Academic Transcription Services are Charting the Future of Students

The professor is talking. Questions and answers are flying. Pencils are scribbling. Wait – what did she say? Can you repeat that? I think I missed that last part. And, my pencil broke. Okay, that’s it. I definitely need more coffee. 

More and more university students have decided to skip the unreadable scrawls and inevitable hand cramps. Not only that, but they’re getting better grades. How?

What are academic transcription services?

Academic transcription services are making lives simpler, one transcript at a time. Instead of missing important points and information, students are using the digital age to their advantage. It’s easier than ever to use the record mode on phones, tablets and other digital recorders to catch every word. Then, academic transcription services convert those audio or video files to text, giving the student a hard copy they can refer to whenever they need.

Transcriptionists must provide quality work with a high accuracy rate. Once they receive the project, they must also meet a tight deadline. These trained professionals know the importance of accurately converting materials to text for their customers.

Why are academic transcription services beneficial?

Transcription services for university students improve grades

Besides being easier, transcriptions often contribute to better grades, too. Students don’t run the risk of omitting or misremembering information or discussion, as they would when taking notes by hand. They don’t have to focus more on trying to keep up than what is actually said. 

With a transcription, they have a hard copy of exactly what transpired. Additionally, several studies have shown that the majority of students are visual learners – those who learn primarily through visual aids. By contrast, a much smaller portion is considered “auditory learners” – those who retain more from what they hear. Yet, classroom presentations are often delivered by lecture alone. Reason follows that using visual materials as additional learning aids will help a larger percentage of the classroom. 

Many education experts also believe students are not exclusive to auditory, visual or kinetic styles. By using a blend of styles, such as combining what they’ve heard with something to read, additional studies have shown students can double memory retention and improve comprehension. 

This is partly why best practice study guides often recommend a variety of techniques. Listen to the presentation (auditory), read the information (visual), and practice what was learned (kinetic). By combining these styles, students have a true understanding of the subject matter rather than just rote memorization.

Student transcription services save time

University students already face a pile of responsibilities. Besides intensive school workloads, many also work extra jobs to help pay for college. Others volunteer with organizations, play sports, join clubs, assist their families, help their communities and more. Finding the time to sift through hours of recorded interviews and lectures is not only tedious – it’s unrealistic. With transcription services, students can better manage their time.

Academic transcription services help professors improve the classroom experience

Students aren’t the only ones who have discovered this useful tool. University professors are also using academic transcription services to transcribe their lectures. Their students can receive a hard copy of the lecture and classroom discussion for later reference. For students with legitimate reasons for missing a class, professors know they won’t miss important information and resulting discussions. To combat students skipping altogether, professors often place conditions on distributing hard copies. They can choose who receives the transcriptions and when. 

By reviewing their own transcriptions, professors can also self-evaluate their performance to decide where to improve their lectures and interactions, enhancing and bettering the classroom experience for their students. It helps them improve their teaching style and more effectively share the curriculum their pupils need. 

Student transcription services are a useful alternative to other aids

As an alternative to American Sign Language or assistive listening devices, some deaf or hard-of-hearing students choose to use academic transcription services instead. It provides a more inclusive learning environment by offering the same benefits other students receive.

Academic transcription services help with primary research

Many students use primary research for their papers, theses and dissertations. By nature, secondary research is typically already written by authors or other researchers. Primary research, on the other hand, is direct information gathered by the student, in such forms as interviews, observations, surveys, etc. If a student is busy transcribing hours of interviews, particularly one who is untrained in transcribing, it can take away from the time they would spend on analysis and creating a strong case.

Are academic transcription services expensive?

College students are notoriously broke and busy. The last thing they need is to mess with something that’s going to take money and time – two things they just don’t have.

The good news is that prices are increasingly affordable and the process is easier than ever. In most cases, you can simply upload your audio or video files. Once your request is filled, you’ll receive your proofread transcription, usually in your email.

How do I request academic transcription services?

Academic transcription services can be used for lectures, presentations, seminars, research work, interviews, focus groups, dissertations, group discussions, conferences – the possibilities are limitless. Whether you need audio-to-text, text-to-text or language translation cum transcription, those services are available. 

The future of academia is one that is easier, but also more effective. Professors benefit from self-evaluation, resulting in improved lectures and classroom experiences. Students get better grades and retain what they’ve learned. It lies within using the tools at our fingertips – and is hopefully free of writer’s cramp.