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Adventures in Shorthand

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WED, APR 30,2014

4/30/2014

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it's time...dun dun dun

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Two huge boxes arrived, I signed for them (can't go back now) and now the learning can begin.
Nervous and excited pretty much sums it up.
The huge box was my machine from JM Steno. As I previously posted, I chose the WAVE paperless writer.
It was packaged nicely surrounded with foam. It came with a black rolling suitcase that was is great shape. I like that it has a lock built in. Also, it included a tripod.
The smaller box was all my manuals, cd's, and paperwork from CRAH. They also included a walkman, which brought me back to the nineties. I am sure I will use it, but I just haven't seen one in many years, my hubby was amazed they still make them.
Back to business, everything is pretty straight forward, I organized my binders and set up my machine. 
When I bought my CRAH program, the guy (Steven) told me to email support when I received all my materials, I did that, and got a response almost instantaneously. They also emailed me my login information for the website. I was curious to see the website, and I will admit, it isn't anything special. It is a whole list of video tutorials for me to watch...and that is it. I guess it doesn't need to be anymore than that, and maybe down the road they will expand it. The videos are nice quality, don't get me wrong. But it is very basic.
It would be nice to see a forum or a FAQ section. It would be cool to connect with the other students. I am sure they get a lot of repeating questions...I don't know. My previous online school platforms were from bigger schools with bigger budgets and a bigger number enrolled students. So I guess I shouldn't expect CRAH to match University of Virginia.
There are cd lessons and online lessons. Online for those of us that can do it from home with internet, but cd lessons for those who do not have internet access or maybe do schooling on the go. I want to say when I spoke to Steven, he mentioned they are moving away from paper binders and going online with the lessons. I am not 100% though.
Me being me, I have my own binder with dividers and paper for me to write down notes. I learn best by writing things down after reading a section or watching a video.
This isn't my first online school experience. I have attended San Diego State and University of Virginia online. Everyone learns differently, I need to write it down to remember it. My head is always swimming with school drop-off / pick-up times, son's medication schedule, speech times and dates, etc. I need to write everything down or else it falls off into the abyss.
Okay, okay, I will get on with it and actually start lesson one. 


If anyone has questions, email me!

Email Jayne

I will post about theory lessons in the Lessons 1-20 section at the top

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Fri, apr 18, 2014

4/21/2014

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Cheers to new beginnings 


Well, It's been done.
After bouncing all my ideas and scenarios off my hubby and sister, I have decided on the Court Reporting at Home program.
I bought the program and the WAVE writer to the tune of $5650.00
I called (again) and the nice gentleman on the other line (Steven) talked me off the edge.
I over think things sometimes, okay, almost all the time. I am a detail person, what can I say?
So, now instead on nerves, I feel excited to start!


CRAH now offers the PROcat Blaze. (Another $300) The student version of the Impression.
Although it does have a touch screen and tilting tripod, I still went with the Wave. The Wave is the student version of the Diamante. The same machine my sister has. I thought it would be best, since she will be helping me out from time to time.
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My machine and materials should be here in the next 2 weeks. I will post more as soon as I open the box. and can thumb through everything.
So far my impression is that this program will work for those who have the five D's

  • DESIRE – You must have a strong, solid desire to become a court reporter.
  • DETERMINATION – You must be a persistent and determined individual who lets nothing stand in your way of accomplishing your goals of becoming a court reporter.
  • DEDICATION – You must be dedicated enough to put forth the time and effort required to accomplish your goals of becoming a court reporter.
  • DISCIPLINE – You must have enough motivation and self discipline to make your career goals a priority.
  • DESERVE – If you possess the above attributes, then you must be a winner; so you deserve the rewards of being a successful court reporter.
I stole that from The Academy of Court Reporting, Mark Kislingbury.
I have read that no matter what theory you learn, learn it frontwards, backwards and inside out.
I do believe that Stenomaster is an excellent theory, but the program was just too expensive and they just do not have a complete program like CRAH. Selfstudycourtreporting.com was sold to this lady, it was not through Mark. Plus, his new books will be coming out shortly, so who knows when this gal will get the new copies. I will probably join his Magnum Steno Club at some point. If I need help with speed building. I do not doubt his talent. His wife informed me that this was for more advanced students, not those fresh out of theory.
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Thur, apr 17, 2014

4/17/2014

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Stenomaster Theory 2.0?

Well, I thought I had my mind made up until today.
I have been looking into Stenomaster theory a little bit more, and decided to make a few phone calls
I know what you are thinking, If I spent all this time actually learning I could be done by now...Touche.
But like my last post said, I really do not want regrets, and end up buying 2 programs.

Okay, back to my phone calls...
First I called Mark Kislingbury's Academy of Court Reporting in Texas. I got a dis-interested gal on the phone. Yep, being a beginner you start at $500 per month, with no discount till you are done. Ouch.
I inquired about buying his theory book and doing it on my own, and she gave me a number to Mark's wife.
Next call was to her, I never did ask if it was his wife, but she was pleasant, and I rattled off my questions.
Yes, I could buy his books at a $50 discount for being a student. So the price is now $199.
Yes, you can buy his theory package from Selfstudycourtreporting.com. He sold his program to the gal who runs the site. Shirley Baker. I asked his wife (??) about this option and she said that Mark is coming out with another book in June 2014.
Making his 2008 copy outdated. I asked if it will have DVD's or Cd's and she said "no, the cd's were not up to Mark's standards" She said I should wait till June to purchase. I asked for specific date, but she did not have one at this time.
My final question was how different will it be from the current theory, and she said it was quite different. Enough that I should wait, which sorta sucks, cause I really wanted to start next month. 

