After Training

 

The trainee and the sponsor (if there is one) will receive the trainee's Final Report by email a week or so after training is complete (as discussed in the previous Reports page).  If the trainee received a passing grade, the TypeWell classroom software can then be ordered.  (It can't be ordered earlier since TypeWell software is sold only for use by trained TypeWell transcribers.) 

Immediately after training is completed is the best time to provide a short period of guided practice time for the new transcriber, assign a mentor to the new transcriber, and put in place procedures to assure high-quality transcribing services will be provided to consumers.  Each of these is discussed below.

Ordering software

Once a transcriber completes the TypeWell training course and receives a passing grade on the Final Report, he or she is eligible to purchase TypeWell software, or to have the software purchased for his or her use.  It takes about 24 hours from the time payment is received to the time the software is available for installation and activation. 

To provide full communication access services, the transcriber and reader should use two separate computers, preferably linked wirelessly.  This 2-license set is called the Standard Duo.  For details about the Duo and other kinds of available TypeWell software licenses, and instructions for ordering, click Tech above, then click the Software subheading. 

Guided practice for new transcribers

Although a newly-trained transcriber could begin providing services immediately after completing the training course, we advise that a new transcriber be given time to practice transcribing in "real" classes or meetings for 2 or 3 days before beginning to provide services.  It is most ideal for a new transcriber to work with an experienced transcriber by teaming a class, or by discussing transcripts of classes done independently.  The Transcript Analysis Checklist and Goals/Strategies pages should be used to guide and focus the mentoring discussions.  Each new transcriber is given a master copy of these two learning tools at the end of the training course. 

Newly-trained transcribers will continue to hone their transcription skills for 4 to 6 weeks after training, while providing service in classes and meetings.  We advise that the new transcriber avoid practice transcribing for prolonged periods without having a reader actually using the transcript for communication access.  The responsibility of providing real-time access for another person builds solid transcribing skills, unlike the sometimes sloppy habits that can develop when "no one else is looking."  The best training is when the transcriber is providing real communication access for a real reader. 

Mentoring new transcribers

As mentioned above, an experienced transcriber makes an ideal mentor for a new transcriber.  We encourage that paid time be provided to both the new transcriber and the experienced transcriber for mentoring sessions.  These sessions should be frequent at first, and then continue on a regular monthly basis as the new transcriber becomes more experienced. 

If an experienced transcriber is not available to mentor the new transcriber, the site service coordinator should act as the mentor, guided by the Transcript Analysis Checklist and the Service Coordinator's Handbook.  The service coordinator should also provide the new transcriber with basic information about site policies and expectations before the new transcriber begins practicing in classes or meetings.  You'll read more details about the full role of the service coordinator, and guidelines for developing site policies in the next page (see link below). 

Quality assurance

The Final Report about each trainee's transcribing skills includes recommendations about the trainee's readiness to provide direct services to consumers.  Trainees who need more skill development before providing services are given supplemental practice suggestions. 

We strongly encourage that our recommendations about each trainee's readiness to provide services be followed.  New transcribers should not be put into assignments for which they are not ready.  Doing so would be a disservice to the students/readers, to the site's goals to provide appropriate services to students and others, and to the not-yet-ready service provider.  Only transcribers who have successfully mastered the skills needed to provide high-quality communication access services should transcribe in classes and meetings. 

  Good training and solid learning of the basic skills needed by a transcriber are only the first steps in providing high-quality speech-to-text services to consumers.  Each site and each service provider should regularly monitor the quantity and quality of information provided by trained transcribers to students and other readers. 

We provide several tools for objective measurement of a transcriber's skills.  These include the Self-Test of abbreviation use (a feature of the transcriber software), the Transcript Analysis Checklist, and the Goals and Strategies page.  You'll read more details about these tools in the Quality subsection of the Running the Service section of the web site.  We strongly encourage every site and every independent contractor to develop policies and procedures related to the smooth-running of their TypeWell support service program.  Those policies should be explicitly communicated in writing to the transcriber, instructors, students, parents (in pre-college settings) and all others involved in the service delivery.  You'll read more details about what should be covered in your site's policies, as well as links to written policies of several sites, in the Policies subsection of the Running the Service section of the web site. 

 

Next read about Running the Service once you have trained TypeWell transcribers.