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ODE

Note taking accommodations

Students who experience barriers to capturing lecture content may qualify for note taking accommodations. These accommodations provide supplemental information to fill gaps in a student’s own notes. They are meant to support learning and not replace class attendance.

Available note taking support options:  

Genio note taking software
Students approved for note taking accommodations can use Genio. Authorization from ODE is required. Contact your access consultant to get started.

Other note taking apps

Below are examples of note taking apps for students to use at their discretion. Note that some apps are free, while subscriptions are fee-based.


OneNote is included in Microsoft Office 365. The 91次元 provides Microsoft Office 365 to currently enrolled UM students. 


Compatible with Mac and iOS.

Note takers

If technology does not provide effective solutions, ODE will provide support to students approved for note taking accommodations. A note taker is a student in the class who volunteers to share notes.

How to obtain a note taker

There are three ways for students to obtain a note taker: 

  1. Student self arrangement: You may ask a classmate to share notes with you. 

  2. Faculty assistance: Faculty may have assigned student note takers in their classes. Ask your instructor to connect you with the note taker.

  3. ODE assistance: To request ODE assistance with finding a note taker, email ode.notes@umontana.edu and include the course name(s), your name, and ID in your email. Then, ODE will reach out to students currently enrolled in your course to recruit a peer note taker on your behalf. Once a note taker is identified, ODE will notify you via email. This email will include instructions on how to access shared notes through the ODE portal.

Optional recognition for note takers

At the end of the semester, ODE offers a monetary recognition for volunteer note taking:

  • $50 for one course

  • $100 for two or more courses

Amounts are prorated based on the portion of the semester notes were provided.

If the note takers choose to receive this recognition, they must submit HR paperwork at the beginning of the semester.

Accessing shared notes through ODE Portal

Students approved for note taking accommodations by ODE can access shared notes through the ODE portal, Accommodate, once a note taker has been assigned by ODE.

If ODE assigns a note taker

You will automatically be granted access to shared notes via the portal.

If you or your professor identify a note taker

If you or your professor identify a note taker independently and would like to use the portal to access shared notes, please email ode.notes@umontana.edu to request account activation.

In your email, include the following details:

  • Your full name
  • Your student ID number
  • Your note taker’s full name and student ID
  • The course name and section

Notify ODE: Change or issues with your note taker

Please notify ODE by email if:

  • You no longer need a note taker, or 
  • The notes you are receiving are consistently unusable or ineffective. 

Email ode.notes@umontana.edu.