Leaves of Grass and Accuracy, Part I of 3
Leaves of Grass and Accuracy, Part I of 3
By Monette Benoit, All Rights Reserved.
This month’s column initiates a dialogue – one I discussed with many. I have permission for each quote from students and reporters. Successful professionals said, “And call it a New Year’s resolution! You need to do this.”
I deal with this conversation every day with test prep as a tutor and coach working with students and court reporters.
I softly share this topic is like a splinter. Sometimes it gets irritated.
I salute the students now preparing to enter our field and court reporters advancing our skills. And thus we move forward as keepers of the record.
Students continue to ask me (more often than one would like) if the best way to ‘get the test’ is “to read through your notes, then figure it out, and it ‘will’ come to you once you are out in the field, right? Besides, no one talks like that (speed) out there. You can read through errors on a five-minute test.”
Perhaps a speck of truth exists in that thought, but it certainly is not the whole story. One example: students (plural) who contact me in “200-225 rooms are working on 160-240 wpm (words per minute) with multiple speeds in one room.”
Students not able to accurately write – in multiple venues – are advised, “It will come to you. You can read your trash notes to pass that 5-minute test.”
I read on forums, “Failure rates for court reporting students are 90 percent; real-time theories have a lot to do with this. Get your speed up to pass and then graduate. Your accuracy will come to you once you’re out.”
Fact: The failure rate prior to implementation (creation) of real-time theories was posted at approximately 92 percent. (I had to sign a document stating I understood this. My parents received a copy with my signature from my college; they still comment upon this.)
If real-time theories have a relationship to stats now, how is it possible that we who wrote before “conflict-free” theories became the norm had a ‘percent’ near today’s existing number? And some say, “Real-time theories have a connection?” Many think not.
Successful real-time writers know we can not shortcut theory.
Is it possible that students who are self-described “brief junkies” – who, in an effort to get into higher speed classes brief words and phrases early in training – are pausing to think: “How do I write this? Is this word a brief from theory or one I made up?” Does this then create problems?
Creating briefs ‘on the fly’ as a professional will serve those individuals well. Yet that skill, if not refined with a strong foundation and accuracy, will have different results when used by students. It does.
Part II will be posted January 13, 2010.
Monette may be reached: Tutoring@CRRbooks.com
Monette Benoit, B. B.A., CCR, CRI, CPE, Paralegal
Motivation Management & Life Coach,
Tutor and Multiple Title Author of Books & Test Prep for the Court Reporting & Captioning Industry
Realtime Court Reporter, Instructor, Consultant, Columnist
Court Reporter Reference Books & CDs: www.CRRbooks.com
Blog: Monette’s Musings, www.monettebenoit.com
* Educational/Career Advancement; Private Tutoring/Customized Coaching
All American RealTime/Captioning Services, Inc.: www.ARTCS.com
Have you failed NCRA’s RPR, RMR or a state court reporting exam? I want to help you and others to pass your test and to exceed career goals. http://crrbooks.com/index.php?cPath=61
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Did You Know: You can accelerate your career with private tutoring and coaching?
Court reporting veteran Monette Benoit can help you achieve your goals.
Coaching and tutoring topics include:
• Motivation skills to keep you moving forward,
• Time-management skills,
• Process learning for more effective retention,
• Communication skills and daily interaction improvement skills, and much more.
Who comes to Monette for tutoring and coaching?
• Veteran court reporters, CART providers and captioners brushing up on their skills for test-taking requirements,
• In-class students who feel they’re falling behind or aren’t ready for the required tests,
• Students or veterans who struggle with focus, goal-setting, time-management or other life skills that might be interfering in their upward success,
• At-home students who want to ensure they’re on track for their exam and career goals,
• Veteran court reporters and captioners expanding their career options in related fields,
• Students and veterans alike who find they’re struggling with one or two key areas of daily practice,
• Students or veterans who have begun to question their career or whether they’re on the “right track” …
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Monette Benoit can help you achieve at much high levels. Where do you want to go? What have you really wanted to do with your career, and ultimately, your life? Specific custom-designed guidance efficiently assists you!
About Monette Benoit:
As a 25+year court reporter, CART provider, author of NCRA test prep material and an instructor, Monette Benoit has taught multiple theories, academics, all speed classes and the 225 homeroom within NCRA-approved schools and a community college. She understands the challenges many adults now face in our industry and schooling.
Monette Benoit has worked with thousands of professionals, court reporters, students and instructors. She has also helped create new court reporting training programs, worked with federal grants, and assisted instructors in developing curriculum for both in-class and at-home students.
Her one-on-one tutoring has greatly assisted thousands of students, novice and experienced professionals to privately reach the next level.