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USING MINI DISK RECORDERS IN LECTURES AND TUTORIALS

Author: Trevor Wilks

BACKGROUND

The provision of note taking services in lectures and tutorials for students with a disability can be extremely problematic for disability support staff at Universities and TAFE's. Whether a note-taker is employed, audiotapes are produced from the AV systems in the lecture theatres, or the student uses a handheld tape recorder the variables which can impact on the success or failure of this process seem, at times, infinite. Even when the process appears to have been successful students have been known to comment, "these are not the type of notes I would have done", "the lecturer forgot to turn the tape over", or " I can't hear the lecturer when they turn to write on the board".

Another option which may address some of these "variables" is to loan the student a minidisk recorder and an accompanying microphone. Minidisks are more expensive than traditional handheld tape recorders but provide quality results if used correctly. Over time this increased quality and versatility may reduce a student's dependence on note taking as their primary support strategy. This may then translate to a saving on notetaker's wages and increase the student's independence and skill level.

ADVANTAGES OF USING THE MINIDISK RECORDER

• The mini-disk recorder when used in conjunction with a small "live music" microphone records high quality digital sound. The "live music" microphone has a wide pick up field so will catch most sound both in lecture situations and in smaller settings such as tutorials. The microphone will usual "pick up" even when the lecturer turns to write on the board or when someone from the audience asks a question.
  
• As the mini-disk records sound digitally students can record, retrieve, edit and use the information more efficiently than with audio-tapes. Sound is recorded in tracks like on a music CD. The student can create their own tracks as they record using a hand held remote control (supplied with most MiniDisks). They can then move from track to track editing out useless information and condensing important information. A motivated student can produce an extremely concise and useable record of a lecture or tutorial.

STUDENT PROFILE

Disability Type

• Acquired Brain Injury - where the students disability impacts on their memory but not their fine motor control.
  
• Learning disability - where a student requires an audio copy of lectures to supplement their own notes or to create their own notes after the fact.
  
• Physical disability which affects handwriting but still allows control of the MiniDisk. Voice Recognition software can be used after the fact to transcribe the notes if necessary.
  

Other requirements

• Successful use of the MiniDisk requires students who are motivated and willing to explore new options.
  
• Students must have a desire to develop their independence and have control over the note-taking process.
  
• Students who are technologically confident will get better results using the MiniDisk than those who aren't.
  

NOTE: The above "Other requirements" are not essential to a student's success in using a MiniDisk to record lecture/Tutorials. Students can use the Minidisk just like a standard tape recorder to produce high quality audio transcripts and ignore the other features of the product.

TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

If operated at its most basic level the MiniDisk is simple to use. A student can be familiarised with this level of usage within half an hour. It is advisable that the student then spend a couple of hours testing the MiniDisk in different locations and then return for a feedback session and further training if they want to expand their skills to the next level.

NEGATIVE POINTS

• The Minidisk recorder requires battery charging after about 2 hours of recording. This is enough to cover most lectures but obviously not concurrent lectures. Students need to recharge the batteries somewhere on campus or carry a spare set of batteries.
  
• The recording time per MiniDisk is currently 74 minutes in stereo mode and 148 in mono mode. 74 minutes may be enough for a tutorial but not enough for a lecture. Mono recording is still of a high quality though and 148 minutes is usually enough for most lectures.
  

MINIDISK VITAL STATISTICS

MiniDisk Recorder Cost: Approx $470.00 depending on the Brand and model type.

* NOTE It is advisable to purchase MiniDisks which have the display on the top of the unit not on the front. This provides easy access to recording information without having to move the MiniDisk in any way.

Microphone Cost: Approx $80.00 (Sony Live music plug in Mic)
MiniDisks Cost: approx $14.00 each (provide 2 with the recorder and student can purchase more if they require them).

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Using Mini Disk Recorders