What is Glean?
Glean is an application that assists with note-taking by allowing you to record audio of a class, mark important places in the recording, and return later to review pieces of the class or add notes.
Instead of struggling to take comprehensive notes during the lecture, you can pay closer attention in class and still have the recording to review and take notes on later.
While recording, you can add markers so that you know where to find important pieces of information, to-do items, or topics that you may want to review later. After the class is over, you can return to the recording to make notes and review topics.
How do I get access to Glean?
We currently have a limited number of Glean licenses. If you are registered with the Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) and require note taking accommodations, email oar@bucknell.edu to ask about getting a Glean license to download the application (desktop and mobile).
If you are not registered, but have a disability that impacts your ability to take notes in class, reach out to oar@bucknell.edu to talk about your options.
Setting up Glean
When you are given access to Glean, you will receive an email to your Bucknell email address with the subject, "Invitation to Glean" (or something similar). Click on the link or button in the email that says, "Start using Glean."
From there, you can create an account or sign in using your Google account, which is attached to your Bucknell username and password.
Once logged in, you will see the Glean home page, where you can start making recordings and taking notes.
How do I create a recording of my class?
Individual recordings are called "Events" in Glean. To create an Event, start from the Glean home page:
- Click on the "New Event" button at the top of the page. You will be taken to a blank Event screen.
- Add a name at the top of the page by clicking on the text, "Add Event name." This will help you remember what this is a recording of.
- When you are ready to start recording, click on the red dot at the top left of the screen.
- From the drop-down menu, choose where you will be recording
- Microphone = In-person class (this will record using your device's built-in microphone.)
- Screen Audio = Zoom class or video recording (this will record whatever is playing on your device. You can choose a single window or your entire screen.)
- Screen Audio & Mic = A combination of in-person and sound from your device, such as a hybrid class (this will record both what's playing on your device and also what the microphone in your device picks up in the room).
- When you start the recording, you will see an animation to the left of the screen showing the audio that is being recorded. Make sure that there is some variation in the line (like sound waves) to show that it is recording something.
- During the recording you can:
- Pause the recording using the pause button at the top left of the screen.
- Add reminders like "Important," "Review," or "To-Do" to mark a place in the recording to return to later.
- Type and add notes to the recording as you go.
-
- When you want to stop the recording, click on the square stop button at the top left of the screen.
Learn more about how to record an event:
How do I use Glean with existing recordings?
Instead of recording your own audio, you can also import existing audio for note-taking.
- Create a new event.
- Instead of clicking on the red button to start recording, click on the three dots in the top right corner of the screen.
- From that menu, choose "Import Audio" and choose your audio file to import.
Note: You can only upload .mp3 and .wav audio files. If you need help converting your files, email the Digital Pedagogy and Scholarship department at dps@bucknell.edu.
Read more about importing audio files in Glean's article, "Audio Import."
What's the difference between a collection and an event?
An "Event" is a single recording, typically one class session or one video.
A "Collection" is a group of those recordings. You can make collections for any group of your events (recordings), like "Unit 2" to hold all of the lessons from Unit 2, or "Biology 101" to hold all of your recordings from that course. Collections are used to organize your events.
Learn more about collections and how to create them in Glean's article, "Get Organized with Collections."
How do I use the mobile app?
You can use the mobile app for Glean to take quick recordings and mark important places as you go. This is a good option if you prefer to take hand-written notes, but would still like to use Glean to record the lecture for additional note-taking.
You can download the free Glean app from the Apple App Store, Google Play store, or any other app finder. Log in to the app using your Bucknell account information.
Once logged in, you will see a list of all of your events and collections. To create a new event:
- Click on the purple "New Event" button at the bottom of the screen.
- Type a name for your recording in the text box.
- Click the red "Start Recording" button to begin recording audio.
- Note: you will need to give the Glean app permission to access your microphone to record audio. If this is not set up, your phone should ask you if you want to give permission to the app before starting the recording.
- Once your recording has started, the heading color will change to red, and there will be a bar at the top that moves when there is audio picked up by the microphone.
- To add a marker to the recording, tap one of the buttons at the bottom for "Heading," "Important," or "Review." You can add text if you want to (you don't have to add any text), and then tap the big button with the paper airplane icon to submit the marker.
You can return to this recording on your phone or using a computer to add notes and review materials.
To learn more about using the Glean app, check out these articles:
Do I need to notify my Professor?
Yes, your professor needs to be aware that you are recording them in class for note-taking purposes.
If you are using Glean as a note-taking accommodation, you will be sent an audio recording agreement that you need to present and discuss with each faculty member of each class in which you intend on using Glean. The faculty member will keep this agreement.
If your professor has questions or concerns about giving permission to be recorded in Glean for your note-taking, please contact OAR at oar@bucknell.edu to talk about your options. In accordance with Subpart E of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, you are allowed to record class lectures as a reasonable accommodation.
As a professor, can I decline to be recorded by my student using Glean?
In accordance with Subpart E of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, a student with a qualifying disability which adversely affects their ability to take or read notes is permitted to record class lectures as a reasonable academic accommodation.
If the student is using Glean as an academic accommodation, they will present you with an audio recording agreement and you can discuss their use of the tool at that time. The faculty member should keep this agreement for their records.
The recording agreement states that:
- Recordings are for the sole use of the student and should not be shared.
- Recordings should be destroyed after they have fulfilled their purpose.
- Recording in class should not disrupt the instructor or other students.
- Ownership of the information in the recording stays with the lecturer, faculty member, University, and/or fellow students as appropriate.
For more details, please see the full audio recording agreement. For the privacy of the student, please do not draw attention to the reason for the recording.
For any questions or concerns about being recorded for note-taking accommodations, contact the Office of Accessibility Resources at oar@bucknell.edu.
How do I get help using Glean?
If you need help designing study strategies, setting up Glean, or are having any problems using Glean, contact the OAR at oar@bucknell.edu.
For general help using Glean, check out these help articles: