Note-Taker Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Thank you for your interest in learning more about becoming a note-taker for the Office of Disability and Accommodation Services!

By taking notes for another student, note-takers make a significant contribution to their community.  Please read through the following information to learn what it means to be a note-taker.

What is the note-taker program?

A note-taker provides a service to students who, because of their disability, are unable to take their notes or capture essential information in class.  This service offers reasonable access to lecture material by “bridging the information gap” that may occur with large classrooms and poor acoustical or visual conditions.

What does it mean to be a note-taker in class?

The great thing about being a note-taker is that students do not have to do much more than they already do:  go to class and take good notes.  We ask that note-takers commit to attending all of their courses for the entire semester.  

What’s in it for you?

Aside from the fact that students do something extraordinary to help a fellow student access needed course material, you will also receive the following:

• We will pay you $3.50 for each set of notes uploaded to the note-taking portal on Accommodate.  
• The note-takers note-taking skills will likely improve.  Note-takers often report that their notes and grades improve in those courses where they take notes for another student.  

I read through the note-taker job description, and I would like to be a note-taker.  What should I do next?

To apply for the position, visit AMOS by logging in (Campus Life > Accessibility Services Center > Accessibility Services Portal > “I want to help…  Check off all of your courses for the semester!

Once I apply, can I start uploading notes?

Signing up to be a note-taker does not mean they automatically receive the assignment of being a note-taker. For example, many students may sign up as note-takers in a single class, but we only hire one.  After the Financial Aid and Payroll Offices approve the student and the student signs our Note-Taker Agreement, they will access the Note-Taker portal.  

How will I know if the Office of Disability and Accommodation Services hired me to be a note-taker?

The ODA (oda@moravian.edu) will send an email to the note-taker containing instructions.

What if we watch a movie or have a guest speaker in class?

The note-taker should take notes if the material will be on an exam or included in a project.

What if PowerPoint slides are available through the professor and on Canvas?

The note-taker should take notes on additional information the professor delivers on each slide on the handout.  The note-taker should scan the notes or use the scanner in the Office of Disability and Accommodation Services on the lower level of the HUB.  The recipient can use the handwritten notes in conjunction with the PowerPoint slides.

I’m in a class that has a lot of formulas and graphs.  What should I do?

While we prefer typed notes, some courses do not allow for this (i.e., Math courses, Chemistry, Physics, Economics, etc.) due to equations and formulas that are easier and more sensible to hand write. So instead, the note-taker should scan the notes or use the scanner in the Office of Disability and Accommodation Services on the lower level of the HUB.

Can I use the camera on my phone to take pictures of my notes and upload them to the Portal?

Photos of individual note pages are not acceptable. Handwritten notes with equations or graphs must be scanned and submitted as one document per lecture date, not as individual uploads with the same date.  The note-taker should scan the notes or use the scanner in the HUB on the lower level of the HUB. This aids in the ease of access as it creates one concise document corresponding to the lecture date.  It also cuts down the time you will spend uploading documents and space used on your photo roll.  

Do I have to be enrolled in a class to take notes?

Yes, only students enrolled in the course are eligible to be note-takers.

Will I know who the recipient is?

Probably not.  The status of students with disabilities is a confidential matter.  You wouldn’t know who the recipient is unless that person reveals themself to you.  After you upload your notes to the portal, the student(s) has immediate access to them.

I received an email from Tracy Urban advertising the work-study job.  Why did she pick me?

Tracy Urban contacted you because of the student's enrollment in the course that needs a note-taker and has a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or higher.  

What should I do if I have to miss a class?

Note-takers are required to upload notes within 24 hours of class and must borrow notes from someone else.

I’m a first-time freshman.  Am I eligible to be a note-taker?

Absolutely!  We often need note-takers in classes for first-time first-year students.

Who runs the note-taking program?  Who do I contact if I have any questions or problems?

The Office of Disability and Accommodation Services runs the note-taking program.  If you have any problems or questions regarding note-taking, we are the ones to contact.  We encourage note-takers to contact us immediately if there are any issues so that we can avoid or resolve them as quickly as possible.

What if I’m not interested in the position?

That’s okay and understandable. However, if students are not interested in the position, please respond to the email message you received and let them know you aren’t interested.  It’s that simple. 

If you have any questions or want additional information, send an email to oda@moravian.edu or call (610) 861-1401.