Notetaking & Upload Tips for Notetakers

Uploading Notes to McBurney Connect

Notetakers will upload all of their notes (lecture, discussion and lab, if applicable) to McBurney Connect (Uploading Your Notes Training Video). Notes should be provided from the first day of class forward, unless otherwise specified. If you have further questions, contact the Notetaking Coordinator.

  • The maximum allowable file size is 10 MB per upload. (You will get an unspecified error message if you exceed 10 MB.)
  • Acceptable File Types.

Tips for Taking Notes

  • Decide which notetaking style (e.g., Cornell method, outlining, mapping, etc.), would be most effective for the course content.
  • Typed notes are the preferred method for most lectures.
  • For a clear scan when taking handwritten notes: only use the front side of the paper, do not write on the back and use a black or blue pen
  • Include course title, number and date of the notes in the top left corner of every page of notes.
  • Include the page number on the right corner of every page of notes.
  • Include notes on any assignments given or dates for upcoming exams, papers, or other evaluative material on the first or last page of notes.
  • If there were no notes for a particular class meeting, write the following along with the reason for no notes: “No notes for the class on 11/08/2017. Instructor dismissed class for library research.”
  • Include information on the board, from overheads, and PowerPoint presentations. Although the slides may seem complete, all additional lecture information and class discussion should be included.
  • Include any information the instructor indicates will be on the exam.
  • Include notes from videos or other media outlets that contain information for which students will be evaluated.
  • Listen for indicators during class such as: Summaries, Hypotheticals, Recurring Themes, Emphasis, Numbered Lists, Questions and Responses.

Converting Handwritten Paper Notes to PDF Files

Flatbed or Sheet Feed Scanning (Preferred)

  1. Scan on computer (list of Campus InfoLabs) or photo copier  (List of Libraries)
  2. Use 150 to 300 dpi as resolution
  3. Save or to hard drive
  4. Upload to McBurney Connect via any browser
  5. Back up to Box or Google Drive

iPhone or iPad

Use iOS Photos App to export to PDF (Detailed instructions for exporting iOS photos as PDF)

  1. Take photos
  2. In Photos, select multiple photos
  3. Use the Share button to Print
  4. In Print, use pinch to zoom on the preview thumbnail to convert to PDF
  5. Press the Share button that appears
  6. Press “Save to Files”
  7. Save to Phone, Box App, Google Drive App or iCloud
  8. Log into McBurney Connect from Safari and upload

Microsoft Office Lens App for iOS

  1. Take photos (high contrast background recommended for auto cropping & keystone correction)
  2. Save to PDF, OneDrive, or OneNote
  3. Log into McBurney Connect from Safari and upload

TurboScan App for iOS

  1. Take photos
  2. Edit the photos (to adjust for keystone, color)
  3. Save to Box App, Google Drive App or iCloud
  4. Log into McBurney Connect from Safari and upload

Android Phone or Tablet

Microsoft Office Lens App for Android

  1. Take photos (high contrast background recommended for auto cropping & keystone correction)
  2. Save to PDF, OneDrive, or OneNote
  3. Log into McBurney Connect from Chrome and upload

Google Drive App for Android

  1. Press “+” button to “Create new”  > “Scan”
  2. Take photo and then press the check-mark button to confirm or the undo button to retake
  3. Press the “+” button to keep adding pages
  4. Press the check-mark button when done
  5. Save to Google Drive
  6. Log into McBurney Connect from Chrome and upload

TurboScan App for Android

  1. Take photos
  2. Edit the photos (to adjust for keystone, color)
  3. Save to locally or to Google Drive App
  4. Log into McBurney Connect from Chrome and upload