Teaming

 

 

It is often necessary to have more than one service provider available during long and/or intense classes and meetings.  Teams usually include two transcribers, although "one transcriber + one interpreter" teams are sometimes used when needs so dictate. 

There are two main forms of teaming:  simultaneous, where both transcribers are in the room together for the whole class/meeting; and sequential, where one transcriber works alone the first half of the assignment, and a second transcriber takes his or her place for the second part of the class/meeting.  In either form of teaming, the transcribers can either share the same equipment, or use separate equipment.

Simultaneous Teaming

The simultaneous teaming of transcribers has two transcribers both in the class/meeting the whole time, but who spell each other from "the hot seat" every 10 - 15 minutes or so.  This model is similar to the one traditionally used by interpreter teams.

The positive aspects of simultaneous teaming are:  both transcribers have knowledge of the whole lecture, to help their understanding of content; breaks away from "the hot seat" increase the transcribers' accuracy over the whole time; breaks from typing reduce physical strain on the hands and body; having a second person to 'feed' missed points to the transcriber on the "hot seat" increases accuracy and completeness of the transcript.

Simultaneous Teaming: Same Equipment Mode

There are two modes of equipment use in simultaneous teaming:  the same equipment mode and the separate equipment mode.  In the same equipment mode, both transcribers use the same computer to transcribe.  They switch chairs at the change of transcriber.  Or, if each transcriber has his or her own steno-table, they carefully hand the transcriber computer back and forth between turns.  Each transcriber usually types his or her name at the start of their turn, to inform the reader a change has been made.

The positive aspects of this same equipment mode are:  only one transcriber computer needs to be set up; the whole transcript is complete in one file.

The negative aspects are: the movement to switch seats between turns can be disruptive to those around the transcribers, especially if the shared steno table or chair must be adjusted to accommodate the two people (e.g., when a tall person and a short person are teaming, the table height might have to be changed each time to optimize comfort for both.); one transcriber may have to use a computer with which he or she is not familiar. 

Simultaneous Teaming: Separate Equipment Mode

In the separate equipment mode, each transcriber has his or her own computer, usually linked wirelessly to the readers' computer(s).  When the time comes to switch from one transcriber to the other, the new transcriber just types his/her name to inform the reader of the change, and then picks up the transcribing work without changing seats. 

The reader's computer can be constantly linked to both transcribers, and both transcribers' computers can be linked to each other, if all three computers have wireless linking configured with the same SSID.  (Three-way linking can also be done with two wireless cards and one serial cable.  The student computer has to have both wireless and serial cable capabilities.  Contact us for details if you find yourself needing this kind of set up.) 

When 3-way linking is set up, the reader sees the full class transcript as one continuous incoming document, despite the fact the transcript is coming from two different transcriber computers. 

The positive aspects of the separate equipment mode are: each transcriber can use the computer with which he or she is familiar; there is no switching of chairs or computers which could disrupt the class; there is no need for readjustments to the steno table or chair position. 

The negative aspect of the separate equipment mode is: to provide notes after class to the student, either the transcript on the reader computer must be copied from the top TypeWell window on the reader's computer, pasted into the bottom window, and then saved; OR the two transcripts on each transcriber's computer (one on each computer's main screen) must be combined by one of the transcribers, in order to have all the class content in one file.  [This can be done by having one 'lead' transcriber copy the other transcriber's work from the incoming top window and paste it into the lead's 'master transcript in the bottom window'; or, by copying the full transcript from the top window on the reader machine, into the bottom window, and then saving the file.] 

Sequential Teaming

In the sequential teaming model, one transcriber works alone for the first half of class/meeting; then a second transcriber comes in and takes over, and the first transcriber leaves. 

The positive aspects of this model are: it can make providing full coverage of a class possible when personnel for simultaneous teaming are not available; there are reduced immediate costs when only one transcriber is 'on the clock' at a time (see below for the negative side of this issue). 

The negative aspects of sequential teaming are: the second transcriber does not have the benefit of the background info from the first part of class, making quick understanding of content more difficult; the physical switch of personnel can be disruptive to class; even half of a long, dense class can be mentally and physically demanding on one transcriber.  Accumulative effects of resulting stress can lead to sick leave or worse, which can be costly to the transcriber's health, and the overall service budget. 

Sequential Teaming: Same Equipment mode

This mode is similar to the same equipment mode described under simultaneous teaming above, with the same positive and negative aspects.  Additionally, there is the logistics problem involved in one person bringing the equipment to the class/meeting, and a different person taking it away (e.g., Whose equipment is used? How is it returned to the 'right' place?) 

Sequential Teaming: Separate Equipment mode

This mode is similar to the separate equipment mode described in the simultaneous teaming above, with the same positive and negative aspects.  In addition, the setup of equipment by the second transcriber can be disruptive if done while the class/meeting is going on. 

Teaming from the Consumer's Viewpoint

As with teaming of interpreters, some care must be taken to choose transcribers with similar styles to be on a team.  Deaf consumers report that vastly different styles and abilities between interpreters or transcribers on a team can be disconcerting to the reader, and make quick comprehension of read content difficult.  Input from deaf consumers regarding this issue is helpful in guiding scheduling decisions. 

Teaming Protocols

Different sites have different teaming protocols, such as how long a transcriber will type before switching off; how to signal that it's time for a change of transcriber; how the non-typing transcriber is suppose to feed info to the one on the "hot seat", etc.  The service coordinator should teach new transcribers the teaming protocols to be used at a particular site.  A meeting should be scheduled with all team members before the first teaming assignment, to discuss and practice the whole process, and thus avoid confusion later. 

 

Next read about responsibilities and ethics that come with the transcribing job.