So Nerdy...Question About Recorders for Lecture

[Jacobian78]

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So I'm getting ready to buy stuff I need next year for classes, and I am thinking about buying a recorder for Biochem next year. I figure having the lectures on tape will help with the landslide of information. Just wondering if any of you had suggestions on what brand/model to go with? Preferably, I'd like to find one that isn't going to be insanely complicated to convert to files for an Ipod.

 

[Confused2626]

So I'm getting ready to buy stuff I need next year for classes, and I am thinking about buying a recorder for Biochem next year. I figure having the lectures on tape will help with the landslide of information. Just wondering if any of you had suggestions on what brand/model to go with? Preferably, I'd like to find one that isn't going to be insanely complicated to convert to files for an Ipod.

I've seen two people record lectures, I sort of understand it in a humanities class, but I don't think it will be that useful in a science or math class because diagrams are essential. Most professors I have post their lecture notes online anyway.

Take this with a grain of salt, I don't consider myself an auditory learner.

 

[Craigslist]

I disagree. Many of my Science professors speak of details that they don't/can't fit on powerpoint.

I would recommend it.

 

[hoot504]

I really think recorders are overrated. In my 2nd sem ochem course I would say half the class recorded the lecture. I never did and I consistently got the 1st or 2nd highest score on exams. Sitting down and reliving another 50 minute lecture just seems like a waste of time to me

 

[Rendar5]

lectures suck and are among the worst ways to learn anything. Why spend time relearning a lecture when you could spend that time learning in some other much more effective manner.

 

[binko]

It's a great idea. BUT check your univ. policy – some prohibit recording a class without the professor's consent (intellectual property, etc.) I have a prof this quarter who is really really against recording – he won't allow me to bring my laptop to class because of it, even though I have no desire to record him anyway.

 

[MilkmanAl]

I'd definitely bring a recorder to class. If things get boring, you can always bust out with some Hot Cross Buns action.

 

[pharm B]

My professors normally ask that we let them know we're recording them, but otherwise don't care.

I use the Sony ICD-P620.

I bought it for about $50 a year ago and I think it keeps anywhere from 60 to 250 hours of audio (depending on quality). It also has a USB port to allow transfer of the audio files (in mp3 format) to your computer.

 

[switcheroo]

My experience of biochem was that it wouldn't lend itself well to recording. Really, the course (at my uni, anyway) consisted solely of memorizing molecular structures and reaction pathways, neither of which would be significantly helped by recording lectures. My prof gave us his notes for the class, so I would just print them out, go to class, and then write in the margins anything he said that wasn't in the notes. So.... I would recommend instead that you save your money for all the upcoming expenses of applying to med!

 

[Jacobian78]

I should probably clear some things up. It's not that I'm curious about whether or not people think it's a good idea, because I know thats different for everyone. For me personally, I never thought recording lectures would help. In my final term of gen bio last year, all the lectures were put online and it surprisingly ended up being a huge study aid for me. The PI of the lab I work in teaches a sequence of the Biochem class, and in fact has already suggested that I pick up a recorder for next year cause he says he's seen it make a huge difference for students who use them.

So what I'm really interested in now is to know what brands people would suggest if anyone has thoughts on that. Thanks for the suggestions so far too.

Edit: Also it's not that it would entirely be for Biochem. I still have two years left of undergrad and I'd assume I'll still have other classes that will work well with recording.