ISS is unique in the fact that we let students choose what sections of the course they feel will benefit them most. We don’t want anyone to pay for training they don’t need. In addition to the Word Skills Test, we do require that anyone bypassing notereading take a small notereading drill to ensure excellent notereading skills. We feel that notereading is vital to being a successful scopist. While we may suggest certain training, you are the best judge of your skills, and we leave the decision-making up to you. ISS has several graduates that were reporters or reporting students prior to taking the course. If you would like to ask them questions, let us know and we’ll attempt to put them in touch with you.

 

There are aspects of scoping that reporters generally don’t deal with or may not even know.  We feel that certain sections of the course are necessary, even if you have reporting experience. Some of the sections may serve as a refresher course, but as the saying goes, practice makes perfect.  

Q & E Punctuation: We strongly recommend that all students take the Q & E Punctuation section to hone their English skills, as this is the basis of all other scoping skills.  Students can test out of this and any other section for $25.    Medical Terminology: If you have experience with medical transcription or with medical transcripts, then you may want to consider testing out of the Medical Terminology section.    Transcript Production: If you are a court reporting student, this section exposes you to many different types of formats and include files so you'll be prepared for the many varied styles reporters use.

The Successful Professional Scopist: This section has proved to be the most beneficial to our past reporting students.  It covers marketing, ethics, ergonomics, and other relevant topics.

 

CATalyst Training: Even if you have used CATalyst for some time, this section describes in detail every bell and whistle of the program and equips you to work faster and more accurately.

 

Reporter Files: Even an experienced reporter can benefit from these practice files. They expose the student to varied writing styles and preferences to prepare as a graduate to serve many different clients. 

 

Here are some suggested course plans:

 

For those who already know how to read steno.

Includes the Q & E Punctuation, Medical Terminology, Transcript Production, The Successful Professional Scopist, CATalyst training, and Practice Files.

 

For those who know how to read steno and are on a software other than CATalyst.

Includes the Q & E Punctuation, Medical Terminology, Transcript Production, The Successful Professional Scopist, and RTF Practice Files.