Shorthand tutors visit Twitter HQ for 2019 shorthand seminar

Shorthand tutors from across the UK have visited Twitter’s London offices for this year’s NCTJ shorthand seminar.

The annual event brings tutors up-to-date with key issues and developments in shorthand training and qualifications.

Andy Martin, associate editor of the Bournemouth Echo and chair of the NCTJ journalism qualifications board, gave the opening address.

He said: “So much has changed in journalism but what hasn’t is the importance of shorthand. It remains a fundamental reporting skill.”

Members of the NCTJ’s shorthand board ran workshops throughout the day, including a session which gave tutors the opportunity to share shorthand resources they find useful to their teaching.

A short video on marketing shorthand and engaging the new generation of students in a changing industry was also presented.

Following the recent move to online shorthand assessments, tutors were given an in-depth introduction to the accessing, creating and marking exams in the Cirrus platform.

Attendees also had the opportunity to have their questions answered in a Q&A and open forum with the NCTJ exams team.