BST 2070
Transcription

Course Information

Course Description:

The objective of this course is to introduce students to machine transcription and provide them with the skills needed to transcribe a variety of documents and help them strengthen their grammar, punctuation, and proofreading skills. Understanding others with different accents and dialects will also be developed.

Course Objectives:

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate correct procedures for using transcribing software to transcribe from CDs using a computer.
    a) Manipulate software controls properly.
    b) Coordinate ear-finger movements while transcribing material.
    c) Keep word processor in constant motion.
    d) Find special instructions that have been recorded.
    e) Correctly open and close medium on the transcribing software.
  2. Demonstrate ability to transcribe mailable keyboarded copy.
    a) Proofread for format first; then proofread for content, spelling, and grammar.
    b) Edit format, line length, and margin settings from print preview.
    c) Proofread from monitor before printing.
  3. Demonstrate ability to supply proper punctuation and to spell correctly.
    a) Correct grammatical errors.
    b) Listen for pauses in the dictation as clues to punctuating transcribed sentences.
    c) Edit a letter properly using proofreaders' marks.
    d) Use punctuation reviews, spelling reviews, and word studies.
  4. Demonstrate ability to transcribe at or above minimum acceptable transcription speed.
    a) Listen to as much as you can remember at one time.
    b) Strive to eliminate pauses.
    c) Overlap listening and typing to yield smooth, continuous action.
  5. Demonstrate ability to use various reference materials and software tools.
    a) Use a dictionary for correct spellings and definitions.
    b) Refer to a thesaurus for synonyms.
    c) Consult a city directory for locating proper names, addresses, and telephone numbers.
    d) Check an office handbook for letter styles to be used and procedures to be followed.
Prerequisites and Corequisites:

For students to successfully complete this course, they should:

  1. Have completed at least one full semester of keyboarding using Microsoft Word 97 or higher.
  2. Be able to key accurately at 35 wpm or higher.
  3. Be competent in spelling, punctuation, and grammar.

It would also be helpful for students to have completed the RODP Orientation course covering basic WebCT skills for on-line courses.
Course Topics:

Module 1: Basic Machine Transcription (36 hours)

Module 2: Intermediate Machine Transcription (27 hours)

Module 3: Advanced Machine Transcription - Legal and Medical (45 hours)
Specific Course Requirements:
No special course requirements or knowledge of specific software is necessary for successful completion of this course.
Textbooks, Supplementary Materials, Hardware and Software Requirements
Required Textbook:
Please visit the RODP Virtual Bookstore for textbook information for this course. The Virtual Bookstore is available at http://rodp.bkstr.com.
Supplementary Materials:

Earbuds or Headphones to work with computer for transcription.

Hardware Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Software Requirements:
The minimum requirements can be found at http://www.rodp.org/students/hardware_software.htm.
Instructor Information
Please see the separate page inside the course to find instructor contact information as well as a statement of virtual office hours and other communication information.
Assessment and Grading
Testing Procedures:

There will be no outside testing. All testing will be done within WebCT.
Grading Procedure:

Your grades will be based on Skills (50%), Related Work (25%), and Participation (25%).

The Skills score is the average of the major comprehensive exams at the end of Modules 1 through 3.

The Related Work will account for 25% of your grade. This score is derived from homework assignments and quizzes for Modules 1 through 3.

The Participation grade is also 25% of your grade. It will be based on weekly email communications with the instructor received no later than 11:59pm each Saturday, meeting deadlines, netiquette, discusson board participation, and professionalism (maintaining composure and self-control, attitude, following instructions, mental alertness, attentiveness, observing, eager to learn, working independently and under pressure, using initiative, needing little supervision, quality of work). Once you have successfully finished all the requirements for the course, you will no longer have to send weekly emails, participate in discussion boards, etc.

