I just started a thread about what recorder to buy...
I'd never used one before, just pen and paper, and I'll still use pen and paper..
The reason I picked one up is this instructor I have is not lectuiring on the book, he's covering info that he thinks important, corollary to the book, and he's testing on both.
Having a recording will help me, if I have questions about my notes, and if I listen to it the 2 hours every weekday that I'm in the car, I'm thinking the immersion will really stick it in.
I just started my major courses in an accelerated format, it's information I'm actually interested in (finally) and do want to know, so I figured it can't hurt.