Lectern for Mac

Take a seat.
Be here.

Keep your attention in class. Lectern keeps the lecture.

Download for macOS

Lectern · BIO 101

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Overview · BIO 101

How memory forms

BIO 101 · Lecture 4 · 10:00 AM · Encoding, retrieval, spacing

  • Encoding: attention helps information enter memory.
  • Retrieval practice: recall before you re-read.
  • Spacing: short returns beat one long night.

Static Overview preview.

Mac app demo, adapted for this screen.

01 / 07 · Before class

See the day ahead

Your first class starts in a few minutes. Your schedule, readings, and deadlines are already here.

How it works

One lecture, ready to revisit.

A morning class, start to finish. Scroll and the laptop follows each step.

01 / 07 · Before class

See the day ahead

Your first class starts in a few minutes. Your schedule, readings, and deadlines are already here.

02 / 07 · Record

Keep what was said

The professor starts talking. Start a sample recording and stay with the discussion.

03 / 07 · Review

Read it back

You remember the idea, but not the exact words. Find them in the transcript.

04 / 07 · Notes

Keep the outline

Class is over. Turn the discussion into an outline you can come back to, in English or Hebrew.

05 / 07 · Cards

Remember it

Tomorrow, try to recall it before you look. Reveal an answer, then move to the next card.

06 / 07 · Quiz

Check yourself

Did it stick? Answer a few questions and see why each answer is right.

07 / 07 · Return

Bring it back

The lecture stays in your library. Preview a Google Docs export, or download the sample cards.

AFTER THE LECTURELectern, on your Mac

Stay with the idea.
We'll keep the details.

A place for the lectures you record, the notes you return to, and the questions you still want to ask.

01 / Your semester

Everything in
its right place.

Give each course a home. Keep recordings and study materials together, so last week's lecture is right where you left it.

Lectern's Mac app showing courses, lecture recordings, and the library overviewEnlarge image +
The actual Lectern app. Your courses, at a glance.Built for macOS
01.1

A course for every subject.

Organize lectures by course and academic term. Keep a separate home for shiurim, too.

01.2

Connected when you need it.

Connect Canvas for your semester details, or manage your courses directly in Lectern.

01.3

Keep up with your learning.

Follow YU Torah subscriptions and bring new shiurim into your library.

02 / Your lecture

Find the thread.
Follow it further.

Move from what was said to what you want to remember. Your transcript and notes stay with the recording.

Inside Lectern ↙

Notes in your own outline style.

Turn a lecture into organized notes, including mixed English–Hebrew shiurim. Review the details against the original recording.

A place for the follow-up.

Open AI Chat to work through questions with your course materials. Choose the AI tools you want to use.

03 / Your next study session

Close the notes.
See what stays.

Make flashcards from the lecture, then take them into Anki. Send notes to Google Docs when you're ready to keep working.

Flashcards generated from a microbiology lecture, with question and answer fields and Anki exportEnlarge image +

Your lecture is the starting point. Keep studying in the tools you already use.

Download sample Anki cards ↓

The lecture, continued

One place to
come back to.

A short look inside Lectern.
Real app screens. From your library to your next study session.

Choose a lecture → Make study materials → Review and edit 32 seconds · No audio

Your library, your choices

At home on your Mac.

Your lecture library lives locally. You choose your transcription and AI tools, and which services to connect. Cloud features send the content needed for the task to your selected provider.

How your data is handled ↗

Before you take a seat

A few
good questions.

The installation guide
01What do I need to run Lectern?

An Apple silicon Mac running macOS 26 or later. The installation guide walks you through recording permissions and setting up your preferred transcription and AI tools.

02Can I record an online lecture?

Yes. Record your microphone or capture system audio from apps such as Zoom and your browser. macOS will ask you to grant recording permission.

03Does it work for English–Hebrew shiurim?

Yes. Lectern supports English lectures and mixed English–Hebrew shiurim, with notes shaped for each. Review generated text against the recording, especially names and source references.

04Do I need Canvas or Google Docs?

No. Both are optional. You can organize your courses and keep your lecture library in Lectern without connecting either service.

05Is Lectern free?

Lectern is free and open source. The transcription and AI providers you configure may have their own charges or subscription requirements.

For the next thing you'll learn.

Bring your
whole attention.

We'll keep the lecture.

Download for Mac macOS 26+ · Apple siliconFirst time here? Start with the installation guide.
Free to use. Open source. Yours to explore.Find us on GitHub