Notetaking accommodations provide equitable access to course content using notetaking tools and technology. Examples include smart pens, notetaking apps, or peer notetaking as an accommodation. Eligible students work with their Access Consult and a Notetaking Specialist to determine the most appropriate notetaking accommodation for them.
We’re here to help.
Have questions about your accommodations that use technology or software? We offer assistance for all accommodation related technology provided through the McBurney Center, and our staff are trained to help.
Notetaking App Accommodations
Notetaking App Accommodations
OneNote, Genio (formerly Glean), and Notability are notetaking and productivity applications that are available to students as an accommodation. Students can record audio that syncs to their notes, import lecture slides, search notes, create to-do lists and keep notes organized. Students can receive specialized training through the McBurney Center on how to best use these notetaking apps for their needs.
While OneNote is already available to all enrolled UW students, Glean or Notability are provided at no cost through the McBurney Center.
Students with questions or who would like to receive additional training can contact the Notetaking Technology Coordinator.
Smart Pen Accommodations
Students can use a smartpen provided by the McBurney Center 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. The McBurney Center loans a smartpen and provides supplies such as notebooks and ink to students who are eligible for a smartpen as an accommodation.
If you have any questions or need additional training, you can contact the Notetaking Technology Coordinator.
Smart Pen Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
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How can I receive smartpen training?
Once you have checked out your smartpen from the McBurney Center, you will be sent online trainings for how to use your smartpen.
If you would like to schedule an in-person training, you can contact the McBurney Center front desk.
How do I check out a smartpen?
Email the Notetaking Technology 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 smartpen ink, notebooks, or other supplies?
To ensure your supplies are ready for pickup, email the Notetaking Technology Coordinator with the supplies you need. Your supplies will then be ready for pickup at the front desk, Monday – Friday, 8:00am to 4:30pm.
How do I download Echo Desktop or Livescribe+ Desktop?
For Echo pens, you can download Echo Desktop.
For Echo 2 pens, you can download Livescribe+.
Email the Notetaking Technology Coordinator for more information and instructions on downloading 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 or Livescribe+ Desktop data/files on Windows?
It is important to back up your Echo Desktop files in case your computer were to crash, get stolen, or otherwise lost. Remember to back up frequently so that any notes you take in between backups won’t 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 time to start, as it’ll 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\username\AppData\Local\Livescribe) Note: that “username” 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\username\AppData\Local\Livescribe). Note: that “username” 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 or Livescribe+ 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, or otherwise lost. Remember to back up frequently so that any notes you take in between backups won’t 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 time 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.).
Peer Notetaking Accommodations
All students with peer notetaking as an accommodation will need to complete the brief online Peer Notetaking Accommodation Step-By-Step Training below. If you would like to schedule an in-person training with a Peer Notetaker Coordinator instead, contact the McBurney Center front desk.
Peer Notetaking Quick Guide:
- Generate (or revise) your class-specific Student Accommodation Letters in McBurney Connect.
- During the first week of class, you will need to confirm your peer notetaking request(s) before a notetaker will be assigned.
- You will receive an email from McBurney Connect once a peer 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.
- At the end of each semester, you will need to rate your peer notetaker in order for the McBurney Center to process payment to them.
Peer Notetaking Accommodation Step-By-Step Training:
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Selecting your peer notetaking accommodations
Selecting peer notetaking as an accommodation is the same general process as selecting other accommodations. In short, you will need to select your accommodations and send your Student Accommodation Letters in McBurney Connect. For step-by-step instructions, consult the guide on Selecting Your Accommodations and Sending Student Accommodation Letters in McBurney Connect.
Confirming your peer notetaking requests
During the first week of class, you will need to confirm each request in McBurney Connect before a peer notetaker is assigned. If you do not confirm your request within 7 days of the first day of class, your request will be cancelled. If your peer notetaking request is canceled and you still need notes, email the Peer Notetaking Coordinator.
- Log in to McBurney Connect using your NetID and password.
- Under the heading ACCOMMODATIONS, click Notetaking Services.
- In the CONFIRMATION NEEDED tile, click VIEW REQUESTS.
- Click Confirm to confirm your request. You will need to confirm your request for each class.
Viewing your peer requested notes
All of your notes will be available in McBurney Connect. To view your notes:
- Log in to McBurney Connect using your NetID and password.
- Under the heading ACCOMMODATIONS, click Notetaking Services.
- In the AVAILABLE NOTES tile, click VIEW NOTES.
- Notes for all of your classes will appear in a list. Notes can be sorted by:
- Subject by clicking on the column heading Subject.
- Latest download by clicking on the column heading Latest Download.
- Date uploaded by clicking the column heading Uploaded On.
- Notes for all of your classes will appear in a list. Notes can be sorted by:
- Click Download next to the notes you want to view.
Rating your peer notetaker
- Log in to McBurney Connect using your NetID and password.
- Under the heading ACCOMMODATIONS, click Notetaking Services.
- Read the FEEDBACK AGREEMENT.
- Complete the FEEDBACK DETAIL form. You will need to complete a form for each course.
- Click SUBMIT FEEDBACK
- Click CONFIRM
Advanced Access to Presentation Slides
Students approved for Advanced Access to Presentation Slides should communicate with their instructors to arrange how far in advanced they will need presentation slides based on their disability-related impact and how the slides will be shared (for example, by Canvas, Box, email, or Google Drive). Instructors are not expected to create presentation slides for this accommodation if they do not typically use them in class.
Students can contact their Access Consultant with any questions or requests for additional training.