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Court and Parliamentary Reporting and Captioning (Electronic Shorthand)
From 1998 to 2002 the School conducted traditional full-time and part-time classroom-based tuition in the Sydney CBD. While a successful format, the numbers of students able to access training was necessarily limited in terms of commuting impracticality, and classroom space limitation. Beginning in July 2001 the School offered a distance education program. As a result of the increased accessibility and affordability to students of training shown to be possible in the distance program, the Australian School of Court Reporting converted all training services to on-line delivery from 2003. NEW. From 2004 intending students of machine shorthand for the court reporting, steno captioning and parliamentary reporting industries may apply for access to the training and assessment materials and tutorial support available through this website as independent home-study students. Formal enrolments into the Australian School of Court Reporting are no longer necessary or accepted. As an independent home-study student you should dedicate your training and self-education to becoming a highly skilled and professional court reporter, media steno captioner or parliamentary reporter. Your philosophy and mission should be to attain the highest standard of achievement. In the recent past, the shortage of qualified reporting staff has been underlined by the low level of response to advertisements placed by government court reporting organisations, parliaments and the private sector. The shortage of staff is a worldwide phenomenon, and qualified personnel are able, subject to local visa requirements, to work in such diverse places as courts systems and/or media organizations in Britain, United States, Australia, Africa, and in the United Nations and other international organizations. The course integrates the two parts of machine shorthand -- theory and speedbuilding, using computer-aided transcription. The website training materials, assessments and tutorial services support independent home-students of the Phoenix Theory of electronic machine shorthand. Phoenix Theory is a computer-compatible machine shorthand language specifically designed for production of transcripts of the spoken word in 'real-time'. 'Real-time' means the immediate on-screen production of the transcript in live television broadcasts and court proceedings. Independent home-study students may use this website in conjunction with the textbook-based lessons in Phoenix Theory which they purchase from the supplier. On-line sound-file lessons on this website match those in the Phoenix Theory textbooks. Sound-file assessment tasks are
available on-line for completion and submission to a tutor after
each lesson to assess progress and theory acquisition. Access to
new lessons is arranged on passing each lesson. Speed-building sound-file
dictations from 40 words per minute to 200 words per minute are
also available on-line at the website, and can be supported by personal
tutorial assessment, support, and individual electronic shorthand
dictionary-building support. All assessments may be emailed to the
tutor for assessment and return by email. We believe that the learning of machine shorthand entails 10% instruction and 90% motivation. In order to help keep you motivated sufficiently to complete the intensive program over 15 months to 2 years depending on individual progress access is available to experienced educators and tutors Monday to Friday. The main objective of the course in Phoenix Theory machine shorthand is to prepare students to be a professional court and parliamentary reporter. At the completion of the course students are expected to have attained a shorthand speed of 180 words per minute and to have demonstrated an understanding of computer-aided transcription. They are expected also to have a high level of competency in English grammar and vocabulary, as well as legal, medical and parliamentary terminology. Students can expect to complete course work in the timeframe determined by their study regime, either in full-time or part-time mode. See Course Duration. Students are encouraged and assisted
to develop independent work strategies to develop their practical
skills, which will allow them to progress through the course at
the most efficient rate. The fees are for access to the
on-line program and tutorial support services, totaling Aust $3740
per year. (Approx.US $2800; UK £Stg 1500; €2240, subject to exchange
rate fluctuations.) The access fee covers:
An electronic English/Shorthand translation dictationary and ancillary course material ("Phoenix Theory Volumes 1 and 2" "Fast Track" and "Speed Plus") and steno paper must be purchased by the student, but only the Phoenix Theory books and "Fast Track" are compulsory texts. A Phoenix Shorthand dictionary is highly recommended. "Fast Track" cost is approximately $80 (Aust), and a Phoenix Shorthand Dictionary is approximately $170 (Aust) - please allow for fluctuations in price due to exchange rates, and for freight costs. As a prerequisite, a student must have access to or purchase a shorthand machine. It is highly recommended that students purchase an electronic shorthand machine, which is the industry standard internationally. "Smartwriter" second-hand electronic machines are ideal, as are Stentura 400SRT machines with Case Catalyst student version software. Shorthand machines generally have a very good resale value should a student decide to sell their machine after completion of the course. Assistance can be provided with sourcing new and second-hand shorthand machines. The approximate cost of a Smartwriter shorthand machine is $1800 (Aust) and approx. Aust.$2500 for a Stentura SRT machine. Machines are obtainable through your national Stenograph distributor, details can be provided. Lower prices should be expected in the United States. The course is designed to allow students to progress at their own pace during both the theory and the speed building sections of the course. The assessment procedures are structured so that a student's progress can be continuously monitored and guided during the course. Course work and assessment tasks are undertaken online and emailed to your tutor for assessment and feedback. At any time, in conjunction with the tutorial support service, both student and tutor know exactly the stage of progress reached, and the speed and accuracy of your machine shorthand skill. No minimum education requirement is necessary to apply for the course, nor do students need prior knowledge of shorthand or the legal system. However, it is recommended that students have some computer keyboard skills before commencing the course and have a sound command of English. Previous studies in shorthand are not necessary, but may indicate an aptitude for application of phonetic principles. Experience or keen interest in keyboard-based motor skills or language acquisition may also indicate aptitude for machine shorthand. Access to a computer, the internet and email service is required. Terms are of 10 weeks duration
from the date of grant of access to the on-line materials at the
website, not including recess and vacations, listed 2007 Full-time progression : 15 months - 2 years* :(to achieve 180 words per minute)** Based on 40 hours per week and 52 weeks per year. Part-time progression: 2 - average 3 years*: (to achieve 180 wpm) (In the part-time course especially, it is possible to minimise course duration depending on the amount of time devoted to keyboard practice).** *The time in which the course is completed depends upon each student's individual rate of progress. Estimated progress for 2yrs 8 months completion (part-time): 32 weeks for Theory modules, and 5 words per minute per month speed building. **Certification will be awarded for any level of speed and accuracy attained, but speeds for appointment as a professional court reporter are a minimum of 180 words per minute with 98% accuracy. |
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