Increasing Productivity Through Technology-Wrap up

"We're still not where we're going, but we're not where we were." ~Natasha Jasefowitz

The course on Increasing Productivity Through Technology wrapped up last week; how quickly the 5 weeks went by! In a nutshell, I highly recommend this class and encourage you to take it if increasing productivity is your goal. I feel this course was exactly what I needed to empower me with the knowledge to make a change in my overall productivity.

Oftentimes, when thinking of productivity, I was very limited in my focus of areas to increase (text expanders, templates). Realizing that productivity starts from the minute you fire up the PC (utilzing your start/quick view menus/toolbars), how you conduct research (books vs electronic), where you conduct research (unreliable vs reliable sites), are equally important to how proficient you are with your keyboarding techniques (Shortcut keys, explorer windows, dialog boxes).

The course structure was outlined very well, user friendly and when coupled with the course text, a large range of topics were certainly covered in great detail. The course text is one of the best I have seen. Each chapter is broken down into sections: basic information and then separate sections for XP and Vista, and incorporated critical thinking questions as well. It was helpful have XP and Vista separate in the text, as for me, having side by side examples in the webinar was confusing at times.

It was also a plus to have the author of the book, Laura Bryan, also moderate the class. She was professional, pleasant and made a point to interact via the forum/taking live questions during the class, which certainly made the hour and a half go by very quickly. You may find out additional information about Laura and the course here: Medical Transcription Education Center, Inc. - Learn And Work From Home - Online Training Continuing Ed, Increasing Productivity Through Technology. Feel free to check out MTWERKS on facebook as well, Facebook | MTWerks

My contacts at M-TEC were always helpful, professional and responded if not the same day, within 24 hours to emails and calls. Their forum for the class contained the course syllabus, which was posted weekly, a recording of each week's webinar so that you could view again, as well as an area for questions for the instructor. You may find more information about M-TEC and course selections here: Medical Transcription Education Center, Inc. - Learn And Work From Home - Online Training

If the course is not available, then the text is definitely worth the investment to add to your tools in being a proficient medical language specialist. You may find more information regarding the text here: Technology for the Medical Transcriptionist

I have already noticed that I am utilizing my keyboard more and my mouse much less. I still have daily struggles, but I feel now that I understand how best to utilize the short cut keys and text expanders, it is not as overwhelming and most importantly I now have the tools to help me overcome these hurdles.

What a "hidden gem" we have on our intranet with our MT Links page--this tool certainly is a time saver for me and I access it daily. The only other change I made to my daily research was adding in use of the website OneLook Dictionary Search Awesome results and definite time saver.

My focus now that class is over is to become more proficient with using all of the great techniques covered in class and know that by putting this information into practice every day, positive results will occur.

I want to thank you for being a part of this journey with me. Please feel free to email me at ginamedmond@aol.com with any questions you might have regarding any of the topics covered in the prior postings or any other productivity question that comes to mind.


"You are the most influential person in your life. There is nobody more effective at supporting your success--and nobody more effective at undermining it."~ Jeff Olson from the book, The Slight Edge.

Wishing you all continued success!
Gina