Master The Expander Learn The 1 Tool For Transcription

Learn text expander shortcut methods to increase your typing speed and productivity at the keyboard!

Last updated 2022-01-10 | 4.3

- Please Note: The text expander used to demonstrate shortcut methods (Instant Text) is NOT compatible with macOS.
- Develop your own easy-to-remember shorthand abbreviations for headings
- specialized terminology
- medications
- and client-specific information.
- Enhance entries with comments or flags to prevent critical errors.

What you'll learn

Please Note: The text expander used to demonstrate shortcut methods (Instant Text) is NOT compatible with macOS.

Develop your own easy-to-remember shorthand abbreviations for headings

specialized terminology

medications

and client-specific information.

Enhance entries with comments or flags to prevent critical errors.

Create custom glossaries for specific clients or fields of practice.

Create powerful commands for the editing of voice recognized material.

* Requirements

* Please Note: The text expander used to demonstrate shortcut methods (Instant Text) is NOT compatible with macOS.
* Installation of Instant Text Pro 7 is recommended
* but the shortcut methods taught in this course is applicable to all other third-party text expander programs.
* As this course will be utilizing Instant Text Pro 7 to learn shortcut methods
* instructions on where and how to download the free 30-day trial is included.
* Geared toward medical transcriptionists
* but this course can also be used as a guide on how to use the text expander for other types of transcription (legal
* general).

Description

Disclaimer: Please note that this course uses Instant Text 7 and not IT8 and 9. However, the big focus of this course is in learning shortcut methods, which is universal and transferrable to whatever expander you use.

Welcome to the first course of its kind, specifically designed to teach the transcriptionist how to become super efficient at the keyboard with the use of a text expander!

In brief, the text expander is a typing productivity tool that docks onto the bottom of any word processor, such as MS Word, Google Docs, and editing platforms used by transcription companies. With the expander docked to your editing screen, specialized terminology and commonly used phrases can be typed very quickly using abbreviations or shortcuts that the user assigns to the program. This significantly reduces the number of keystrokes needing to by typed, which in turn increases your speed immensely. The text expander also prevents critical spelling errors and cuts down on the amount of wear and tear on your wrists, joints, and hands.

This course is geared toward the transcriptionist who has peaked in their level of productivity at the keyboard and would like to increase their line rate. This course will also benefit the transcription student who is looking for an in-depth course on the text expander so they are more prepared prior to entering the workforce. With the specialized terminology already provided within the text expander glossaries, students and seasoned transcriptionists alike will feel more equipped and efficient in their work as a transcriptionist.

Stay ahead of the curve and learn how to use the text expander program that all your colleagues are talking about!

Who this course is for:

Seasoned medical transcriptionists who want to increase their speed and efficiency through the use of a text expander.
Transcriptionists of other types (legal, general, etc.) who want to learn how to create shortcuts for commonly dictated words and phrases through the use of a text expander.
Medical transcription students who want to learn how to use the text expander prior to entering the workforce.

Course content

23 sections • 154 lectures

Introduction Part 1 - Welcome and Course Overview 3 lectures

Course Introduction Preview 03:03

Before We Begin Preview 01:21

This video addresses the question as to whether this course will benefit those who use a different expander outside Instant Text Pro 7.

How Does it Work? Preview 01:52

Addresses the first question as to what the expander is and the basic principles on how it all works.

Intro Part 2 - The Three Biggest Myths 4 lectures

The 3 Biggest Myths Intro Preview 00:44

This lecture addresses the 3 most common misconceptions surrounding what text expanders can do and what they can't do.

Myth #1 Preview 02:52

Myth #2 Preview 01:45

Myth #3 Preview 07:57

Intro Part 3 - The 3 Key Components to Success 4 lectures

Key Components to Success Preview 00:51

Key Component #1 Preview 01:06

Key Component #2 Preview 01:48

Key Component #3 Preview 02:57

Intro Part 4 - What will you learn? 2 lectures

Course Breakdown Preview 04:02

Introduction Wrap-up Preview 01:50

Program Setup and Interface (specific to Instant Text users only) 8 lectures

Download and Installation Preview 01:44

Docking and Linking Indicators Preview 00:57

Client Configurator Preview 02:29

Phrase and Word Advisories Preview 02:09

Capitalization and Spacing Indicators Preview 01:26

Help Button Preview 00:48

Section 5 Wrap-up Preview 00:14

Interface Elements

This quiz will test your knowledge on the various interface elements discussed in the section.

