Transcribe a lecture
We are in need of volunteers to aid in the transcription of lectures. This is a simple process of typing verbatim the words of an audio lecture. We also have transcribed lectures that need to be proofread, edited, and corrected.
Instructions
- To volunteer to make a transcription, pick a lecture from the list. Please do not ask us to assign one to you, or say "any." Use the link below in order to request transcribing your chosen lecture. It is important to do this to ensure we do not have multiple people working on the same lecture, thus avoiding unnessary work. We remove assigned lectures from the list as soon as they are assigned, so the list is usually accurate. Alternatively, since some transcribers never complete their task, there are lectures in the courses that are not on this list. If you find a lecture that does not have a transcription, write to us at the link below.
- Download your chosen lecture, play it, and type in the spoken text as accurately as possible. The lecture can be transcribed as any basic text format (txt, doc, rtf, etc). NOTE: Please do not use dictation software; it is highly inaccurate, and the time it takes to correct is far longer than the time it takes to type the lecture manually! (If dictation software worked, we would not need volunteers to make transcriptions.)
- We appreciate light editing, such as excluding coughs, "ums," misspoken words, and other unimportant aspects of speech. It is also helpful if contractions are expanded (make "You're" into "You are.")
- Completed lectures can be emailed to us. Use the button below this list to submit your transcription request to us.
Awaiting Transcription:
To communicate with us about transcriptions, including submitting completed texts, use this link:
Currently, all lectures are in the process of being transcribed or edited.
Answers to Frequent Questions:
How much time do I have to supply the transcriptions?
As a result of the frequency with which requested lectures are left unfinished, we have decided to place a limit of 3 months from the day that the volunteer receives the lecture. If you are unable to complete the lecture in that time, due to any reason, please send us the work that you have completed up to that point.
I don't know some of the words used. What should I do?
The instructors always read them to make additions, corrections, etc, so just place something there in cases where you cannot understand what is being said, so the instructor will see that he needs to clarify it. You can either write out something phonetic, or estimate the word as best you can. It also helps to place it in [brackets]. You can also refer to the online Glossary.
Do the instructors give feedback on the quality of the transcriptions?
When the transcriptions are completed they are usually placed on the GnosticTeachings website. In most cases, they are posted online within a week or so. Exceptions may occur if the instructor wants to use the transcription for something else or if he or she simply has not had time to read it. As for feedback, the lecturers are primarily concerned with simply getting the information typed; completing a transcription is the primary mark of quality they look for, so if you complete a lecture, you get a grade of "A+"!