In today’s classrooms, students are under more pressure than ever to absorb, process, and recall information quickly. Unfortunately, this often leads to a focus on taking notes rather than truly understanding the lesson being taught.
The good news?
Innovative tools are easing the burden of note-taking, allowing students to concentrate on learning, actively participating, and, most importantly, retaining more information.
Why notetaking can hold students back
While traditional note-taking can be beneficial for some learners, it can hinder others, especially students who may be neurodiverse or have learning differences. Some students even face the double challenge of learning new and difficult concepts while also overcoming a language barrier. For these students, the challenge of trying to jot down every word spoken in real time can be daunting and overwhelming.
Further to this, when your focus is split between writing and listening, you're not really fully absorbing what is being taught. That’s where some assistive technology shines: it helps bridge the gap between capturing information and engaging in active learning
So what's out there at the moment?
Jamworks
Rather than relying solely on manual notes, Jamworks automatically records, transcribes, and summarises lectures. Students can tag important moments, replay explanations, and access AI-generated summaries that highlight the key points.
Jamworks was designed with neurodivergent communities in mind, their accessible settings include:
- Seizure Safe Profile, which clears flashes and reduces colour;
- Vision Impaired Profile, which enhances website visuals;
- ADHD Friendly Profile, More focus and fewer distractions;
- Cognitive Disability Profile, which assists with reading and focusing;
- Keyboard Navigation (Motor) to use the website with the keyboard.
Notability
If you’re a visual or tactile learner, Notability is a fantastic digital notebook that blends handwriting, audio recording, and sketching all in one place. You can jot down your thoughts while simultaneously recording the lecture, and later, just tap any part of your notes to hear what was said at that exact moment.
This creates a lively, interactive record of your lessons. Whether you’re diving into Shakespeare or tackling math problems, Notability makes reviewing and revising feel intuitive and creative, ideal for those who think in colours, sounds, or shapes instead of just text.
Genio
Genio takes it up a notch with its AI-driven learning support. Acting like your own personal study buddy, it can summarise lectures, clarify tricky topics, and even whip up quizzes or flashcards tailored to your materials.
Instead of spending hours rewriting notes or hunting for key concepts, students can rely on Genio to transform raw information into easy-to-digest, customised study aids. The outcome? More time dedicated to truly understanding and remembering what’s important.
From taking notes to taking charge
These technologies don’t just simplify learning; they make it more inclusive. Students who find it hard to keep pace, process information differently, or simply just want to deepen their understanding now have the tools to do so.
This shift isn’t about replacing traditional study methods; it’s about empowering students to take control of their learning journey. By easing the pressure to write down every single word, learners can concentrate on asking questions, making connections, and truly grasping the material.
The future of classroom learning
As technology keeps advancing, the classroom experience is becoming more accessible, personalised, and focused on understanding rather than just memorising facts.
So maybe it’s time to set the pen down at least for a little while. With tools like Jamworks, Notability, and Genio, students can stop scribbling and start engaging in a more meaningful learning experience.