Since I am still looking into programs, you are thinking I have moved away from CRAH. Well, not entirely. I was just reading a blog I followed, and he moved from CRAH to Stenomaster. He said CRAH was "stroke intensive" and he could not get past 60wpm.
So  a red flag popped up and I starting looking again.
I am not ruling out Courtreportingathome.com, I am simply looking for more information. 

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Wed, apr 16, 2014

4/16/2014

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It Is All Time and Money


Something I do not have a lot of. Money and Time.

Choose a school. Check. How hard could it be?
Google a little bit, read a few reviews, and whaa laa.

Well, it wasn't so easy for me. I quickly read about what theory people either loved or hated. 
So, my search became not only what school to attend, but what theory would be the best to learn for a beginner.
I don't want to spend a bunch of T&M (time and money) on a program, all to drop out and star a new one. I have to do my research upfront before I whip out the AMEX.

I have been on the blogs and googled to my hearts (almost) content.
I still wrestle with which online program will eventually cost me less Money and Time.
There are pros and cons to everything. 
I like CRAH because it seems like a one stop shop for school, software, support and machine. But is it too good to true? Is there a better option out there.
The blogs rave about Mark Kislingbury. He has his own brick and mortar school in Texas. You can pay to watch live classes or watch archived classes for new students to the tune of $500 per month. That price does not go down until you are done with the program. There is another option though for us budget minded folks. Selfstudycourtreporting.com, Mark's Stenomaster theory bundled up like CRAH. Cd's, books, and Mark's personal dictionary.
It only offers email support, but at the price of $3500.00. It is a little easier on the pocket book. 
Another option that is a little more a la carte would be to learn Stenomaster theory only ($1799.00) and then join Mark's Magnum Steno Club ($30 per month) and buy his book ($250). You may be able to navigate speed building this way. Granted, you would probably need guidance from a mentor.
I could not find anything about a machine or CAT software. I assume this means you better start looking on Ebay for a second hand machine. Also add in there, ordering CAT software (student version $495.00) 

Okay, my mind is feeling numb looking at the numbers and researching which program would be best. It is a big decision. One that should not be taken lightly, considering the amount of money and time you invest.
The main reason I still think I will choose Court Reporting and Captioning at Home, is because of the 365 days of email support. Added bonus, internship placement and job placement assistance. I know I have an insider with my sister being a court reporter, but she only knows what she knows. She doesn't know a captioner to set me up with or know who would be the best employer. She knows freelance court reporting. Plus, she is about to be a first time mom, and probably doesn't want to deal with an inquisitive, nagging sister. 


If anyone else is wrestling with similar questions, let me know what you decide!




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MON, APR 14, 2014

4/14/2014

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Why Captioning?

The world is my oyster....
Or so it seems.
My husband recently told me how freeing it must be to be able to choose any career I wanted. The freedom of being able to do what you are passionate about. Ummm...really?
Well, I equate my new career search to a funnel. Lots of ideas and options going in, and only a few make on the other side. My husband's career is already set in stone, he has been in his field for almost 20 years. With set hours, and an hour commute each way, my new found career must flex around his for the kids sake. If one of them gets sick at school, he can't leave work on most days. If one of them wakes up with a fever, he has to go to work. There is little flexibility.


I kicked around real estate for awhile. Sounds great in theory, but really you are at your clients mercy. Nights and weekends are when people want to look at houses, and that is my time with my family. I really do not want to give that up. No big commission check is worth it to me.


Next on the chopping block was a 9-5 job (specifically Construction Management, my former career), but rushing to get the kids to school and not getting home till late to make dinner and put them in bed sure doesn't sound like fun either. People do it all the time, I am not one of those people. My older son goes to speech and physical therapy 4 days a week after school, and the thought of taking them to before and after school daycare seems like such a waste. I would barely see them. No amount of money is worth it to me. Some people do not have a choice, they have to have both parents work, or are a single parent that has to bring home the paychecks. We are lucky, we have the option to let me stay home and be active with my boys while my husband is at work.


Insert court reporting/ captioning. My sister is a freelance court reporter in the Seattle/Tacoma area. She told me years ago I should look into captioning. I was too busy with babies and being pregnant to really look at it, until now. With my son's therapy schedule, which will continue for years to come. I need a schedule I can help determine. I would rather work from 8pm till ??? so I can pick my boys up from the bus stop. That is who I am, my sister (not the court reporter) thinks I'm too protective, but I think every family dynamic is different. You only raise your kids once. Full time employees are 30 hours per week, I assume that means a part time employee is 15 hours per week (typing time) at $50-$75 per hour... Hey, that is something I can get used to. I started my quest for knowledge. It seems like the perfect fit. I have been warned, the school is really tough, and slightly boring. Schools have a high drop out rate. Intimidating? Yes, a little, however, not enough to deter me.
Great pay with a schedule you can set around your family's needs....too good to be true?  I guess I will find out


 If you are a captioner or in school to become one, why did you decide this career and is it what you expected? Let me know!

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