In today’s world, technology is advancing at an incredible pace. Automated tools promise efficiency and convenience in almost every aspect of our lives, including education. While these developments can be beneficial, it is important to pause and consider whether they meet the real needs of deaf students. When it comes to notetaking support, the human element remains essential, offering a level of accuracy, accessibility, and adaptability that technology alone cannot provide.
Options for Notetaking:
In-Person Notetakers
Some students prefer the presence of an in-person notetaker. This provides the opportunity for real-time interaction, where students can clarify points and access written notes during the session. Notes can be handwritten or typed, depending on the student’s preference, and this immediacy can support confidence and engagement in the classroom.
Remote Notetakers
Remote notetaking offers the flexibility of modern convenience. Lectures are recorded and securely shared with a notetaker, who produces clear, tailored notes within an agreed timeframe. These notes are then delivered electronically, giving the student reliable access to the content without the need for physical presence in the room.
Technology-Based Notetaking
Technology can also provide transcriptions of lectures using speech recognition software. While this may seem like an efficient solution, it often lacks the accuracy, nuance, and personalisation that deaf students need. Automated systems cannot replicate the thought process of a skilled notetaker who understands the flow of a course and the specific learning style of a student.
Important Considerations:
Overwhelm with Full Transcripts
A full transcript of a lecture may appear useful, but in reality it can be overwhelming. Students may be left to sift through pages of text, filled with grammatical errors, jargon, or irrelevant content. Instead of aiding learning, this can create confusion and stress.Lack of Customisation
Human notetakers can adapt their style to the students specific needs, producing summary notes, structured outlines, or near-verbatim detail depending on what the student finds most useful. Technology cannot easily replicate this level of personalisation, meaning students are left with a “one-size-fits-all” solution that may not meet their needs.Consistency and Context
One of the greatest strengths of human notetakers is their ability to build consistency over time. They remember previous lectures, understand the context of a course, and highlight key themes or deadlines that technology simply cannot. This ongoing awareness helps students maintain continuity in their studies and reinforces understanding.Plain English for Accessibility
For many deaf students, Plain English is essential in order to support clear comprehension. Human notetakers are able to restructure content into accessible language while retaining meaning. Automated systems, on the other hand, frequently misinterpret grammar, especially when translating speech influenced by sign language grammar. This makes technology far less reliable for accessibility.
Looking Ahead:
Technology will no doubt continue to improve, and in certain situations it can complement human support. But when it comes to ensuring that deaf students receive accurate, accessible, and useful notes, there is no substitute for the skill and understanding of a trained notetaker.
Choosing the right support is not just about convenience; it’s about giving students the best chance to learn effectively. By prioritising human notetaking, universities can ensure that students receive notes which are accurate, context-rich, and tailored to their needs, not just lines of text generated by a machine.
Human notetakers do more than just write: they listen, adapt, and ensure that learning is truly accessible. That’s why, even in a digital age, they remain an indispensable part of supporting deaf students in education.
