A lecturer at the University of Portsmouth has created an app that helps students to learn shorthand wherever they are.
Gill Wray, a tutor in shorthand, has developed the app which can be viewed on PC, tablet or phone, and is the only programme available anywhere in the world to help students revise the basics of teeline shorthand.
There is also a dictation section, with Gill reading sentences at 60, 70 and 80 words per minute, and a revision guide.
The site is still being added to on a regular basis.
“Students are always saying they don’t have enough time to do their revision, but with this app they can revise on the bus, on the train, or in between lectures. They really have no excuse!” says Gill.
“We are even going to send the link to prospective students so they can start to learn their trade before they start at the University”.
Gill developed the app alongside Emily Bennett and Pete Sparkes, online course developers who had the technical skills to make the idea a reality.
Gill says: “I first came up with the idea two years ago after a conversation with a student. However the technology at the University’s disposal at the time meant that it was not possible to create the app.
“The installation of a new virtual learning environment at the University meant that the creation of the app was now possible.”
Students take a test that involves seeing a shorthand symbol and choosing the meaning from two options at the bottom of the screen.
Each small test takes two minutes to complete, with students being allowed five seconds to guess each symbol. If the student gets them all right, they are allowed to advance to the next level.
According to Gill: “Shorthand is an essential skill for journalists to learn. It greatly helps them to secure a job in the future, so anything that aids their learning in this subject can only be a good thing”.
You can view the app here