The Options Menu (specific to Instant Text users only) 9 lectures

Options Menu Intro Preview 01:07

Marker Selection Preview 01:00

Automatic Spacing Preview 01:23

Advisories Preview 00:39

Advisory Colors Preview 00:39

Special Keys Preview 00:55

Productivity Screen Preview 00:59

Section 6 Wrap-Up Preview 00:29

Options Menu

Glossaries 101 (specific to Instant Text users only) 11 lectures

Glossary Intro Preview 01:10

Medstart 101 Preview 02:22

Drugs Glossary Preview 03:22

Adding Glossaries Preview 00:52

Reordering Active Glossaries Preview 01:31

Switching Glossaries Preview 02:11

Transferring Entries Preview 01:50

Taking her for a Spin! Preview 00:57

Spin Comparison Key Preview 02:02

Test Runs

Practice typing with the expander using the Medstart and Drugs glossaries.

Section 7 Wrap-Up Preview 01:22

The British Medstart and Drugs glossaries are the complete starter glossaries that can be drag and dropped directly into your glossary folder and then added to your active glossary list on the main screen interface. Thanks go out to Lea Owen-Keenan for her work in creating them and for allowing me to share them with you here.

Includes (specific to Instant Text users only) 12 lectures

What's an Include? Preview 02:34

Viewing the Includes Preview 01:53

Dates Include for Medstart Preview 02:09

Numbers Include for Medstart Preview 01:19

Labs Include for Medstart Preview 01:56

Medstart and Dates Includes for Drugs Preview 01:06

Dosage Includes for Drugs Preview 02:29

Too Add or Not to Add Preview 02:43

My Includes Preview 01:54

Reordering Includes Preview 01:12

Deleting Includes Preview 01:20

Section 8 Wrap-Up Preview 00:36

The dates glossaries can be drag and dropped directly into your glossary folder and then added as includes to you main glossaries. Make note of the shortcuts used to expand them and practice using them throughout your workday.

The Glossary Viewer (specific to Instant Text users only) 8 lectures

Deleting Entries Preview 01:59

Editing Entries Preview 00:49

The Typo Glossary Preview 02:51

Moving Entries Preview 00:53

Move It On Up!

Practice moving entries that share the same shortcut.

Search Function Preview 01:53

Treasure Hunt (specific to Instant Text users only.)

Use the search field to locate words and then choose the correct one from the multiple choice answers.

Section 9 Wrap-Up Preview 00:42

"Add Glossary Entry" Window (specific to Instant Text users only) 5 lectures

Adding Entries 101 Preview 02:09

Adding Your First Entry

Add your first entries using the keyboard shortcuts described in the previous lecture.

Display As Field Preview 00:57

Elements of the "Add Glossary Entry" Window

In this quiz, students will test their knowledge on the different elements in the Add Glossary Entry window that was discussed in this section.

Section 10 Wrap-Up Preview 00:56

Single Word Entries 7 lectures

Single Word Entries 101 Preview 03:01

The Right Combination (specific to Instant Text users only)

Populate an entry into the first line of the singles advisory by using the least amount of keystrokes.

Phrases in the Single Word Advisory Preview 01:17

Sound-a-Likes (specific to Instant Text users only) Preview 01:07

Practice with Sound-a-Like Comments

Add comments in the Display-As field for sound-a-like words.

Sticky Keys (may not be applicable to expanders other than Instant Text) Preview 00:48

Section 11 Wrap-Up Preview 00:40

Phrase Entries 17 lectures

Introduction to Phrase Entries Preview 01:01

Shortcut Method #1 Preview 03:13

Practice using Method #1

Try editing/adding a few entries using method #1 to get a feel for using this shortcut.

Shortcut Method #2 Preview 02:22

Practice using Method #2

Try editing/adding a few entries using method #2 to get a feel for this shortcut.

The Pros & Cons Preview 03:37

The Workshop (specific to Instant Text users only) Preview 01:41

Shorts For 3 or More Words Preview 03:07

Practice Populating Longer Entries.

