Comments on: The Great Dictator http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/10/03/the-great-dictator/ "We learn from our experience.....if we reflect upon our experience" John Dewey Tue, 02 Dec 2008 05:44:19 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Don Ledingham http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/10/03/the-great-dictator/#comment-8811 Don Ledingham Sun, 07 Oct 2007 07:21:48 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/10/03/the-great-dictator/#comment-8811 Jim - it is a skill and just like any other it takes time, perseverence and practise. I'd really encourage you to give it a go. I bought my first tape dictation machine about seven years ago and I was hopeless. Most of the drafts I got back to check needed serious amendment but not any more. I can now go straight into dictating a letter of a report without notes but in the past I used to sketch it out in linear form, or use a rough mind map to make sure I'd covered all the points. Most administrative staff I've worked with have welcomed the chance to extend their skills - it's definitely a partnership. If you want to save time - and be able to focus on the most important parts of your job - i.e. improving learning and teaching - then it's worth giving it a shot. Jim - it is a skill and just like any other it takes time, perseverence and practise. I’d really encourage you to give it a go. I bought my first tape dictation machine about seven years ago and I was hopeless.

Most of the drafts I got back to check needed serious amendment but not any more. I can now go straight into dictating a letter of a report without notes but in the past I used to sketch it out in linear form, or use a rough mind map to make sure I’d covered all the points.

Most administrative staff I’ve worked with have welcomed the chance to extend their skills - it’s definitely a partnership.

If you want to save time - and be able to focus on the most important parts of your job - i.e. improving learning and teaching - then it’s worth giving it a shot.

]]> By: Jim Mcdougall http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/10/03/the-great-dictator/#comment-8810 Jim Mcdougall Sat, 06 Oct 2007 23:18:55 +0000 http://edubuzz.org/blogs/donsblog/2007/10/03/the-great-dictator/#comment-8810 I always imagine dictating a letter is a bit of a skill in itself- I find it relatively easy to compose a letter on print, but I always seem to stumble when trying to dictate something, and rarely do it; the words seem stilted...any tips? (apart from having a good PA!) I always imagine dictating a letter is a bit of a skill in itself- I find it relatively easy to compose a letter on print, but I always seem to stumble when trying to dictate something, and rarely do it; the words seem stilted…any tips? (apart from having a good PA!)

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