Assistive Technology Box
Scheme
Recording Tools
Introduction
A good deal of teaching and learning involves recording of information, ideas or responses. For
some learners recording information in an efficient and organised way can prove more
challenging than understanding the information. Learners with poor literacy skills, vision problems
or motor difficulties may find the traditional pen and paper approach to recording creates barriers
and difficulties. For these learners alternative ways of recording information can be extremely
useful, but alternative recording methods can also have much wider benefits, for example many
teaching situations – fieldwork, practicals, debates etc - are only inadequately captured by
traditional notetaking.
A good recording tool will allow the learner some or all of the following:
Ease of use – the learner needs to concentrate on content not on capture
Reliability – this may relate to battery life, quality of recording (eg sound or video) and
robustness of the hardware.
Storage capacity – how much information can be stored on the device.
Searchability - the ability to easily find and retrieve particular bits of information.
Transferability - the ability to incorporate the records into the required final format (eg a
write up or report)
Types of tools
Recording tools include voice recording, image recording, video recording and alternative text
recording (see separate guide on Write-assist tools). Many of these tools are available at a wide
range of price points and some are almost ubiquitous technologies so it is relatively easy to find
something to suit an individual learner’s need or a college’s budget. The main types of recording
tools are outlined below.
Voice recording – this can range from simple cassette recorders/Dictaphones, recordable
mini-disc players, MP3 players with voice recording or PDAs with voice recorders. In all
cases the finished records may need later transcription into text – for example fieldwork
records need to be turned into tabular or graphical data. In some cases – for example
records of interviews – the raw information may be loaded directly onto a web page or into
a presentation. In this case, digital files (from digital voice recorders, PDAs etc) can be
incorporated easily and directly whereas analogue recordings (cassette tape) need either
transcription or transfer into digital format. Sound files may not be accessible to deaf
learners who may benefit more from traditional recording with a pen and paper.
Video recording – this allows the capture of both imagery and narrative. If video clips are
to be used directly in a VLE or Intranet consider whether to purchase a cheaper tape
based system (which requires conversion to digital format) or a more expensive digital
format (eg MPEG4 or AVI) which requires no conversion. Many digital still cameras take
short videos in digital format. Video recordings are highly accessible for most learners but
the combination of sound and image may not be accessible to some disabled learners.
Screen recording - learners working with software packages may find the use of screen
recorder software very helpful as a way to collect evidence of what they can do.
Assistive Technology Box
Scheme
Digital still cameras – these can be an excellent way of recording scenes, processes or
workshop settings. In most cases images transfer very easily to a web page, presentation
etc.
Alternative text entry – learners working with PDAs may find systems like Dasher
(http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/ ) very effective for quick and accurate
notetaking.
Sample software / hardware and comments
At the top end of the market digital voice recorders give increased useability over tape recorders
because technology allows faster and easier searching, transfer and backup…. but this additional
functionality is likely to be reflected in the price.
Video cameras range from top consumer models which provide high quality, high storage
and rich functionality down to very simple models (eg Digital Blue) with limited (but easy to
use) functionality.
Screen recorders for capturing on-screen activities are available at a range of price points.
Viewlet Builder is available cheaply through the EduServe CHEST agreement.
Digital cameras are increasingly cheap and widespread, even built into mobile phones
and some PDAs.