Overcoming obstacles and finding confidence

This case study takes a different approach than usual. Instead of a written interview, we're sharing highlights from an audio recording of a conversation between Tinu Collins, a final-year student at Liverpool Hope University, and Helena Harrison, Glean's Training and Account Manager. Tinu speaks candidly about overcoming adversity and how assistive technology has been crucial to her academic success.

Tinu's journey back to higher education was far from straightforward. After a period away from academia due to health issues, she returned to pursue a combined honours degree in Christian Theology and Psychology. However, the challenges she faced, including chronic pain and sleep deprivation, persisted and made traditional note-taking a significant obstacle.

"One of the issues I've had throughout studying is writing too much," Tinu explains. "I would just overwrite to the point where it was excessive... I was writing things that weren't necessary."

The Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA) recommended Glean, and it quickly became Tinu's key to unlocking her academic potential. With Glean, lectures were no longer a frantic race to capture every word. Instead, Tinu could focus on engaging with the material, knowing that the audio was being recorded and transcribed.

"Glean has helped me to really improve in the area of note-taking," she says. "After the audio is transcribed, I'm able to skim through it and look at the main points, and even be able to copy and paste and not have to... keep everything that's being said."

Tinu's use of Glean extends beyond the classroom. She utilises the software to record sermons, talks, and Bible studies, freeing her to engage with the content in a way that suits her learning style.

"[Glean] is such a helpful tool," Tinu shares. "Sometimes I'm also doing Bible studies and stuff, and I just feel that it's really, really great to use and to manage things in a place that's secure and safe and also easily accessible."

The ability to listen back to recordings while reading the highlighted transcript has been particularly valuable for Tinu. This multi-sensory approach reinforces her understanding and helps her connect with the material on a deeper level.

"I love when you go over the actual transcript, like it speaks as well," she says. "It's a lot more understandable when you're hearing it spoken back... rather than just reading them alone."

Tinu seamlessly integrates Glean with other assistive technologies, such as mind mapping software. This allows her to further condense and organise information, making it easier to recall and apply to essays and exams.

"Sometimes a lot of text can be overwhelming to the mind," she acknowledges. "With Glean, I'm able to pick out the main parts and be able to concise it even more."

Tinu's story is a testament to the power of assistive technology to transform the learning experience. With Glean, she has found a way to overcome challenges, engage with her studies on her own terms, and confidently pursue her academic goals.

Hear from Tinu directly: