You can reduce note taking stress by requesting a video recording or creating a video recording to reference after an online course or presentation.
Many online courses or presentations are conducted using webinar software or video conferencing applications with video recording capabilities. Thus, the lecturer could choose to record the course or presentation.
First, speak with the lecturer. Ask if they had plans (or could plan) to record the presentation. For instructions on recording in Microsoft Teams, reference the Microsoft Support article Record a meeting in Teams. To find instructions for recording in Google Meet, reference the Google Help article Record a video meeting.
Then, you may be able to transcribe the recording into text. If you have a Microsoft 365 subscription, you can view the recorded Team meeting in the Stream application and view the transcript or even download the captions file to have a written document. See the Microsoft Support article Edit the transcript of a meeting recording in Teams. To obtain a transcript of a meeting in Google Meet, use a third party extension such as Google Meet Transcripts by Scribbl (free for limited use).
If the lecturer does not have plans to record the presentation, politely request permission to use your computer’s recording tools to create a video recording. Then, you can produce a video recording of an online course or presentation using screen recording technology.
Both Windows and Mac computers have screen recording tools built into the operating system. Windows computers have a gaming toolbar with a video recording tool and Mac computer have the QuickTime screen recorder. Here are the how-to instructions for using the screen recording tools.
Microsoft: Video Recording
Windows Gaming Toolbar
Video record your computer screen using the Xbox gaming toolbar.
- On a Windows computer, open Settings and select Gaming.
- Under “Enable Xbox Game Bar,” toogle On.
- Open the video conferencing application for the course or presentation that you want to record.
- Then, press the shortcut Windows logo key + G (remember G for gaming) to open the Xbox Game Bar.
- Turn on/off the microphone by clicking the Microphone button.
- Start recording by pressing the Record button (circle icon).
- Click anywhere to remove the control windows. A small recording bar will remain.
- Click Stop (square icon) when finished recording.
- The file will save to a Videos folder under a folder called Captures as an MP4 file.
Microsoft Support article: Use a screen reader to record your screen with Xbox Game Bar
Apple: Video Recording
QuickTime Player Screen Recorder
Video record your computer screen using the QuickTime screen recorder.
- On a Mac computer, open Launchpad. Find QuickTime Player from the display or the search bar.
- Open the video conferencing application for the course or presentation that you want to record.
- Right click the QuickTime Player icon. Select New Screen Recording.
- Adjust the screen recording window to the area on the screen that you want to record.
- Now, click Options from the QuickTime Player control panel. Choose a microphone to provide audio with the screen recording.
- When ready, press Record.
- To stop, click the small Stop icon at the top of you computer screen.
- A movie file (.mov) will be created. Press Play to view the video recording.
Apple Support article: How to record the screen on your Mac and scroll down to the QuickTime Player section
Additional note taking strategies and tools
- Rather than handwrite, type information using standard keyboard or use an alternative keyboard or mouse alternative
- For virtual meetings or classes, take screenshots of information
- Request permission to audio record information
- Top 4 Essential Tips: Mastering Note Taking with Recording Tools
Resources
Effective Note-Taking in Class – Article from The Learning Center, University of North Carolina Chapel Hill
Low-tech/No-tech strategies – Always remember the low-tech/no-tech strategies in instances when technology is not working. Reference the note taking chart on the Writing Toolkit page.
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