Practice adding and populating longer phrases using shortcut method #1.

Hyphenated Entries (some parts specific to Instant Text users only) Preview 02:21

Patient Ages Preview 00:42

Comments for This and That (specific to Instant Text users only) Preview 01:19

Highlighting Entries (specific to Instant Text users only)

Practice highlighting parts of a phrase so it stands out from another one similar to it.

Continuations (specific to Instant Text users only) Preview 00:41

Getting Started with Shortcut Methods

Your Go-To Method

Practice adding entries to your main glossary using method 1 or method 2.

Section 12 Wrap-Up Preview 01:08

Unorthodox Entries 7 lectures

Words Ending in "X" Preview 02:51

Adding in the 'X'

Practice adding new entries for words commonly abbreviated with an 'x'.

Thinking Outside the Box Preview 02:52

Suffixes Preview 02:15

Adding Entries with Suffixes

Practice adding new entries for phrases or words that end with a suffix.

Time Frames Preview 01:53

Section Wrap-Up Preview 00:43

Medication and Dosing 6 lectures

Intro to Drug Entries Preview 01:37

Note: Although it is mentioned in this lecture that the medication lists are attached at the end of this section, they are now included here.

The two documents attached to this lecture are the following:

Medlist IT Glossary: A glossary/include containing additional meds not found in the Instant Text drugs glossary.
Med List Resource: A list of meds that act as a resource for those who use other text expanders.

Meds as a Single-Word Entry Preview 02:50

Meds as a Phrase Entry Preview 02:07

Adding Meds to Your Main Glossary - Why? Preview 01:14

This lecture is applicable to users of various expanders other than Instant Text in where any references made to "Medstart" are also in relation to any main glossaries used in other text expanders.

Dosing Schedules Preview 03:12

Comments for Meds (specific for Instant Text users only) Preview 01:31

Abbreviations and Acronyms 5 lectures

Abbreviations 101 Preview 02:20

Phrases with Abbreviations Preview 02:14

Expanding Abbreviations using the Convert Key Preview 02:07

Practice with the Convert Key

Practice using the convert key to expand abbreviations.

Section 15 Wrap-Up Preview 00:46

Surgical Entries 4 lectures

Creating a Surgical Glossary (specific to Instant Text users) Preview 01:46

Moving Entries to Surgical (specific to Instant Text users) Preview 01:59

Move 'em Out! (specific to Instant Text users)

Practice moving surgical entries out of Medstart and into the surgical glossary

Surgical Tools Preview 02:28

Labs and Investigations 6 lectures

Intro to Lab Entries Preview 01:59

Single-Letter Shorts for Labs Preview 01:47

Phrase Entries for Labs Preview 04:16

Comments for Labs (specific to Instant Text users) Preview 00:50

Units and Measurements Preview 01:43

Section Wrap-Up Preview 01:15

Diseases, Viruses, and Syndromes 5 lectures

Bacteria and Viruses Preview 03:02

Diseases and Disorders Preview 02:00

Cancer Staging Preview 02:31

Grading and Scores Preview 02:20

Section Wrap-Up Preview 00:43

Commands (specific to Instant Text users) 9 lectures

Introduction to Commands Preview 03:22

The Inner Workings of a Command Preview 02:08

Creating a Commands Glossary Preview 02:31

Word Replacement Commands - Part 1. Preview 02:55

Word Replacement Commands - Part 2. Preview 04:41

Punctuation Commands Preview 05:10

Cursor Commands Preview 01:12

Practice Working with Commands

Using the glossary provided, you will have an opportunity to practice working with the commands in it. Additional support and suggestions are provided at the end of each lesson to help prepare you towards the process of creating your own commands moving forward.

Section Wrap-Up Preview 00:42

After downloading and saving the attached glossary to your desktop, please make sure to unzip it. This can then be placed into your glossary folder using a drag-and-drop approach. You can then add it to your active glossaries (Medstart) as an include. For easy access to it during this section, you may keep it activated on your main screen interface by double clicking on the file in the glossary folder.

To practice what you've learned here, I highly recommend trying the assignment attached to this lecture which includes instructions and solutions that you might find helpful. Good luck!