Courses from online court reporting schools and the tools of the trade

The judicial system and many other fields which require the transcription of the spoken word (word-for-word copy of a vocal conversation/ monologue/ argument) require professionally trained and certified verbatim reporters. The training required to become a court reporter enables a prospective professional to enter into several related fields which require the same or similar training and skills.

Online court reporting schools offer easily accessible courses in court reporting to professionals from any walk of life. These courses are easily completed at the leisure of the students themselves and from the comfort of their own home without having to rearrange their own work and personal life schedules.

Court reporting courses and training

Online and blended distance learning programs train prospective court and verbatim reporters for entry level positions in various fields. Typically both online and traditional court reporting schools require students to put in at least 33 months of study, and a completion can typically take anywhere from between 3 to 6 years.

Most states in the US also require that court reporters practicing in the judicial system take on continued education periodically as well as gain certification as a notary public.

The following is a list of courses* that students are required to complete in order to complete pre qualification and apply for a license. These are typically part of the programs at associate or bachelors level (or post-graduate training level) which are offered by online court reporting schools and in traditional campus based/ blended environments;

- Dictation Speed building
- Computer Motorized Shorthand
- Foundations of Language and Writing
- Grammar and Punctuation
- Legal Terminology
- Business Basics
- Human Relations
- Courtroom Transcript Preparation
- Medical Dictation
- Vocabulary and Usage

Modern Transcription systems in use

Videotaping, Stenotype and CAT (computer aided real-time transcription)

A qualified court reporter must be able to transcribe at least 225-250 words per minute. Typing these on a regular keyboard with any level of accuracy is impossible. The following aides to transcription are currently used in the courtroom environment as well as other professions and prospective professionals are extensively taught and trained in their use;

How is videotaping used?

Tapes of proceedings/meetings etc are simply made using digital voice recorders and transcribed at a later time in many parts of the world today.

What is a Stenotype?

A stenotype machine is similar to a type writer except that it has fewer keys. The system is based upon keys which represent syllables; the keys are pressed simultaneously in order to spell out words and phrases. Modern machines are computerized with microprocessors, LCD screens and memory (to store a day’s work) along with sensitivity adjusted keys (to manage multiple options). These machines incorporate user defined dictionaries which are customized individually. Court reporting schools online provide comprehensive training on many types of stenotype machines in use today over the internet and in blended classroom environments.

What is a Computer Aided Transcription (CAT) System?

A CAT system is a computer based software system which retrieves original text from a steno-typed transcript. These systems use various algorithms to recognize patterns and reconstruct text (with some post-editing required afterwards in order to correct grammar). Some systems are predictive typing systems which allow for entire words or phrases to be types with a key-stroke or two on a computer.

References:

http://www.nvra.org/
http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online-education-guide/criminal-justice/court-reporting-major.htm
WIkipedia

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