Course Objective:

This session will show the participants the importance of knowing your software, knowing shortcuts, how to tell when your audio isn’t working, how to fix problems on the fly, backups, Plan B, C, D, refreshing drivers, and keeping your software updated in today’s modern world of continually updated technology. 

Seminar Topics:

The session will show the reporter how to use various software shortcuts to minimize editing time daily.  It will also show how knowing your software can help you in a pinch when something goes wrong.  It will show how you can stay calm in the face of technology issues by being prepared with Plans B, C, and D.    We will discuss experiences with software issues during depos and court and how to quickly handle them during a quick break without making everyone wait for you.   We will show you how to refresh your drivers periodically, so you don’t run into problems.  We will show you how important tech support and keeping tech support on speed dial is important to your overall productivity.  We will also show you some different ways to back up your information and the importance of always having your current dictionary backed up, including your personal and job dictionaries. 

Learning Outcomes:

Court Reporters will learn to take a breath and fix issues quickly and efficiently.  Reporters will also learn how to let others know they need help without creating a panic.  We will use PowerPoint and handouts to show where to find software fixes, how to find drivers and update them, what type of backups are best, and always having a plan in case of technology failure.

Session 4:

Ethics - Sink That Ship - 1.0 hours

Instructor: Pam Coder

Course Description: 

In this session, reporters compete to see
who remembers all the pertinent information about
transcript production, gift-giving, rules and
ethical standards.

SESSION 5: Tackling Digitals and Educating Attorneys

1 hrs (60 Min)

Presenter: Kathy McDaniel, CSR and Pam Gwin Sheppard, CSR 

Course Objective:

This hour-long presentation will focus on ideas to keep digitals in their lane.  We will discuss how freelancers can help officials to keep digital transcripts out of the courtroom.  We will also discuss ways videographers can help keep us abreast of digitals invading depositions.  We will discuss the importance of officials helping their judges understand the legality of accepting into evidence digital transcripts in states where digitals are not an approved method of reporting.  We will also discuss the digital courses being taught in colleges in states where digital is not an approved method and how we can voice our disapproval respectfully to the deans of these colleges in informing them of the facts in our states about not being an approved method.  The session will involve a PowerPoint presentation and hands-on instruction.

Specific Topics:

• Identifying the states where digitals are not approved

• How to discuss digitals with judges and attorneys

• How to know when a digital took a record in depos in cases before your court

• How to help attorneys understand when/where digitals are approved or not

• Tackling the narrative that mask writers and machine writers are the same as digital

Learning Outcomes:

Court reporters will understand how to communicate facts to their judges and attorneys on the licensure requirements for their individual states and when and in what circumstances digitals can be used and the importance and security of their record.

Session 6: Modern Dialects and Identifiers - 1.5 hours

Instructor: Kathy McDaniel

Course Description: 

Kathy McDaniel will help you understand the proper protocol when using interpreters.

This program will cover:

• Swearing in the interpreter at depositions
• Interjecting yourself when the deponent is
speaking “English
• Gender-neutral identifiers in transcripts

Participants will discover:

How to handle an “out-of-hand” language barrier
and/or crosstalk situations in depos or in court.