The University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is consistently ranked among the best public colleges in the U.S., earning its distinction as a Public Ivy. The university had been working with a transcription and captioning vendor to provide students with access to their abundant audio and video content. However, manual processes, slow turnaround time and high costs spurred the search for a solution upgrade.
George H. Michaels
Executive Director Instructional Development,
The University of California, Santa Barbara
"After considering a number of different solutions, we chose Verbit because of the superior accuracy, turnaround time and cost they offered. It’s been a definite game-changer for us."
The Challenge
UCSB prioritizes success for all students, regardless of ability or disability, learning style preference, or mastery of the language of instruction. They were looking to find a solution that would enhance academic results, maintain compliance with regulations like the ADA and enable a move towards Universal Design for course content.
They needed to eliminate:
Inefficient, manual processes
Slow delivery speed
High operating costs
The Solution
To help UCSB optimize its transcription and captioning operations, Verbit provided an innovative three-step transcription method consisting of an initial machine learning pass and two levels of human supervision.
This provided UCSB with:
Intuitive Interface: Total visibility into the transcription and captioning process
Greater Efficiency: Customized integration with the Panopto video streaming platform
Accelerated Speed: Automating the majority of the process reduced turnaround time
Higher Accuracy: Technology is pre-trained with specific terms related to the course material
Reduced Costs: Less money spent without compromising on speed or quality
The Results
Faster Turnaround Time
Automating the majority of the transcription and captioning process ensured speedy service.
“We usually receive our completed files from Verbit in less than 24 hours, which is critical for our students who rely on these materials to succeed in their classes.”
Near-Perfect Accuracy
A combination of automated speech recognition technology and top human transcribers delivered unparalleled quality.
“Verbit consistently maintained a high level of precision, even for files that contained complex subject matter or heavily accented speakers.”
Streamlined Workflow
Seamless integration with UCSB’s video streaming partner, Panopto, ensured a smooth overall process.
“The solution allows us to upload or download files in a single step, meaning we don’t need to devote excessive time or resources towards managing the captioning process.”
Lower Price
More automation and a competitive cost structure allowed UCSB to lower its total cost of operation for transcription and captioning services.
“We get the accuracy and turnaround time we need without extending our budget or compromising on our requirements. It’s a win-win.”
George H. Michaels
Executive Director Instructional Development,
The University of California, Santa Barbara
“Verbit made sure that the switch to their solution was completely painless. Their customer service team was with us every step of the way and made sure we were maximizing the use of the platform. We’re now better-equipped to fully support all of our students to achieve academic success, which is our number one priority at UCSB.”
