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
- Select an active notebook
- Right click (on a Mac it will be under “File”)
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Find the Livescribe folder (C:\Users\\AppData\Local\Livescribe). Note: that your will be the login name you use for your computer.
- Right click on it and select “Send to…” > “Compressed (zipped) folder”
- Wait for the zip file to be created. A file called “Livescribe.zip” will show up in your AppData folder
- Go to UW-Madison Box and log in using your UW NetID and Password
- 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
- Click “Open” to start the upload
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Right click on it and select “Compress ‘Livescribe’”.
- Wait for the file to compress. A file called “Livescribe.zip” will show up on your Desktop.
- Go to UW-Madison Box and log in using your UW NetID and Password
- 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
- Click “Open” to start the upload
- 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
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 Peer Notetaker Coordinator instead, contact the McBurney Center front desk.
How do I find a notetaker?
- Generate (or revise) your class-specific Student Accommodation Letters in McBurney Connect.
- During the 1st week of class, you will need to Confirm Your Notetaking Request(s) before a notetaker will be assigned.
- You will receive an email from McBurney Connect once a notetaker has been assigned and when notes are available.
- 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 How to View your Notes. If you have further questions, please contact the Peer Notetaking Coordinator.
How do I verify I received notes from my notetaker?
In order for the McBurney Center to process payment to your notetaker, you need to sign the electronic assignment verification form near the end of the semester. For detailed instructions on where to find and how to sign your assignment verification go to How to Verify you Received Notes.
McBurney Center Technology Assistance & Consults
Have questions about your accommodations that use technology/software?
We offer assistance for all McBurney Center and accommodation related technology.
For assistance with McBurney Connect, alternative formats, and Kurzweil, schedule by:
- Emailing the Alt Formats Coordinator
- Contacting the McBurney Center at 608-263-2741 (voice) or 608-225-7956 (text) and ask for the Alt Formats Coordinator
For assistance with smartpens, Echo Desktop, and notetaking apps, schedule by:
- Emailing the Notetaking Technology Coordinator
- Contacting the McBurney Center at 608-263-2741 (voice) or 608-225-7956 (text) and ask for the Notetaking Technology Coordinator
(this service was previously called drop-in hours)