Online court reporting education: Typical Pre-requisites and Curriculum

Court reporting is the process of transcribing the spoken word during court hearings, official proceedings and live events. The field itself is quiet steady in its growth, growing with the national average (according to the bureau of labor statistics) and the work itself is now supported with technology which reduces time and effort and improves results. This does not mean that the court reporter is becoming less important; on the contrary, court reporters trained in the latest transcription techniques and possessing the required knowledge base on a variety of subjects, are needed now more than ever as the judicial system and media industry (which requires a large amount of transcription work as well) grow larger.

Online court reporting schools are either accredited or non-accredited institutions which offer students the opportunity to receive the technical training and education necessary to pre-qualify them for certification. Education and training traditionally takes from two to two and a half years to complete, however, with a self paced study, especially through online court reporting schools which offer the full range of training courses online, this education, especially at the associate level, can be completed in a little over a year. Self paced study gives prospective students the time they need for their jobs and family and social lives while studying when it suits their busy schedules best. Most courses are blended i.e. they are offered in a combination of both traditional and online teaching classrooms and workshops.

Online / blended Teaching Methodology

Typically, lectures are pre-recorded and delivered in the format of PowerPoint presentations, webcasts, video clips etc while 'live' transcription exercises are conducted over the internet as well as in periodic sessions conducted in traditional classroom environments. The exact methodology differs from institution to institution and prospective students should look up several good online court reporting schools to find their 'best fit'.

There are several online courses available that offer everything from simple certification in transcription skills to Associates and Bachelor's degrees which cover comprehensive subject areas in paralegal studies. Although a full degree is generally not required, it is preferred as it especially prepares reporters for the courtroom by improving their knowledge base and proficiency.

Online Court reporting education: General Objectives

The primary objectives of online court reporting courses include training students in transcription techniques (the use of stenographs, short-hand, computer aided real-time transcription and the use of modern tools) as well as educating prospective reporters in subject matter that they are relevant to the courtroom e.g. terminology, legal issues and language etc (discussed below).

Text-books and Equipment generally required

Many institutions require that students provide their own stenograph machines however some institutions make such machines available for blended / classroom courses for internal testing and training.

There is generally an online knowledge resource available for students to access in order to read / save information related to courses (including reading and training material as well as referencing material and practice tests & exercises).

Equipment requirements for training

Stenograph machine (Stentura 400SRT, Stentura 200SRT or 400SRT, or other comparable real-time capable writing machine).

A good computer (Desktop or laptop) with the following accessories and software;

- The Windows XP or Vista operating system is usually required to run CAT software
- MP3 player / converter software as well as Office Tools (Word, PowerPoint and Adobe Raeder)
- CD-RW drive, USB ports and Head-Set
- Fast internet connection (Cable / DSL)

Subjects on which typical courses are offered and for which a variety of textbooks may be recommended;

- Medical terminology
- Legal terminology
- Court procedures and Judicial reporting
- Transcription
- Language and Grammar
- Stenography
- Short-hand
- Voice writing
- Broadcast Captioning
- CART and CAT Systems

References:

Wikipedia[dot]org
CourtReportingFAQs[dot]com
TextStreamInstitute[dot]com/realtime[dot]html
Education-Portal[dot]com/articles/Associate_of_Offical_Court_Reporter:_Degree_Overview[dot]html
NationalCourtReportingInstitute[dot]com/fees[dot]htm
nvra[dot]org
ncraonline[dot]org

Resource Area:

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.

Distance Learning Through Online Schools Programs

When you think about it, waking up in the morning, rushing off to someplace else and sitting one's posterior in a hard chair in a sterile, windowless classroom is not terribly conducive to learning â?? and is something that online schools programs address. Every year, the list of online schools grows longer as more and more students in all stages of life turn to online schools programs.

Where To Find Online Schools

Online schools started out as an extension of brick and mortar institutions. According to a principal at an academy in Oklahoma, online education is of great assistance to students in overcoming problems that might have prevented them from graduating altogether. But it goes beyond basic K-12 education these days. Online schools masters and even doctoral programs are available today through many major colleges and universities. The advantage of an online schools masters degree is that (A) you won't have to travel or relocate in order to complete coursework, and (B) you can usually complete online schools masters requirements at your own pace. There are typically deadlines for completing an online schools masters- level course, but you usually have up to twelve months to do so.

A list of online schools is usually easy to find by simply going to your preferred search engine and entering â??find online schools.â?Â  A search on one major search engine for example will bring up a list of online schools totaling 266 million results. Of course, not all of these will be online schools; many will be listings of both virtual academies as well as public schools and universities that offer degree programs on the World Wide Web.

The Online Schools Programs Advantage

In addition to not having to travel or relocate, completing a degree online can mean lower costs as well. Going to a traditional brick-and-mortar university involves the payment of many fees above and beyond tuition; there are associated student body (ASB) fees that pay for upkeep and maintenance of facilities, parking fees (for those with a vehicle on campus) and many other fees that do not apply to students taking courses over the Internet. This alone is an excellent reason to investigate the many Internet-based degree programs now available in everything from agronomy to zoology. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, some 90% of all jobs now require some post-secondary education. There's no better nor economical way to improve your chances in the job market than by getting a degree through one of the many online schools programs available on the World Wide Web.

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Free online schools are available from home in some states when the government has proof that a student is homeschooled; community colleges are also an option for taking online courses. Attend a free online school at home, only spending money to purchase textbooks, withadvice from a homeschool specialist in this free video on homeschooling. Expert: Linda Wooldridge Contact: www.ppea-homeschool.com Bio: Linda Wooldridge has been homeschooling since 1998, and she has been on the PPEA board for three years as the orientation coordinator for Pinellas County. Filmmaker: Christopher Rokosz

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

Resource Area:

DISCLAIMER: Above is a GENERAL OVERVIEW and may or may not reflect specific practices, courses and/or services associated with ANY ONE particular school(s) that is or is not advertised on SchoolsGalore.com.

Copyright 2009 - All rights reserved by Media Positive Communications, Inc.

Notice: Publishers are free to use this article on an ezine or website provided the article is reprinted in its entirety, including copyright and disclaimer, and ALL links remain intact and active.