Strategies
- MSN for Real-Time Communication
- Monitor in portrait mode and high resolution
- Planning using yEd Graph
- Planning using OneNote
- Microsoft Word Table of Contents
- Reference Crib Sheet with EndNote
- Referencing using Idea Rover and EndNote
- Referencing using Microsoft Word 2007
- Spelling with Word, Babylon and Google
- Microsoft Word Templates
- Webcam and Live Messenger for collaboration
- Planning using Word and Texthelp
- Blackboard download files
- Braille note taking and writing
- Linearise layout of tables and presentations
- iPod downloads from lectures
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking for essay writing
- Google spell checker and Oxford dictionary
- Microsoft Word tables for references
- Changing font and icon sizes in Windows
- Scanning print documents
- Accessible Web page creation
- AutoText and Phrase Express
- Microsoft Word 2007 toolbar additions
- References from digital archives and EndNote
- Using the web to avoid self-plagiarism
- Podcasts of lectures
- Blogging to reflect on my PhD
- Microsoft PowerPoint for ordering thoughts
- WebCat and collecting References
- Microsoft Word highlighter colours
- Dragon NaturallySpeaking to get the ideas going
- Mind mapping for note taking
- Balancing text in columns
- Dictionary.com when Word fails
- CiteULike for references
- Inspiration for planning a case study
- Microsoft Templates and Outlook for CV writing
- Dim screen for note taking in lectures
- AutoSummarise for cutting word limits
- Digital versions of information easier than books
- Sticky Notes in Vista on a TabletPC
- Wikipedia for meanings
- Word clouds for key points
- Dictionary.com for word finding difficulties
- IEEE plug-in for Word Reference Tool
- Visual Thesaurus
Microsoft Word
6 Keywords: Microsoft Word, Word Processing, Written Work, Dissertations, Essays, Assignments
Microsoft Word is one of the well known word processing packages that has a vast number of options for creating text documents with graphics, tables, columns and many other formats, forms and templates.
Many universities offer advice about the use of Microsoft Word 2003 but here is a free text based tutorial on Word 2007 from the Baycon Group. and Microsoft have 'How tos' and tutorials on their educational web site. There is also a section on templates and clip art.
Links
- Accessibility options built into Microsoft Products
There are many accessibility features built into the Microsoft Office products although they do not all work in the same way and differ between versions. Keyboard shortcuts, colour changes and zooming in to magnify items are included along with basic screen reading for menus and start up.
- Computer related injuries and how to avoid them
Infinite Innovations Ltd provide information about computer related injuries and how to avoid them. Has a useful reminder software package that appears on the screen to help users avoid RSI and other problems.
- Configuring MS Word 2003 for a screen reader
This web page provides users of screen readers with some very useful hints as to how to make MS Word 2003 more accessible.
- CourseGenie guide
This is a CourseGenie guide using the actual program to show how the layout looks and what additional elements can be added over time.
- Creating accessible Word documents
Webaim provide instructions on how to make Word documents web ready and usable with screen readers and for Braille printing. The offer guidelines for structure, adding tables and saving in HTML.
- Making your computer speak using text to speech
"With the right software a computer can turn text into a spoken voice. Known as text-to-speech (or sometimes TTS), this tool is one of the most valuable uses of a computer for users with dyslexia or other reading difficulties as it helps them access the written word independently and develop reading skills. Text from web pages, documents, email or other files can be read aloud using text to speech technology." Iansyst
- On-line Guide to Grammar and Style - research level
"The Internet Grammar of English is an online course in English grammar written primarily for university undergraduates. However, we hope that it will be useful to everyone who is interested in the English language. IGE does not assume any prior knowledge of grammar." University College London - funded by JISC.
- WordTalk download and information - Call Centre
"WordTalk is a free plug-in developed for use with all versions of Microsoft Word (from Word 97 upwards), which can help people with reading difficulties use Microsoft Word more effectively. It will speak the text of the docume
- Writing Accessible Electronic Documents with Microsoft Word
The TechDis Accessibility Essentials Guide for Writing Accessible Electronic Documents with Microsoft Word has been divided into the following two sections: Authoring Accessible Documents and Accessibility and Usability Gains for Authors
- 10 Tips for making Word documents Braille and Speech ready
Technovision have provided "10 very basic rules for making a Word document so it will look good and make good Braille, Large Print, DAISY, PDFaccessible to everybody"
- Accessible Web Publishing Wizard for Microsoft Office
"The Accessible Web Publishing Wizard for Microsoft Office provides a simple way to create highly accessible and standards compliant web versions of Office documents that are more accessible and usable by everyone, including people with disabilities." The wizard is easy to use and offers text versions of the documents alongside graphical versions. The application does not at present work with Vista or Microsoft Office 2007.
- Keyboard shortcuts for Windows
This is a long list of Windows applications that allow for the use of shortcut keyboard strokes for access and when working within documents or for databases and web pages etc. They tend to be require a combination of two keys pressed simultaneously.
- Advantages of Portrait and Pivoting Monitors for Desktop Publishing
"In word processing and desktop publishing, the portrait or full-page monitor has distinct advantages. The bulk of the material - books, newsletters, fliers, etc. - that we produce has a portrait orientation. With these vertical monitors it's easier to see the entire page without scrolling and without zooming out so far that the content is unreadable." About.com
