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Lecture Recordings


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For those of you guys who use lecture recordings to study, how do you guys use them exactly? I've recently started using lecture recordings for all my classes because sometimes I miss certain key points during class, and I always go back and listen through the entire 50 mins lecture to once again to take down additional notes as I listen, but I find it takes me roughly 2 hours just to get through a 50 mins lecture (I constantly have to pause, write down the key point, play, then pause again, etc). Does anyone find this too inefficient, or is this normal? This strategy worked very well for me last semester (ended up with 3.90 GPA), but I often sit and wonder as to whether or not this method is too ineffective and I am wasting a lot of time, and whether or not other individuals who employ this method are much quicker at going through recorded lectures.

 

In your honest opinion am I being too slow, do you guys pretty much do what I do, or are there quicker alterations to my own method that you guys use?

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Did you write down most of what was said during class thoroughly or was it more concise and just key, major points? I find a big reason it takes me a while to get through a single lecture recording is because I like to be thorough and write down as much as I can so that the large amounts of detail can help contribute to a better overall picture of the main topics being taught, however I often feel that perhaps this method is too inefficient and time consuming and that there are other methods out there that I am unaware of.

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I don't bother recording lectures and I still end up doing well. Even if I can't get down every teensy detail that is mentioned, I don't find things on the exam that weren't in my notes.

 

However, I do have a couple of courses this year where the profs post the recordings. In one of them (anatomy), I sometimes find it difficult to get stuff down... especially for sections that are taught by super nervous TAs. I NEVER rewatch entire lectures, though. During the live lecture, I write down the exact times where I missed stuff, and I relisten to these sections later. E.g. next to slide 11, I write: "9:54 ????"

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Just put a question mark or some kind of a sign where you think you missed something the prof said and then go back to the recording at that specific time and listen again. I almost never re-listen the whole lecture as I think it's definitely a waste of time (at least for me). I usually write down the important stuff on the spot. Being able to type fast also helps. So practice typing :D

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A friend of mine uses a Livescribe smartpen. It records as she writes notes, and to go back over a certain part of the recording, she just has to tap on that part of her notes and it plays from there, then she'll write more if she missed some the first time around. It also digitizes her notes, which is convenient. I'm planning to get one myself. She had the entire semester's lectures and notes on the 4GB pen (five courses.) It was great while studying for exams, since we studied together.

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At every university I've attended, classes can only be recorded by those who have authorization to do so, which usually involves some sort of accommodation due to some sort of disability. That said, I have had profs who either post recordings of their lectures, or video captures of their lectures, online.

 

In those cases, I never watch/listen to the entire lecture. I only go over key points or elements that I might have missed the first time around (I write a ??? in my notes next to where I'm not sure of something).

 

I can't imagine every writing down everything the prof says, even if I was able to write that fast (I take notes the "old fashioned" way, by hand). I've had no problems getting 90%+ in all my courses the past two years in this way. But other methods work well for other individuals. To me, it's far more worthwhile to summarize my notes, and review my notes, than to try to capture every last syllable a prof happens to utter in class.

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At every university I've attended, classes can only be recorded by those who have authorization to do so, which usually involves some sort of accommodation due to some sort of disability. That said, I have had profs who either post recordings of their lectures, or video captures of their lectures, online.

 

In those cases, I never watch/listen to the entire lecture. I only go over key points or elements that I might have missed the first time around (I write a ??? in my notes next to where I'm not sure of something).

 

I can't imagine every writing down everything the prof says, even if I was able to write that fast (I take notes the "old fashioned" way, by hand). I've had no problems getting 90%+ in all my courses the past two years in this way. But other methods work well for other individuals. To me, it's far more worthwhile to summarize my notes, and review my notes, than to try to capture every last syllable a prof happens to utter in class.

 

You are actually allowed to record for personal use as I understand it any lecture you attend. You are the second party in a conversation and thus granted to right to do so.

 

I am our school's podcast manager so ran into this a couple of times :)

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You are actually allowed to record for personal use as I understand it any lecture you attend. You are the second party in a conversation and thus granted to right to do so.

 

I am our school's podcast manager so ran into this a couple of times :)

 

Interesting, this is the policy quoted on all my course outlines:

 

"Recording of Materials

The electronic recording of classes is expressly forbidden without the prior consent of the instructor. This prohibition extends to all components of the course, including, but not limited to, lectures and seminars, whether conducted by the instructor or a seminar leader or demonstrator, or other designated person. When recordings are permitted, they are solely for the use of the authorized student and may not be reproduced, or transmitted to others, without the express written consent of the instructor."

 

In my experience, this consent is only given to those students who have a demonstrated need as documented by the Centre for Students with Disabilities. Some profs are more flexible, and will allow recordings for personal use, but others protect their intellectual property, including their lectures, quite strenuously. I even have some profs who refuse to post slides because there have been cases where those slides have ended up for sale on the internet.

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A friend of mine uses a Livescribe smartpen. It records as she writes notes, and to go back over a certain part of the recording, she just has to tap on that part of her notes and it plays from there, then she'll write more if she missed some the first time around. It also digitizes her notes, which is convenient. I'm planning to get one myself. She had the entire semester's lectures and notes on the 4GB pen (five courses.) It was great while studying for exams, since we studied together.

 

BIG thank you to Birdy for mentioning this product.

 

I just went and bought the Sky version of the pen and OH MY GOD this will be a lifesaver!

 

This is cooler than bubblegum!

 

Edit: this will also come in handy with some of my more difficult clients who, at times, backtrack on what they said in a meeting or claim (to their bosses they didnt say that). Now I can record it :D

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BIG thank you to Birdy for mentioning this product.

 

I just went and bought the Sky version of the pen and OH MY GOD this will be a lifesaver!

 

This is cooler than bubblegum!

 

Edit: this will also come in handy with some of my more difficult clients who, at times, backtrack on what they said in a meeting or claim (to their bosses they didnt say that). Now I can record it :D

 

You're welcome. I thought it was the coolest thing ever when she showed it to me, so I've been waiting for them to go on sale because I am cheap.

 

You have to use the paper that is specifically for them (unless you have a laser printer, then you can print your own. Didn't work well with an inkjet) but that is a small inconvenience for such an awesome tool.

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You're welcome. I thought it was the coolest thing ever when she showed it to me, so I've been waiting for them to go on sale because I am cheap.

 

You have to use the paper that is specifically for them (unless you have a laser printer, then you can print your own. Didn't work well with an inkjet) but that is a small inconvenience for such an awesome tool.

 

Yeah I bought a few pads to go with it. I love that they have post-it notes for them too and journals!

 

I may buy the journal ones for my workouts.

 

I'd say this is well worth the price even if it doesn't come on sale.

 

I have a wacom tablet as well and this may pretty much end up replacing it.

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You're welcome. I thought it was the coolest thing ever when she showed it to me, so I've been waiting for them to go on sale because I am cheap.

 

You have to use the paper that is specifically for them (unless you have a laser printer, then you can print your own. Didn't work well with an inkjet) but that is a small inconvenience for such an awesome tool.

 

Birdy is that you?

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