Course description
In this hands-on workshop, learners will get an introduction to the application Transkribus. They will gain insight into the main features of the application: how to create collections of digital images of historical documents, how to add metadata, how to navigate the workspace, how to share collections and manage users. They will acquire a basic understanding of machine learning for handwritten text recognition (HTR) and how to use public HTR models for their work. Building upon this, learners can train their own model for layout and text recognition.
In the morning, we will focus on getting used to the Transkribus web application and how to create and manage your own collection of digital images. We will look into how HTR works and what can - and cannot - be achieved through automatic text recognition with Transkribus.
In the afternoon, we will have time for working on our own materials. You will do an automatic layout detection on a few pages of digital images and practice manual correction of layout features. We will then walk you through the text recognition process, and you can continue working with your materials. Since the text recognition might take some time, there will be example materials provided that participants can work on.
We will round of the workshop with a discussion of participants' projects and plan a follow-up session for those who are interested.
Target audience
Researchers and research support staff who work with historical handwritten documents or historical prints.
Learning outcomes
- Foundational knowledge of the functionality of the web application.
- Basic understanding of how handwritten text recognition (HTR) works - practiced. creating collections and user management.
- Practiced layout detection and manual layout adjustment.
- Practiced text recognition using a public HTR model.
- Practiced manual correction of automatic text recognition.
- Understanding how to prepare for and execute an HTR model training.
Prerequisites and required materials
- The workshop has no prerequisites.
- A laptop with stable WiFi and a modern browser like Google Chrome, Firefox, or MS Edge is necessary.
- Learners may bring digital images of texts, like manuscripts, historical prints, etc., to work on.
Lunch
- There will be a complementary buffet-lunch at 12:00-13:00 from the Sverdrups spiseri (Georg Sverdrups Hus, 2nd floor).
- After you get your lunch, join us at Store møterom where we have reserved seats for #DSDays25 participants.
Number of participants
After the soft deadline, a waiting list will be automatically handled upon de-registrations.
Contact
If you have any questions regarding this course, or anything else about the DSDays25 event, please contact us per email: digitalscholarship@ub.uio.no
Sign up for this workshop!