Editing on Screen by Distance Learning
by Sally Hughes and Joan Angelbeck
Estimated study time:
At least 30 hours over 3 - 4 months
Price: £325
Download an enrolment form - opens in a new window (PDF - 51 KB)
This course will guide you through many of the techniques you will need as more and more editing is being undertaken on screen.
We are in an era of increasing technological advancement, and although the skills associated with the craft of editing remain largely the same, the way in which the work is done has changed greatly in the online environment. Editing on Screen will teach you all you need to know about editing on the computer, and the course will cover all the basics before moving to more complex issues. The programme consists of 7 units with self practice exercises and 3 formal assignments, which will be moderated by your assigned tutor.
Students need to have knowledge and/or experience of copy-editing prior to undertaking this course. Editing on Screen does not replace a first-level copy editing course, but should rather be seen as complementary to it. It is suitable for inexperienced on-screen editors, and for those who have already done some editing on screen, there are plenty of new tricks and an opportunity to consolidate your knowledge with the guidance of an experienced tutor.
All course materials for this programme are provided in electronic format and will be emailed to you in instalments as you progress through the course.
“I think the course gives a very good background and testing platform for those inexperienced in on-screen editing. It assumes a little knowledge of the copy-editing process, but those who wish to jump straight into on-screen editing, without prior knowledge, will benefit from the way that the course explains many aspects of the traditional copy-editing tasks, even if this means that they have to work harder on the assignments. For those already experienced in on-screen editing, and without having taken any other course available on the market, there is enough material that they will learn some new tricks as well as consolidate what they know.”
Freelance Student
Programme summary
- Computer system issues
- Setting up the Word environment
- Word processing skills
- Styles and codes/tags
- Advanced Editing features
- Customising the tool bar
- Macros
- Quick keys
- Templates
- Working in Outline and Document Map
- How to keep track of changes
- Typefaces and fonts
- Footnotes
- Using the Index facility
- Using the Contents-listing facility
- Comments
- Text in columns
- Word’s Table facility
- Identifying the keystrokes
- Planning the project
- Sequence of tasks
- Handing on the document
Editing on Screen - full programme ...
About the authors
Sally Hughes is a freelance trainer and consultant specialising in design and layout software, typography and document design. She has authored a report on the use of information technology in editorial practice and written a book 'Design and Typography in Easy Steps'.
Sally maintains close links with the publishing industry and provides in-house training to companies such as Oxford and Cambridge University presses, Lion Hudson plc and Elsevier. She holds a part time appointment as Senior Lecturer in the Department of Publishing at Oxford Brookes University.
Joan Angelbeck worked as an editor for Chapman & Hall and J M Dent on a range of tertiary and secondary books and journals. She was, for 12 years, the commissioning editor for the school Science and Maths programme of Edward Arnold.
In 1987 Joan became a freelance editorial consultant and project manager. Since then she has worked on educational materials at primary and secondary level and her clients include: Grisewood & Dempsey, Kingfisher Books, Longman, Macmillan, Thomas Nelson, Oxford University Press, Stanley Thornes, Overseas Development Administration, The National Literacy Strategy.
Joan taught the introductory Copy-Editing Skills course at The Publishing Training Centre at Book House for many years. She also developed and taught the first courses in Editing on Screen and Editing Scientific, Technical and Medical materials. She is now retired.
Your tutors
When you submit the first assignment, a tutor will be assigned to you. All tutors for Editing on Screen have a number of years' experience editing and/or proofreading on computer. They have all been carefully selected for their ability and level of experience.
Course fees
Editing on Screen by Distance Learning costs £325, which can be paid in instalments. This covers all course materials, marking of modules and professional tutor support. It does not cover the cost of telephone calls to your tutor. Please note that this course is available only in electronic format and will be emailed to students.
Money back guarantee
If, within 30 days of receiving your course materials (and before any assignments have been marked), you decide that the course is not for you, please contact us for a full refund.
Your Questions Answered
What IT equipment will I need?
The course notes have been prepared using Microsoft Word 2003 on a personal computer with the Windows operating system. You will probably find these materials useful if you are using an Apple Macintosh computer, or if you are using other versions of Microsoft Word or other word processing programmes, but the instructions may need to be interpreted as they may not match exactly the set-up of your computer and software.
Information Technology (IT) skills
This course is an introduction to editing on screen, it is not an introduction to the use of computers. We assume that you know how to do the following:
- work with electronic files sent to you as email attachments, downloaded from web sites or sent to you on CDs, DVDs, or other storage devices;
- copy files to folders on your computer;
- use a computer for simple word processing;
- use file management correctly to name files, save and place them within folders;
- connect to the internet and operate web browsers and email software.
There is an extensive terminology connected with using computers. A glossary explains some of the terms, in particular those that are used in different ways to what you may be used to, but we assume that you understand the basic editorial terms and have some experience of editing.
What happens when I enrol?
Once your payment has been received we will email you the first two units of Editing on Screen, along with the electronic copies of all the self-check exercises and the first assignment. You will then be able to start working through the course at your own pace. After you have sent in your first assignment, and it has been marked, we will send you the next two units, and so on.
What qualifications do I need?
There are no specific required qualifications, but to get the most out of the course you should have editorial experience.
Is the course certificate a recognised qualification?
Since the demise of the publishing NVQs, there is no generally accepted formal qualification in proofreading. If you complete this course successfully you will be awarded a graded certificate. We have been training publishing professionals for the past 30 years and we are the organisation appointed by the publishing industry to represent its views on skills and training to government, which means that your certificate of achievement should be widely recognised throughout the publishing industry.
Can I enrol if I live outside the UK?
Yes. We have had students from all over the world. As this course is supplied in electronic format only, the cost is not affected by your location.
When can I enrol?
You can enrol at any time of year.
How long will it take?
Although the course is designed to be flexible, it is anticipated that you will need 3-4 months to complete it. If you do not finish the course within a year, you will be offered the opportunity to study for a further 12 months following payment of a £20 re-registration fee. Any extensions beyond this are at the discretion of The Publishing Training Centre.
Is the course only for freelances?
No. If you already work in publishing, the course can supplement and consolidate in-company training or work experience.
Further questions?
You can request a brochure or call us on 020 8874 2718 with any further queries.
How to enrol
To enrol, download and print the PDF enrolment form (file size: 51 KB) and fax it to 020 8870 8985 or send it to the Publishing Training Centre, 45 East Hill, Wandsworth, London SW18 2QZ (to view PDFs you may need to download the Adobe Acrobat Reader).
Copyright
Any unlawful copying, trading, pirating or unauthorised use of this courseware will be construed as a breach of copyright and may result in prosecution.