Recording Lectures



Arrangements for the recording of lectures by students with additional needs

Under the Equality Act 2010, the University has a responsibility to make reasonable adjustments to meet the needs of students with disabilities.  The use of a recording device would be considered to be a reasonable adjustment for some students.

Who might need it?

  • Students with dexterity problems, including those with physical disabilities or dyspraxia
  • Students with specific learning difficulties who find it difficult to process information quickly or have poor short-term memory
  • Students with visual impairments
  • Student with mental health difficulties who might have difficulties with concentration and memory
  • Students with other conditions and who have been assessed as being at a disadvantage without recording information

Why is a recording required at all?

For some students the use of a recording device is an effective method for supporting their learning. 

The purpose of recording the lecture / seminar / workshop is to provide the student with a record of the lesson. In most instances students who record lectures should be treated no differently to students who make verbatim notes of what is being said.  

How do tutors know if students have this adjustment?

Any student that has the use of a recording device as an adjustment would have support arrangements in place.  The student would have previously met with a Disability Officer to agree what support they require to meet their individual needs.  The student would have signed a Support Arrangements Form, and an electronic copy would be distributed in the following way:

  • DDS sends a copy to the faculty Disability Co-ordinators
  • The Disability Co-ordinators forward this to the student’s Course Director
  • The Course Director should ensure the Support Arrangements Form is distributed to all tutors who teach the student.  All tutors should then be aware that the student will be recording the lessons, as it is an effective way for them to learn

The Support Arrangements Form is the University’s way of communicating to the tutors that the student has the use of a recording device as an adjustment.  If a tutor is aware that one of their students is recording the lectures and they have not received their Support Arrangements Form, they should ask the Course Director to forward them a copy.

But what about recording sensitive discussions?

Some lecturers and students are concerned about allowing students to make recordings of lessons if the subject-matter is of a personal or sensitive nature.

For some courses at the University, students are encouraged to talk openly about their own backgrounds and experiences, which can add considerable depth to the understanding of the course.  However, it can also be problematic because some individuals might be concerned about how this information is stored or used.  Here are some suggestions of how this can be overcome:

  • At the beginning of the course the tutor should explain what materials should and should not be recorded, and why.  Any discussions around this issue should be expressed in terms of learning differences rather than deficiencies. made in the context of learning differences, rather than to highlight any perceived deficiencies
  • Students should not normally be encouraged to disclose personal information in class unless it is integral to the learning experience.  Tutors will be able to manage these situations
  • If, on occasions, there are some sensitive discussions and tutors feel it is inappropriate for them to be recorded, the tutor should ask students to switch off their recording device andthose who are writing notes to stop.  This ensures that all students are treated equally, regardless of how they record information and does not disadvantage those students who need to use a recording device
  • If a student needs to record lectures, the recording must be used only for personal study; it should not be reproduced or passed on to anyone else other than for transcription purposes.
  • An understanding that the content of lectures remains the intellectual property of the University forms part of the learning agreement between students and the University and this should be accepted by all students
  • Although some tutors might request that the student informs them before each lecture / seminar that they are making a recording, it can cause some students considerable embarrassment to have to keep doing this each time.  The Support Arrangements Form is in place so students do not have to do this. If tutors follow the guidance above, this should not become problematic
  • Students are expected to behave in a professional manner and adhere to the University’s Code of Professional Conduct, which would include complying with the tutors instructions on how they record sensitive information. This would include not disclosing personal information to any third party, in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1988.  Failure to do so may be seen as contravening this Act.

Updated April 2011 (Please click here for a pdf version of this procedure)