPoint slides are provided by the instructor, you do not have to repeat content.)
• Any information that is repeated or emphasized by the instructor, especially when preceded by key phrases (“finally,” “remember,” “most important,” “this will be on the exam,” etc.)
• Numbered or listed items, procedures, examples, etc.
• Important or new terms, definitions, and examples.
• References to your textbook (page numbers, exercises, graphics, tables, etc.) or other reference materials
• Pertinent comments made by your instructor or classmates during discussions.
• Key nouns, verbs, dates, etc.