Meet the Staff – Accommodations Coordinators

Coordinator, Notetaking Tech (Smartpen and other Notetaking Technology)

Coordinator, Notetaker Payment

Coordinator, Notetaking

McBurney Connect

McBurney Connect provides online access for students, instructors, and notetakers to apply for, request and manage student, disability-related accommodations. Additionally, departments can request and manage departmental sign language interpreting and on-site CART captioning requests.

Communication Access - Interpreting and Captioning

Students - Schedule Interpreting icon
Students – Schedule Interpreting


(Note: Students making requests for CART or media captioning need to use the “Student & Notetaker Login” link towards the top of the page.)

Notetaking Accommodations

Notetaking accommodations at UW-Madison are provided in several ways. Eligibility will be indicated on the student’s accommodation plan in McBurney Connect.

OneNote

OneNote is a Microsoft notetaking and productivity application that is available to all students at UW-Madison on Windows and Mac computers. Students can record audio that syncs to their notes, import lecture slides, search notes, create to-do lists and keep notes organized.

Installing Office Desktop Apps from Office365/Microsoft365 (free for UW-Madison students and staff)

Smartpens

Students can use a smartpen to take handwritten notes and simultaneously record the lecture, linking the audio recording to their notes. Students replay audio from their smartpen specific notebook by tapping the pen to their handwritten notes. This allows students to fill in information they may have been unable to write down during class. The McBurney Center loans a smartpen and provides supplies (notebooks and ink) to students who are eligible for a smartpen as an accommodation.

If you have any questions or need additional training, please contact the Smartpen Coordinator.

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How do I check out a smartpen if I have not attended a smartpen training

Contact the front desk  to schedule a smartpen training.  You will receive your smartpen and supplies after completing the training.

How do I check out a smartpen if I have already attended a smartpen training

Email the Smartpen Coordinator to arrange for a pen to be picked up at the McBurney Center Front Desk. Remember to bring your Student ID

How do I get more ink or additional smartpen notebooks?

Visit the McBurney Center during office hours (Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm) to pick up supplies.

How can I download Echo Desktop?

How do I archive my notebooks in the Echo Desktop on my computer?

In Echo Desktop

  1. Select an active notebook
  2. Right click (on a Mac it will be under “File”)
  3. Select “Archive Notebook”

How do I backup my Echo Desktop data/files in Windows

It is important to back up your Echo Desktop files in case your computer were to crash, get stolen, etc. Remember to back up frequently, as any notes you take in between backups could be lost.

Option #1: Back up your computer’s entire hard drive.

If you already back up your hard drive using an external hard drive or other backup source, that will include your Echo Desktop data. If you don’t already do this, it may be a good thing to start, as it will back up all the files on your computer, along with your Echo Desktop files.

Option #2: Back up the Livescribe data folder to a flash drive, CD/DVD, etc.

  1. Find the Livescribe data folder on your computer. (C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Livescribe)  Note: that your will be the login name you use for your computer.
  2. Next, copy the Livescribe folder to the backup storage device.

Option #3: Zip/compress the folder and upload it to Box.

Box is a storage web app that all UW-Madison students can use (up to 50 GB of storage) for free.  To back up to Box, the Livescribe data folder must be compressed into one file.

  1. Find the Livescribe folder (C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Livescribe).   Note: that your will be the login name you use for your computer.
  2. Right click on it and select “Send to…” > “Compressed (zipped) folder”
  3. Wait for the zip file to be created. A file called “Livescribe.zip” will show up in your AppData folder
  4. Go to UW-Madison Box  and log in using your UW NetID and Password
  5. You can either drag and drop the Livescribe.zip file that you just created OR click “Upload” > “Files” and select the Livescribe.zip file that you just created
  6. Click “Open” to start the upload
  7. How long it takes will depend on your internet speed and how much data you have stored in Echo desktop

Note: Each time you perform this backup, you’ll want to create a new version of the previous file so that you don’t use up your Box storage. Click on the down arrow icon to the right of the previous zip file in Box and select “Upload New Version.” This will overwrite the zip file and create a tag that shows it is a new version (V2, V3, V4, etc.).

How do I backup my Echo Desktop data/files on a Mac

It is important to back up your Echo Desktop files in case your computer were to crash, get stolen, etc. Remember to back up frequently, as any notes you take in between backups could be lost.

Option #1: Back up your computer’s entire hard drive.

If you already back up your hard drive using an external hard drive or other backup source, that will include your Echo Desktop data. If you don’t already do this, it may be a good thing to start, as it will back up all the files on your computer, along with your Echo Desktop files.

Option #2: Back up the Livescribe data folder to a flash drive, CD/DVD, etc.

  1. Find the Livescribe data folder on your computer in the Finder. (~/Library/Application Support/Livescribe)  Note: The best way to find the Library folder is: Click “Go” on the top menu, then click “Computer”, then click “Macintosh HD”, and then you will see the “Library” folder.
  2. Next, copy the Livescribe folder to the backup storage device.

Option #3: Zip/compress the folder and upload it to Box.

Box is a storage web app that all UW-Madison students can use (up to 50 GB of storage) for free.  To back up to Box, the Livescribe data folder must be compressed into one file.

