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#106007 - 08/02/08 10:12 PM
Technical Q's Regarding Training From Newbie
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missrei
New Member
Registered: 08/02/08
Posts: 4
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First, I'd like to thank all contributors to this chat forum for the wealth of information available here. It has allowed my spouse and I to consider a much more realistic scenario as I move forward with choosing the training to become a MT.
I would very much appreciate your thoughts on the following questions regarding training:
*I've reviewed the program details from both Andrews School and M-Tec. Perhaps I've missed it, but I'm wondering if either program specifically addresses working with Speech Recognition software. I suppose I am wondering if I will have had practice if (more likely when) I am asked to "edit."
*I have the Windows Vista operating system on my computer (not by choice!). Has anyone had compatibility issues with Vista and software commonly used by MTs?
*Do you have any other real-world "technical" advice (hardware, software, working environment) that may help a newbie?
Thank you in advance for your time and advice 
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#106009 - 08/02/08 10:19 PM
Re: Technical Q's Regarding Training From Newbie
[Re: missrei]
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casagrandeMT
Member
Registered: 12/05/04
Posts: 1933
Loc: Casa Grande, AZ
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As to your VR question - I was not taught that when I went to school. It seems to me most schools would not have you use it as you have to 1st learn how to transcribe before you learn how to edit.
After graduation I did get my school to add a section on ESL docs - that is what you will face in the "real world" for sure.
Good luck with your studies. 
_________________________
Casagrande ex-MT
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#106028 - 08/03/08 03:31 AM
Re: Technical Q's Regarding Training From Newbie
[Re: casagrandeMT]
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Redpen
Member
Registered: 12/31/69
Posts: 969
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I'm wondering if either program specifically addresses working with Speech Recognition software. I suppose I am wondering if I will have had practice if (more likely when) I am asked to "edit."
Your MT program will include substantial practice in the transcription of voice files. That is, you'll learn to understand what you are hearing, process it intellectually, and write it appropriately. You will also learn to use reference material well, to know when you need to use it and when you need to refer a question to a higher authority or to leave a blank.
As a part of that process, you will spend a considerable amount of time reviewing your own transcription, listening to the voice again, identifying and evaluating errors, and making corrections.
In editing VR files, you'll be doing both of those things. In other words, the training you get in regular transcription is the training you need to edit VR files.
You can't, after all, edit a VR file unless you can transcribe it--you would have no idea what you were listening to. VR does not, after all, produce an accurate transcript which you only need to, say, add a comma here and there. It's often completely off the wall. You can't edit a VR file unless you can look at a transcript, listen to the voice file, and figure out what's wrong. You can't do it unless you can transcribe.
Your education in transcription itself should prepare you for editing material processed by VR. A school which teaches transcription completely and well will also have provided enough education for you to edit VR files.
We do know that students who use VR too soon do not learn to do either straight transcription or VR editing well. Occasionally, a student thinks that they don't need to suffer through learning to do straight transcription. They think it's soooo much better to use VR. Then comes the nasty surprise that their skills aren't enough to edit VR documents, because they never learned to understand the dictation.
Is there a need to be "taught" a specific software type? Not really. Did you have to take a formal class to learn to use the basics on your new computer? Probably not. Employers provide training on their platform and work processes. Any software specifics you need to know will be provided. It's pointless to teach a specific software if nobody knows what kind you'll be using. You'll be able to pick that up from user guides or your employer, and hopefully from your school and their graduates.
In learning MT, your goal will be to learn to transcribe very, very well, because that is what will get the job. You'll need to learn the underlying medical foundation and the skill of understanding and writing a transcript. That's a big enough bite to chew! I understand the feeling that you need to plan, plan, plan way ahead, because I do that, but it's enough right now to worry about just learning to transcribe.
Is it necessary to plan ahead now for software and hardware needs? Not really, no. We recommend that you do not do this until you have found a job, since what you need may be employer-specific. There may be significant changes between what you would need now and a year or more from now. There is also the possibility that your employer will provide the equipment for you.
As mentioned in the post above, the ability to understand and transcribe ESL dictation is a critical skill. That's something you would want your program to cover, because it will greatly facilitate your ability to transcribe and to edit VR files.
_________________________
Redpen
(The Andrews School)
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#106032 - 08/03/08 08:04 AM
Re: Technical Q's Regarding Training From Newbie
[Re: Redpen]
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missrei
New Member
Registered: 08/02/08
Posts: 4
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Thank you so much for the answers! I am very relieved to hear that a solid foundation in transcription will prepare one for different real world scenarios, including the trend in the use of Speech Recognition software.
I can definitely see the impact of ESL medical professionals on the transcription process. I live in a very racially diverse area, so I can well imagine the challenge of trying to understand oral dictation with heavier accents. It must be very gratifying to know that you're providing patients and caregivers with accurate patient records.
Thank you again for the replies
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#106036 - 08/03/08 10:17 AM
Re: Technical Q's Regarding Training From Newbie
[Re: missrei]
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viola33
Member
Registered: 12/06/06
Posts: 900
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missrei -
I went to Andrews, and upon graduation and entry into the MT world, I found the learning curve with technology in general to be much steeper than I was led to expect. I don't have any experience with M-Tec, but I do know (and you have probably seen) that they advertise technical resources.
It is absolutely true that a solid foundation in transcription is critical, no matter how you are doing it. Andrews and M-Tec will both give you that foundation. However, there is in fact a slightly different process involved in editing. You are still translating audio into finished documents, but there is in fact a significant difference between doing so by directly transcribing it and editing an unfinished draft. Expect a learning curve.
It is also true that much of the technology you will be using will be platform-specific. There are also, in fact, things you will need to know about operating your own computer and your own software that you may not, and you may or may not get that support from your employer, depending on the size and nature of the company. The Vista question is a perfect example. I know of at least one person who graduated with excellent grades and was unable to continue in the field. She attributes this to lack of knowledge about general technology and software issues.
I can also tell you that there are huge differences between VR platforms. Unless M-Tec has specific information regarding specific platforms as part of their curriculum or resources (Andrews does not), you will want to ask about specific platforms when you are job hunting. I would HIGHLY recommend asking for people's experiences with different platforms when you are job hunting, as I personally (and others I have known) have found huge differences in productivity with different platforms.
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#106047 - 08/03/08 01:19 PM
Re: Technical Q's Regarding Training From Newbie
[Re: viola33]
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missrei
New Member
Registered: 08/02/08
Posts: 4
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Hi viola33,
Thanks for the great information. I'm glad to see the learning curve addressed, as some of the threads in the "Hot Zone" forum seemed to point out difficulties with VR that even experienced MT's were experiencing.
I've worked with computers and multimedia for the last decade so I'm fairly comfortable with technology. However, the platforms and software from the MT field are all new to me. I've had experiences in multimedia where I spent significant amounts of time solving technical issues before I could get to the actual work - I'm sure there are similar situations in the MT field.
But knowing that these issues exist beforehand makes a big difference...thanks!
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#106052 - 08/03/08 03:45 PM
Re: Technical Q's Regarding Training From Newbie
[Re: missrei]
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viola33
Member
Registered: 12/06/06
Posts: 900
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Quite welcome, missrei. Good luck!
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#106068 - 08/03/08 09:19 PM
Re: Technical Q's Regarding Training From Newbie
[Re: viola33]
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AnneMD001
New Member
Registered: 07/02/08
Posts: 5
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Just wanted to let you know that M-TEC has a module at the end where you practice working on the actual platform of an MT national company. If you call M-TEC and talk with them, they will be able to give you more information about that and also about the required technology training.
Good luck!
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