Students must have a high level of discipline and be able to commit a substantial amount of time each week on coursework while adhering to a strict schedule. Additionally, they must have excellent self-motivation and be able to remain focused as well as have computer and keyboarding knowledge. They must also have college-level writing and verbal skills to effectively communicate with instructors and other students. Prior to beginning classes, students should know the basics in word processing: edit, copy and paste, spell check, set margins, paginate, etc. Students also need to be generally proficient with using a computer, navigating the web, and managing files.
Instructional Equipment
All students are required to have a computer (PC only, no Mac), high-speed Internet, education-related software, equipment related to their program of study, textbooks, reference books, and headset/mic. Additionally, all students are provided secure login credentials for email, CCR’s Learning Management System, and their technology software. Faculty may post Websites for reference in their respective coursesites.
Library Resources
Upon enrollment at CCR, students are enrolled in the Library Resources Community Channel (coursesite). This channel is available to students for the duration of their schooling at the College of Court Reporting, is free of charge, and is accessible for reference or browsing. Students may also access and download the Research Techniques PowerPoint presentation for information on library resources and research techniques. In the Subjects and Classifications section of the Library Resources Community Channel, students can access a Table of Contents that lists subject-area specific online resources from art, court reporting, history, current events, religion, and the sciences. This resource coursesite will be consistently updated to meet the needs of students and faculty.
Students are also encouraged to utilize local public libraries and various online libraries as well as Websites for academic subjects, disciplines, etc., including the Internet Public Library, the Free Library, and the World Public Library.
Learning Management System
The college uses Moodle as its learning management system (LMS). The college also uses Blackboard Collaborate Ultra for live/recorded class instruction and EV360 Ultimate Suite of software technologies to deliver speed building instruction. The college’s LMS and other technologies enable students to have immediate, effective, and interactive communication tools that quickly engage and inform. Additionally, the LMS and other technologies empower educators to use the most efficient means possible to improve teaching and information sharing while also providing interactive distance learning, on-demand video and testing, and other web-based learning options. CCR uses a complete learning management solution that allows delivery of cost effective, convenient 24-hour access to its educational training and learning resources for students, instructors, and administrators.
EV360 software was developed to enrich the participants’ experience while integrating EV360’s “A Whole New Approach” and “Success As You Progress” philosophies. Users build realtime speed and skills through an innovation that adjusts dictation speed based on the user’s accuracy while maintaining the natural sound of the speaker. The EV360 Ultimate Suite of software programs can be customized for an individual’s specific objectives. EV360 allows the user to focus on building speed, writing more accurately for realtime, simulating online testing, and incorporating live classes into the overall regimen. EV360 Ultimate became the first user driven platform to market that utilizes the latest technologies to create new court reporting speed building practice resources, converting them into audio files using text-to-speech technologies. Most recently, EV360 Educational Solutions added two new programs, Create 360 and Level Up 360, to its EV360 Ultimate Suite of software programs:
- Create 360 Program
- Create 360 is a cutting-edge software program designed to address the shortcomings of existing court reporting speed building practice resources. By leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, it offers a dynamic and personalized learning experience. Create 360 generates new practice materials based on the user’s input and converts them into high-quality audio files ranging in speeds from 80 wpm to 300 wpm and beyond.
- Level Up 360 Program
- Level Up 360 programs include:
- Classes - Classes creates custom speedbuilding classes, similar to attending live speedbuilding classes, which present dictations based on structured lesson plans. Each audio class is broken down into six 1-minute audio segments that are repeated five times at varying speeds based on the selected lesson plan. The writing session is presented the same way users attend live speedbuilding classes with real teachers, structured classes, and longer practice sessions, mirroring an old-fashioned speedbuilding approach to building speed.
- Workouts - Workouts is a short workout approach to building speed. Audio, video, or text files are presented when users are writing, and the speed of the audio or text is adjusted in real time based on a selected workout plan. The concept is similar to a treadmill: The pace of the workout adjusts during the workout. No starting/stopping/starting/stopping to adjust the speed of the dictation you are practicing. There are over 40 workout plans (users can create their own as well) to select for any audio or text file you are practicing. Thousands of dictations are provided and EV360 is continuously adding more. Users can select their own audio files or text files and have the realtime workout plan variable speed player adjust the speed of those same files.
- Realtime - Realtime adjusts the speed as the audio is playing in realtime. When writing realtime, the practice speed is adjusted based on the CAT software’s translation accuracy. If the goal is 95 percent accuracy (adjustable user setting) and the translation is 95 percent or higher, EV360 gently increases the speed. If the accuracy falls below 95 percent, the speed gently decreases. This approach to developing realtime accuracy skills is a custom approach based on the actual CAT realtime translation accuracy. Unique realtime speed adjustments are based on translation percentage of accuracy.
- Games - Games allows users to practice in a whole new way; by playing games that are not only fun but integrate learning. Word Invaders and Sharp Shooter are an enjoyable way to take a break from speedbuilding while continuing to master steno and voice writing.
- Evaluate - Evaluations present audio at its natural speed. When the audio is complete, you can create your transcription manually directly from your written steno notes that are captured from your writer or edit your transcription using your CAT or other word processing software. Your transcription can be evaluated for transcription accuracy results.
- My Tests - My Tests automate the delivery of speed tests. The application includes intuitive technology to administer evaluations based on individual user’s qualifications, prerequisites, skill ability, current endurance, and transcription accuracy. The test library consists of 1-minute through 5-minute tests for jury charge, literary, and two voice testimony. Additionally, when a user submits a transcribed test, they see their initial errors and percentage of accuracy. Once the test has been submitted, instructors complete the actual grading and markups of the submitted test. Instructors are provided a set of tools to complete the grading and feedback process, such as color coding errors, annotating specific areas of the graded test, audio feedback messaging, re-calculation of errors, and email notifications for graded feedback. The entire test library consists of over 7,500 tests and added functionality for schools to create their own test packages.
- My EV360 - My EV360 is a time-on-task tracking and time management program. Users can load their class schedule, academic classes, skill development tasks, and other life tasks to keep themselves organized. EV360 Ultimate automatically tracks total time for every event that occurs when the user is logged into the program.
Blackboard Collaborate Ultra is a Web-based platform that acts as a Web-conferencing program enabling students and teachers to meet in classes and use audio and video features. Teachers can upload PowerPoint presentations, link to documents electronically, share their computer desktop, and control and view student computers (with student permission). Each class is recorded for viewing at a later time and for review as needed.
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