Microsoft Word
We will primarily use Microsoft Word to complete most of our major writing projects. If you prefer using other word processing software, you are welcome to do so under one condition: either convert the file into a .doc file or .pdf file when you submit it.
If you do not have Microsoft Word on your device or if you have a really old version, you should get your free access to the latest version through Baruch. To do so, go to the Baruch Computing and Technology Center’s (BCTC) page for free downloads for students.
Microsoft has several great resources for tutorials on how to learn how to use Word if you are unfamiliar. This tutorial is the first one on creating a document, but you can find several others on all sorts of ways to use Word (e.g., changing fonts, adding page numbers, formatting spacing). I am ALWAYS available to help you with any questions about Word (or any software or platform we use in the course.
NOTE: You may be using a device that has trouble running Microsoft Office (I know Chromebook, for instance might have issues since it runs from the browser). If this is the case, you can use https://onlinelabs.baruch.cuny.edu/#/ to run Office among other programs that you would be able to use at the physical computer lab. If this is too complicated, let me know, and we can just work through Google Docs for you during the semester.
Adobe Reader
I don’t think you have free access to the Adobe Creative Cloud, which would include a more advanced version of Adobe Reader. But, for this course, you don’t really need all the bells and whistles of the more advanced version.
Adobe Reader is free, and you can download it through this link. You DO NOT need Adobe Reader for this course, as whatever device you have should have some ability to work with pdfs (e.g., Microsoft Edge for PCs). That said, as noted in the annotation discussion we recently had, I was working from Adobe Reader’s functionality for making annotations and highlighting. Other pdf readers should have some way to annotate and highlight, and if you prefer to use them and you are having trouble figuring that out, I am more than happy to help you out, so let me know.
Before moving on, complete the following task:
In a comment below, do one of the two:
- Tell me about any questions you have or something you are really confused about when using Microsoft Word, Adobe Reader, or any other writing processing or reading software that you have used or want to use this semester.
- Tell me something you find helpful or interesting about writing across different modalities: a word processor on a computer like Microsoft Word, pen/pencil and paper, writing on a smartphone, writing on a tablet, writing with chalk, writing with various art supplies (e.g., marker, paintbrush), or anything else.
After commenting, click the below button to continue:
When converting a Google doc file to Microsoft word, the spacing for some writing get messed up. Why does it do that?
I don’t have a full answer, but most likely, since these are different programs, they might be structured in ways that do not code the formatting in the same way or even have the same formatting capabilities.
There isn’t really any issues for me, I am very familiar with these software’s and have used them before. I do like how Microsoft word saves your documents so you can have it with you wherever you go.
– Daniel Ivezic
I personally do not have any issues with any writing or reading softwares. I find writing on my smartphone to be really helpful because I can take some quick notes or write out something on the go wherever I go since I have my phone on me most of the time. Great for typing out some work on the due date and can not carry a laptop or tablet with you.
I do not have any issues with Microsoft. My preference when it comes to annotating would be handwriting it or typing it.
These software applications have become very helpful apart from pen and paper because its portable and would not get crumbled. You can do a paper or research at the palm of the hand. Yet, using pen and paper helps the brain store information better.
I have been primarily using Google docs/drive since it launched, then converting those documents into word. I have done this because I like the security of knowing my document is being continuously updated and the ease of being able to access documents from any device. For personal writings, I carry a journal around with me everywhere (seriously, everywhere, even on nights out). I love the feeling of pen on paper and have found I am more honest with myself in that medium.
I tried to save my file on both my laptop and OneDrive but when I did so it turned off autosave I would like to know if there’s any solution to that issue? I’ve noticed that digital writings are usually more secure as there’s almost no way you can lose them especially with the ability to store them into cloud storage, but i find handwriting to be much better for taking notes since it’s just what I’ve gotten used to and it helps with retaining the information.
I’m not sure, but something I do to be double-secure is to just make sure I right click “copy” on an important document I am working on and then “paste” it into my OneDrive folder. I don’t do auto-save, though, because I don’t want everything saved on OneDrive since it is a finite space that I could easily use up if I saved everything there. I also use an external hard drive where I put everything periodically.
I have always used google docs in high school and am not too familiar with word. I don’t think It should be too hard to figure out and you can always draft something in docs and then export it as a word file. I personally like to use docs over all other writing modalities. Maybe this is because I have trouble reading my own handwriting… I also find that you can utilize many helpful tools on docs like synonyms, and spelling. It also helps writing on a computer because you are able to quickly look something up if you need to.
I feel that writing using technology is much neater and even sometimes easier than handwriting things. However, there are times when you would want to handwrite things over typing them out, such as notes. I prefer typing as I type much faster than I can write.
I prefer using a word processor like Microsoft word because of my terrible hand writing. I enjoy the ability to format my documents in different ways and the ability to grammar and spell check.
Writing across different modalities can give someone a lot of insight into how a person most effectively produces work or learns. There are well known studies published within the professional psychological literature that suggest people memorized information that they wrote better compared to information that they typed. So if someone notices they produce better results hand-writing something as opposed to typing a piece of writing they should consider sticking to doing handwritten work. Personally, I’ve found typing on google docs to be best for the way I work because it offers a good balance between efficiency and productivity when compared to a mode like hand-writing.
I am pretty familiar with these apps, I have used them before. I would say that I know how to maneuver better with google docs, this is because I have used it so much in the past.
I’ve always used Google Docs in schools outside of NYC, so it’s just a relief that in College we at least didn’t have to pay up front for Microsoft Applications.
While Microsoft has been the traditional go to word processor, many people have since moved onto Google Docs due to its efficiency and convenience with teamwork. For Adobe Reader, I’ve never had any experience with it and am interested in trying it out. So far however, I’ve been on a Mac platform and their Preview app works really well as a PDF editor and annotation system and will most likely continue doing so if Adobe Reader doesn’t prove to be more efficient.
Posted on Eman’s behalf: “- I am very comfortable with using these programs and shouldn’t have any trouble navigating them. I always liked typing better than handwriting because it’s more comfortable for me. “
I by far prefer typing things out onto a computer since it’s oftentimes much faster than any other alternative be it a touch screen or pen. The thing I like about writing things by hand however is that it forces you to think more about every word a little more carefully since you’re forced to gesture out the literal letter with your fingers rather than pressing a button. It’s better for studying or trying to commit things to memory than typing is.
Posting for Sofy: I have difficulty understanding how I can get Adobe reader on my iPad, since that is what I work off of. However, I cannot tell you which I prefer in terms of writing. I love pen and paper, but I have learned to love using word, or google docs as well. I think it is easier to type because there is less risk of error and wastes less paper. However, I really feel the connection between me and what I am writing when I write on paper, specifically for notes. I can’t do notes on my iPad
I don’t mind using Microsoft Word but I have been using Google Docs pretty much because I don’t have Word in my laptop. The link for the free download of Microsoft Word isn’t working either.
Hi Darian. You don’t have to use Word, I just prefer getting assignments as either .doc files or .pdf files when submitted through Blackboard (of course, this is not important for assignments posted to this course website that we are currently on). So, if you are having trouble with Word, just submit as pdf files when assignments have to be submitted to Blackboard and you will be fine. If you do want Word for another reason, I would contact BCTC for help.
I mainly use google docs but I don’t have any problems with setting up Microsoft Word. When I annotate and take notes, I use my iPad with the Apple Pencil. I find it convenient because you can write your notes on the form of a digital file and have easy access to them. I use the OneNote app developed by Microsoft so it syncs in all my files which makes it easy to transfer and send.
I’ve always been used to using google docs so i probably wont use word but its always good to have the option.