Advanced Steno Techniques

As a reader of the Advanced Steno Techniques, you are entitled to a 30% discount at BuySteno.com.  Please use this coupon code:  AST  (AST stands for Advanced Steno Techniques).

Issue 14

The Speed Teacher

and  

Reaction Time

Clarity will always be the most important aspect of reporting.  You won't pass your tests and you won't be a competent reporter if you write sloppy.

The amount of words that you carry in your head while taking dictation is the second most important component.  If you fall behind in the dictation, you will suffer with devastating drops.

There are various reasons for why students carry too many words.  Some students fall behind because of hesitation.  Some think too much about the last stroke that they wrote instead of concentrating on the next stroke.  Some correct too many of their strokes.  Other common reasons are:  nerves, indecision as to how to write a word, waiting for phrases, trying to remember a brief, thinking about soundalikes, mishearing the dictation, getting confused as to the order of words and so many many more reasons.

The reason that you dropped on your last test may not be the same reason that your friend dropped.  Everybody is different.  It is important that you understand your personal writing patterns. 

Future articles will explore the different types of writers, why they write the way they do, and how to correct any deficiencies.

For today, we will, once again, move straight to the solution.  We will use the Speed Teacher.  Use it properly, and you will be a much better writer.

Last week's article spoke of the Magic Drills.  If you followed the directions, you are now writing much stronger, clearer, and rhythmically.  You have also started to learn how to drop.

That's a pretty good start.  Keep at it.  Continue with the Magic Drills.

Now we will improve your reaction time.  

The concept is simple.  React fast while driving, and you will avoid most accidents.  React fast while stroking, and you will avoid falling behind and/or dropping.

The Speed Teacher has the best drills for this purpose.  They are very simple drills.  Do them correctly, and you may feel that they are too easy.  But please continue as directed.  You will see the results in your other drills. 

If you don't own the Speed Teacher program, you can download a free 21-day trial from the Speed Teacher page on CourtReportingHelp.com.  There is no signup or charge for the trial version.  Later, if you wish, you can purchase a registration code from the Speed Teacher page of BuySteno.com.

The drill that I want you to do is the Reaction Drill.  There are full instructions on this page of CourtReportingHelp.com.

Step One of the drill asks you to pick an easy drill at an easy speed and put five words on the screen.  Then you drill and drill and drill.  You increase the speed if you drill properly.  You decrease the speed if you have problems.

Step Two really really really increases your reaction time. 

Really.

Step Two directs you to pick an easy drill at an easy speed, but you reduce the number of words on the screen from five to four.  As you become comfortable with the drill, you continue to reduce the number of words on the screen until you are down to one word.

At this point, by following a simple techinique, you have greatly increased your reaction time.  Now you can begin to increase the speed.  Step Two has directions as to how you should do that.

There is also a Step Three to this drill.  Some people like it.  You should try it, but don't worry if you don't share their opinion.

If you devote ten minutes a day to the Speed Teacher and ten minutes to the Magic Drills, you will not remain stuck at your present level.

Next Free Drill:  The new Magic Drill CD for the Top 1000 Briefs is being recorded right now.  You will get a free drill from that CD next week. 

Here is last week's information about the free Magic Drills on the CourtReportingHelp.com site.  There are complete instructions for each Magic Drill.  Just drill nice and easy.  Don't worry about speed until you learn how to do them correctly at low speeds.

Click here to go to the Magic Drills. 

Follow the simple instructions.

Follow the simple instructions.

Please, please, please,

Follow the simple instructions.

As a reader of the Advanced Steno Techniques, you are entitled to a 30% discount at BuySteno.com.  Please use this coupon code:  AST  (AST stands for Advanced Steno Techniques).

Have a great steno day.