Realtime Rumba

Stephen Shastay

            This drill combines the accurate timing of the Drill Machine with the feedback that writing realtime gives you.  The emphasis is on clarity of strokes.  Your CAT software will keep you in line as far as that goes.  When you do write accurately, then the Drill Machine will allow you to raise the speed as needed.  It’s a win/win situation.  You will gain speed and clarity.

Setup

1.      Select a piece of drill material. 

2.      Right click on your desktop.  Select “New.”  Then select “Text document.”  Do not use a Word document, but a WordPad or Notepad file is acceptable.

3.      Write the drill.  You only need 100 words for an extended drill session. 

4.      Save the drill and close the file.

CAT Software

1.      Connect your writer to your computer

2.      Open your CAT program.

3.      Start realtime.

4.      Minimize the program.  That means to click the little button that looks like an underline or a dash.  You find this on the upper-right side of your screen.  If you can’t find it, go to the bottom of the screen.  On the same line as the Start button will be an entry or icon for your CAT program.  Right click on the entry for your CAT software and select “Minimize.”

5.      You should now see your desktop.  

Drill Machine

1.      Open Drill Machine.

2.      Load the drill that you wrote.

3.      Select a very low speed. 

Drilling

1.      You now have your CAT software ready to write realtime.  You have it minimized, but it will still work.

2.      The Drill Machine is on your screen and ready to drill.

3.      Click Start on the Drill Machine to start the drill.

4.      Write for accuracy.  If you must slow down the drill, do so now.

5.      Write the drill once.

6.      Upon completing the drill, go to the bottom of your monitor screen and left click on the entry for your CAT software.

7.      Your CAT program will be maximized, and it will show you the translation of your drill.  Make all dictionary definitions.

8.      Write the drill again.  This time your CAT software should be able to translate 100 percent of your drill.

9.      Grade your work.

a.       One point for each correct word.

b.      Minus ten points for each word that does not translate correctly.

10.   Minimize the CAT software again so that the Drill Machine is once again on your screen.

11.  Increase the speed of the drill by ten words per minute if your score was above zero.  Decrease your speed by twenty words per minute if your score was below zero.

12.  Concentrate on the accuracy

This drill will teach you the importance of accuracy.  It will point out any problems with fingering the outlines or with attention to detail.

The Speed Teacher is packed with drills on almost any kind of words.