How to transcribe a lecture as it happens
Taking notes in a lecture forces a choice between writing and listening. A live transcript removes the choice: the words are captured, and your attention goes to understanding them. It also lets you ask about the part you missed without interrupting anyone.
Ask the lecturer first
Before anything technical: many universities and schools have rules about recording lectures, and a transcript is a recording in every way that matters. Ask the lecturer. Most say yes, especially when the reason is that you want to listen rather than scribble. Some have accessibility arrangements that already cover it.
Setting up the session
The lecture notes template is built for this. It tells the assistant it is listening to one speaker explaining a subject, so it pays attention to definitions, arguments and the structure of the talk rather than treating it as a conversation.
- Create a project for the course, so every lecture's session lands in the same place.
- Start a session from the lecture notes template a minute before the lecture begins.
- Sit near the front, or put the device where the lecturer's voice reaches it clearly. A room's echo hurts transcription more than distance does.
- Leave it running. End the session when the lecture ends.
Photograph the board into the session
Lectures happen on slides and whiteboards as much as out loud. You can add a photo or a screenshot to a session, and the assistant answers with it in view. A photo of the equation on the board, attached to the same session as the explanation, is worth more than either alone.
Ask about the part you missed
Your attention will drift at some point in an hour; everyone's does. Instead of leaning over to a neighbour, ask the assistant what the lecturer said about the second example, or to explain a term that was used without definition. It has the transcript; it can answer from it.
Treat the answers as a study aid rather than the lecture itself. When something will be on the exam, check it against the transcript and the course material.
On-device transcription
On iPhone and iPad the transcript can come from Apple's speech recognition running on the device instead of from OpenAI's model. On an Apple silicon Mac the app can run Whisper locally. Both keep the audio on the machine; the guide on private transcription explains the trade-offs.
Is it allowed to transcribe a lecture?
It depends on the institution. Many have rules about recording, and a transcript counts. Ask the lecturer before you start.
Can I add slides or photos of the board?
Yes. Photos and screenshots can be attached to a session, and the assistant answers with them in view.
Where are my lecture transcripts kept?
On the device, in the course's project. There is no cloud sync.
