Math Mode can be a challenge for many transcribers, especially when juggling the fast-paced demands of live transcription. While capturing as much of the spoken lecture as possible is essential, presenting the written math accurately is equally crucial for students who rely on your transcriptions. If you’ve ever struggled with Math Mode or avoided STEM classes because of it, you’re not alone. Here’s how our Math Mode Basics course can help you.

[On Board] is your most-used PAL entry.

You want to use Math Mode. You know you should use Math Mode. You’ve looked at the math/science tutorial that is built into the TypeWell software, and it seems pretty straightforward: Caps Lock to toggle on, and Caps Lock to toggle off. How hard can it be?

Turns out, it’s harder than you think! Remembering to toggle in and out of Math Mode can be so time-consuming that it distracts you from doing your job. As a result, you might give up on transcribing in the correct format and just focus on capturing as much of the lecture as possible. 

Students can always find formulas on the board, can’t they? Actually, no. Students who have their eyes on your transcript might find it pretty challenging to watch the board at the same time. Providing accurate and complete transcriptions, including mathematical content, is essential for their understanding.

If this sounds like you, you’re not alone. Over half of transcribers who took our Math Mode Basics course told us that developing muscle memory around the Caps Lock key was the most valuable part of the first few lessons. We give you plenty of time to drill this simple but critical movement, and there’s no limit to the time you take or the number of tries you need. You can keep practicing until you feel confident enough to move on.

You’re tired of “passing” on STEM classes.

You’re comfortable with the English lecture content in science and math courses, but typing in Math Mode makes you uneasy. It seems like a lot of effort, and you aren’t sure whether you’re using it the right way. Better leave those classes to an expert transcriber, right?

Many transcribers are surprised when they take our course and discover that Math Mode is easier than they think. Our course uses real-world college lectures for practice drills, allowing you to put all your new skills into context. Transcribers who took Math Mode Basics loved the sense of confidence and mastery they gained.

“I’ve been doing this the wrong way for such a long time,” said one transcriber, “and I didn’t know it was this easy to do it correctly.”

You’re ready for a challenge.

Transcribing has become relatively easy for you. You can use your abbreviations in your sleep, and you almost never resort to using backspace runs. Is there more to just capturing spoken English as a TypeWell transcriber? How can you level up?

Part 1 of our Math Mode training series teaches best practices for typing mathematical operators, fractions, and exponents. The course also delves into important nuances, like the difference between negative numbers and the minus sign, which are essential for accurate transcription. Graduates of the course reported that the drills for fractions and exponents are particularly challenging, but most of them enjoyed the opportunity to stretch their transcribing muscles and tackle something new.

Despite the high difficulty level of some practice exercises, our lessons offer variable-speed drills, allowing you to practice at the speed that’s best for you. And if the course takes you longer than you had expected, or if life just gets in the way, we can grant you a free extension. Graduates of the Math Mode Basics course can also enroll in our review series, which allows them to continue practicing with the same drills over time.

To sign up for Math Mode Basics, Part 1, log in to learn.typewell.com (or sign up for an account).  The course, which consists of 6 carefully paced lessons, can be found under the “Course Catalog.”  We recommend signing up for the bundle.