Spanish-American Institute

235 Introduction to MS Word for Windows                                      80 classes

Prerequisite(s):  None

Textbooks:  Suzanne Weixel, Learning Microsoft Word, DDC Publishing, 2000 (or comparable text).

 

Course Description:  While developing English language skills, this course builds word processing speed and accuracy using Word through practice in the production of various kinds of business correspondence, of reports, of tabulations, and of forms from unarranged and rough-draft copy sources in English. 

 

Objectives:  By the end of the course, students should be able:

 

 

Instructional Methods:  Classes include language development and critical thinking sessions followed by hands-on practice and drills for speed and accuracy using WORD.  Students will complete periodic summary exercises that require application of all skills learned to date.  Each student will create a portfolio of finished output.

 

Grading:  The final grade is based on the following:

 

Class Participation

25%

Assignments

40%

Project

10%

Exams

25%

Total

100%

 

 

 

 

The grading scale is:  A=90-100%, B+=85-89%, B=80-84%, C+=75-79%, C=70-74%, D=65-69%, F=60-64%.  

Course Outline:         

Week

Topics

Assignments and Tests

1

Mapping the text:  looking at the book's layout and learning aids

Developing a vocabulary log with complete sentence definitions and illustrations.

Vocabulary guidelines:  write two complete sentences for each word, one that describes its meaning and one that gives an example of its use.

Language preparation:  basic direction words

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution. 

Introduction to Word:  starting the program, using the mouse and keyboard, understanding screen elements, and understanding application features.

Reading, discussing, and responding to a critical thinking activity with an original English language document. 

Developing a vocabulary log with complete sentence definitions and illustrations (according to guidelines provided by the instructor). 

Write at least five complete sentences beginning with direction words from the following list:   TBA

Exercises 1-5

 

 

2

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situation requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Creating, saving, and printing documents. 

Reading, discussing, and responding with an original English language document to a critical thinking activity. 

Transition words for giving directions.

Vocabulary log

Exercises 6-15

Turn any list of 4 or more directions from the chapter into a paragraph, using some or all of the following transition words:  first, next, then, after, last.    

3

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Opening and editing documents:  opening documents and editing them; inserting text; proofreading; copying and pasting; sending Word documents as e-mail.

Reading, discussing, and responding to a critical thinking activity with an original English language document.

Numerical transition words for giving directions. 

Vocabulary log

Turn any list of 5 or more directions in the text into a paragraph, using numerical transition words:  first, second, third, etc.

Exercises 16-23

4

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Formatting text:  setting tabs and alignment; changing fonts; highlighting text; and using symbols, bullets, and enumeration. 

Reading, discussing, and responding to a critical thinking activity with an original English language document. 

Vocabulary log

Exercises 24-30

5

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Formatting documents:  using alignment, line and paragraph spacing, and hyperlinks; setting margins; and creating and formatting a one-

page report.

Reading, discussing, and responding to a critical thinking activity with an original English language document. 

Vocabulary log

Exercises 31-35

6

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Managing documents:  previewing files and working with document properties; locating and printing a file or multiple files; finding files; and saving files as web pages. 

Reading, discussing, and responding to a critical thinking activity with an original English language document.

Vocabulary log

Exercises 36-42

7

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Using Tables to organize information:  creating tables and entering data; merging and splitting cells; moving and resizing tables; using tables in HTML. 

Reading, discussing, and responding with an original English language document to a critical thinking activity. 

Vocabulary log

 

Exercises 43-51

8

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Using Merge:  using Merge to create form letters, envelopes, and letters; doing mass mailings using Merge.

Reading, discussing, and responding with an original English language document to a critical thinking activity. 

Review for exam.

Vocabulary log

Exercises 52-56

Exam. 

9

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Producing multiple-page documents:  working with multi-page documents; using headers and footers and footnotes and endnotes; using outlines; inserting breaks; dragging and dropping text; creating bookmarks; and tracking changes.  

Reading, discussing, and responding to a critical thinking activity with an original English language document. 

Vocabulary log

Exercises 57-66

10

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Using Word's desktop publishing and automation features:  using columns, borders and shading, and text boxes; and using templates, wizards, and macros. 

 

Vocabulary log

Exercises 67-73

11

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situation requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Using Word's graphics capabilities:  enhancing Word documents with graphics objects, clip art, and AutoShapes; layering objects with text: and using an Internet simulation to download clip art from the Internet.

Reading, discussing, and responding to a critical thinking activity with an original English language document. 

Vocabulary log

Exercises 74-83

12

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Integrating Word with other applications:  copying information between programs, embedding and editing embedded objects; and embedding and merging with other Microsoft applications.

Reading, discussing, and responding to a critical thinking activity with an original English language document.   

Vocabulary log

Exercises 84-90

13

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situation requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Skill refinement combining critical thinking, application integration, and Internet skills:  using templates; retrieving Internet data; sending Web document via e-mail, downloading clip art, and other skills integration; recording a Macro for Mail Merge; etc.

Reading, discussing, and responding to a critical thinking activity with an original English language document. 

Vocabulary log

Exercises 91-97

14

Reading and discussing the unit's "On the Job" situations requiring a word processing activity or solution.

Advanced skills:  creating tables of content, indexes, charts, and forms; creating multiple versions of the same document; customizing toolbars; etc.   

Reading, discussing, and responding to a critical thinking activity with an original English language document. 

Vocabulary log

Exercises 98-104

15

Individual final project 

Project to be approved in advance by the instructor and developed following instructor guidelines

16

Individual final project

Continue work on final individual project.

Exam.   

 

rev. 2/04