  1. Find the Livescribe data folder on your computer in the Finder. (~/Library/Application Support/Livescribe)  Note: The best way to find the Library folder is: Click “Go” on the top menu, then click “Computer”, then click “Macintosh HD”, and then you will see the “Library” folder.
  2. Right click on it and select “Compress ‘Livescribe’”.
  3. Wait for the file to compress.  A file called “Livescribe.zip” will show up on your Desktop.
  4. Go to UW-Madison Box  and log in using your UW NetID and Password
  5. You can either drag and drop the Livescribe.zip file that you just created OR click “Upload” > “Files” and select the Livescribe.zip file that you just created
  6. Click “Open” to start the upload
  7. How long it takes will depend on your internet speed and how much data you have stored in Echo desktop

Note: Each time you perform this backup, you’ll want to create a new version of the previous file so that you don’t use up your Box storage. Click on the down arrow icon to the right of the previous zip file in Box and select “Upload New Version.” This will overwrite the zip file and create a tag that shows it is a new version (V2, V3, V4, etc.).

Notetaking Apps

Glean and Notability are the two notetaking apps students use for notetaking accommodations. These notetaking apps allow students to take their own notes and build their notetaking skills. Some features include:  audio recording that syncs to your notes, importing lecture slides, and searching your notes.

Peer Notetaking

Peer notetaking accommodations for eligible students are requested and notes are downloaded through McBurney Connect.

All students with peer notetaking as an accommodation will need to complete the brief online Notetaking Accommodation Training. If you would like to schedule an in-person training with a Notetaker Coordinator instead, contact the McBurney Center front desk.

How do I find a notetaker?

  1. Generate (or revise) your class-specific Student Accommodation Letters in McBurney Connect.
  2. During the 1st week of class, you will need to Confirm Your Notetaking Request(s) before a notetaker will be assigned.
  3. You will receive an email from McBurney Connect once a notetaker has been assigned and when notes are available.
  4. We will notify you and the instructor if assistance is needed to recruit a notetaker for your class.

How do I download the notes?

For detailed instructions of how to download your notes, go to Viewing Your Notes. If you have further questions, please contact the Notetaking Coordinator.

How do I sign my notetaker’s invoice?

In order for the McBurney Center to process payment to your notetaker, you need to sign the electronic invoice near the end of the semester. For detailed instructions on where to find and how to sign your invoice go to Signing Your Invoice – Student.

McBurney Center Technology Drop-In Hours

McBurney staff meeting with student to troubleshoot notetaking software issue
Have questions about your accommodations that use technology/software?

We offer consulting with McBurney Connect, alternative formats, Kurzweil 3000, smartpens, Echo Desktop, and notetaking apps.

Where: Stop by the McBurney Center
When: (1/29/2024 – 5/6/2024)

  • Mondays: 10:00am – Noon

If you are unable to make drop-in hours, please make an appointment  by contacting the McBurney Center at 608-263-2741 (voice) or 608-225-7956 (text).

Instructor Resources

Instructor Portal

The “Instructor Portal” is a web-based application for instructors of record to review the accommodation requests (i.e. Student Accommodation Letters) from students in their classes.  It can be accessed from the McBurney Connect page by selecting the “Instructor Portal Login” button and logging in with their NetID.

More info is available in the Instructor Portal FAQ.

Instructor Guide to Student Accommodations

The Instructor Guide to Student Accommodations is a new, four topic resource for both new and current instructors (faculty, instructional staff, and TAs).  You can go through it start to finish or reference it as questions arise.

Instructor FAQ

Have questions?  Want to learn more about the McBurney Center and student processes?

Check out the Instructor FAQ

Sample Syllabus Statement

The following syllabus statement can be found the UW-Madison Guide site.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison supports the right of all enrolled students to a full and equal educational opportunity. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Wisconsin State Statute (36.12), and UW-Madison policy (UW-855) require the university to provide reasonable accommodations to students with disabilities to access and participate in its academic programs and educational services. Faculty and students share responsibility in the accommodation process. Students are expected to inform faculty of their need for instructional accommodations during the beginning of the semester, or as soon as possible after being approved for accommodations. Faculty will work either directly with the student or in coordination with the McBurney Center to provide reasonable instructional and course-related accommodations. Disability information, including instructional accommodations as part of a student’s educational record, is confidential and protected under FERPA. (See: McBurney Disability Resource Center)

Instructors are strongly encouraged to include this written statement in their syllabus and verbally reference it when presenting the course standards to their classes. In addition, instructors should add information regarding how they prefer students to contact them regarding accommodation requests (e.g., email, office appointment, etc.). Please note that communication via email may be more effective for some students whose disability impacts communication abilities (e.g. autism, anxiety).

More information about course syllabi can be found on the Office of the Provost’s Teaching and Learning website on the Course Syllabi page.

Peer Notetaking Accommodations

The Peer Notetaking Accommodation is now coordinated through McBurney Connect, including recruitment of notetakers and posting of notes for eligible students.

Occasionally the McBurney Center staff will contact instructors to assist in recruiting a notetaker. If a student is interesting in becoming a notetaker, please have them complete the very short notetaker application in McBurney Connect.

Many students are now using technology based notetaking accommodations instead of peer notetakers.