Grading Scale:

93 - 100---A
85 - 92----B
77 - 84----C

A score of 77 or better must be achieved to receive credit for this course.
Assignments and Participation
Assignments and Projects:
A listing of exams, quizzes, and assignments arranged by module according to due dates is available on the Calendar.
Class Participation:

Students must participate in all interactive aspects of the course. Students are expected to communicate with the instructor as a learning resource; students must check the course discussion board where the instructor will post topics for students comments; students are expected to communicate with both the instructor and the other students on the discussion board concerning machine transcription and work ethic topics. To begin with students will reply/post an introduction to the class on the discussion board.

Students will email the instructor at the beginning of the course using the WebCT email to notify the instructor that they are in the system and have mastered this communication medium. After that, students will be expected to contact (check-in with) the instructor a minimum of once weekly via email.
Punctuality:
Students are permitted to work ahead of the timeline in this course. There are specific module completion dates posted on the Calendar and noted in the modules. Tests and assignments are required to be done by these dates in order not to incur participation penalties. However, please note that all tests and assignments are accepted up until the last day of class.
Course Ground Rules

The following are recommendations for students taking this class:

  • Learn how to navigate in WebCT.
  • Keep abreast of course announcements by viewing the course Calendar for exams and assignment deadlines.
  • Check the Discussion Board several times a week for course announcements, course information, and discussion topics.
  • Manage your time wisely. Give yourself enough time to complete assignments and properly prepare for exams.
  • Keep in contact with the instructor on a regular basis by weekly emails and discussion board.
  • Use the assigned college or university e-mail address as opposed to a personal email address for everything course related.
  • Address technical problems immediately.
  • Students must respect the rights of others at all times when communicating in chat, email, or discussions. Observe course netiquette at all times. 
  • Participation is key to doing well in this course. Be sure all discussion assignments are completed by the due date as posted on the course Calendar.
  • If you have a technical issue, address it at once to avoid falling behind in the class.
  • If you have questions, the discussion board is a great place to ask it. Remember that the only bad question is one not asked. So, if you are unsure of something, ask. If you prefer, you may also email the instructor.
Guidelines for Communications
Email:
  • Always include a subject line.
  • Remember without facial expressions some comments may be taken the wrong way. Be careful in wording your emails. Use of emoticons might be helpful in some cases.
  • Use standard fonts.
  • Do not send large attachments without permission.
  • Special formatting such as centering, audio messages, tables, html, etc. should be avoided unless necessary to complete an assignment or other communication.
  • Respect the privacy of other class members.
Discussion Groups:
  • Review the discussion threads thoroughly before entering the discussion. Be a lurker then a discussant.
  • Maintain threads by using the "Reply" button rather starting a new topic.
  • Do not make insulting or inflammatory statements to other members of the discussion group. Be respectful of other’s ideas.
  • Be patient and read the comments of other group members thoroughly before entering your remarks.
  • Be positive and constructive in group discussions.
  • Respond in a thoughtful and timely manner.
Web Resources:

Library

The Tennessee Virtual Library is available to all students enrolled in the Regents Degree Program. Links to library materials (such as electronic journals, databases, interlibrary loans, digital reserves, dictionaries, encyclopedias, maps, and librarian support) and Internet resources needed by learners to complete online assignments and as background reading must be included in all courses. 

Students With Disabilities

Qualified students with disabilities will be provided reasonable and necessary academic accommodations if determined eligible by the appropriate disability services staff at their home institution. Prior to granting disability accommodations in this course, the instructor must receive written verification of a student's eligibility for specific accommodations from the disability services staff at the home institution. It is the student's responsibility to initiate contact with their home institution's disability services staff and to follow the established procedures for having the accommodation notice sent to the instructor.

Syllabus Changes

The instructor reserves the right to make changes as necessary to this syllabus. If changes are necessitated during the term of the course, the instructor will immediately notify students of such changes by individual email communication and posting both notification and nature of change(s) on the course discussion board.

Technical Support

Telephone Support:
If you are having problems logging into your course,
timing out of your course, using your course web site tools, or other technical problems, please contact the Eduprise Help Desk by calling :

1-866-550-7637 (toll free)

or go to their website at:

http://help.rodp.org