Digital recorders generally provide higher quality lecture recordings that cell phones or older tape recorders. When selecting a digital recorder, DSPS recommends considering the following features:

• Important Features

• Noise cancellation (removes background noise and the 'hiss' common with older tape recorders)

• Voice-activated recording (records only when there is sound which reduces the recording size)

• Variable speed playback (slow down important portions or quickly move through less important portions)

• Folders (separately store recordings from each of your classes)

• Indexing (bookmark important portions of the recording for quick access)

• A-B repeat (specify portions of a recording you want to play back repeatedly--useful for memorization)

• Headphone jack (allows private playback in public spaces such as libraries)

• Helpful Features

• USB connectivity (transfer recordings to your computer)

• Long battery life (100+ hours) or support for rechargeable batteries

• Lots of storage space (4+GB) or support for additional storage (e.g. micro SD slot)

• Calendar search (allows you to locate recordings by browsing a visual calendar)

• Compatibility with speech recognition tools (allows you to convert voice recordings into text documents)

• Kurzweil Education provides a variety of technology solutions that support student learning including:

• Kurzweil 3000, a full-featured program that supports, reading, writing, and organizing information

• Kurzweil 3000/firefly, a limited-feature version of Kurzweil that runs in a web browser (or as an app for iOS devices) and offers basic highlighting and text-to-speech support

• Kurzweil 1000 a full-featured program that supports reading and writing for students with low vision or who are blind

• TextAloud (Windows only), a powerful, easy-to-use commercial tool for converting text into audio files

• Balabolka (Windows only), a free, easy-to-use tool for converting text into audio files

• Inspiration (Windows/Mac), a full-featured, commercial mind-mapping tool used by many colleges and universities

• Blumind (Windows only), a free mind-mapping tool with a more limited range of features

• Freeplane (Windows/Mac), another free mind-mapping tool with many features but a somewhat more complex user interface 

• Nuance provides powerful speech recognition software that allows students to work around common writing issues that occur with learning disabilities:

• Dragon NaturallySpeaking (Windows)

• Higher Education for Disabled Students

• College Resources for Disabled Students

• Resources for Students with ADHD

• Careers & Degrees in Healthcare: A Guide for Students with Disabilities

• Resources and Support for College Students with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, or Dyscalculia

• Scholarships & Resources for Students with Visual Disabilities​