This blog post will focus on a recently delivered session – Word: Formatting Long Documents, which is part of the new Digital Workplace Technologies offer.

What were the objectives of the session?

This session focused on using the features of Microsoft Word to put together long documents or formal reports, including using styles, creating tables of contents, applying section footers and working collaboratively with master documents.

Formatting long documents can be tricky, particularly when working with multiple pages  of text, figures and tables. This session aimed to navigate staff through the features of Microsoft Word that will successfully enable them to create a professional document that is clearly organised, structured and accessible. Page numbering can also make many people apprehensive, especially when you need the first few pages to be in Roman numerals and the rest of your document in Arabic numbers. Again, this session aimed to guide staff through this process, with lots of opportunities to practice and ask questions.

The session

This type of session lasts 60 minutes and enables staff to cover many areas of Microsoft Word and put their new knowledge into practice.

At the end of the session staff should be able to do the following in Microsoft Word:

• Use styles to apply headings to a document
• Create a table of contents for a document
• Add captions and create a table of figures
• Use section breaks and apply section formatting
• Add custom headers and footers
• Work collaboratively on a document
• Work with master documents and subdocuments

The session took place in Oak room, Catalyst and provided staff with the opportunity to use computers to have a go themselves at formatting long documents. Modelling examples on the board, staff could then follow steps to format several long documents.

Personal Reflection Activity

At the start of the session I asked staff to write down on a post-it note how they currently felt about formatting long documents.

Staff responded with a variety of feelings towards the prospect of formatting long documents, with many using this session as an opportunity to develop their skills and refresh their current knowledge. 

After the session I asked staff to complete the same activity, instead now writing down how they feel after the session about the prospect of formatting long documents. The responses were dramatically different, with many staff feeling more confident, happier and sorted!

Members of staff said:

“A very clear and informative delivery while maintaining a friendly approachable setting.”

“It was brill and really informative! I found it really helpful.”

Upcoming Sessions

If you are a member of staff and are interested in improving your knowledge of formatting long documents on Microsoft Word, then take a look below at the upcoming sessions.

Tuesday 9th April 2019 2pm-3pm

Tuesday 16th April 2019 11am-12pm

Book your session on MyView here.

Stay up-to-date with our latest developments on our blog and WIKI.

Written by: Laura Riella

Digital Capabilities Coordinator

As part of the Digital Workplace Technologies offer, we have created 8 pathways for staff to explore. These pathways have been specifically designed to allow staff to enhance their knowledge in that area in more depth.

The pathways include:

• Digital Productivity
• Digital Communication
• Digital Collaboration
• Digital Creation
• Digital Wellbeing
• Digital Proficiency
• Digital Participation
• Digital Learning and Teaching Technologies

Focus on … Digital Creation.

Digital images, infographics, videos, presentations and photographs are just some of the ways digital creativity can be expressed. Digital creation is the ability to create, use and evaluate digital technologies, designing digital materials to present and communicate information.

These sessions aim to provide staff with the opportunity to design and create digital materials, to communicate information, to learn about new pieces of creative software and to develop new digital talents.

Upcoming Digital Creation Sessions

Picktochart

Infographics are visually engaging ways to present information quickly and clearly, allowing people to learn about a topic without too much heavy reading. They often contain images and charts and do not use lengthy amounts of text. Piktochart is an online program which allows the free creation of infographics. This session will look at using Piktochart to create infographics which contain text, charts, images and videos and look at how these can be shared via print and online methods.

Thursday 28th March 2019 – 10am-11am

Friday 24th May 2019 – 11am-12pm

Book your session on MyView here.

PowToon

This session will introduce staff to the animated presentation software PowToon and explore the different features available for adding text, images, audio files and applying animations.

Tuesday 16th April 2019 – 2pm-3pm

Monday 3rd June 2019 – 11am-12pm

Book your session on MyView here.

Sway

This session will cover the basics of using Sway, a presentation software available as part of Office 365. Staff will learn how to navigate the application, how to add, edit and embed material, and how to publish their finished presentations.

Monday 25th March 2019 – 1pm-2pm

Wednesday 3rd April 2019 – 3pm-4pm

Book your session on MyView here.

Prezi

This session will look at using Prezi as an alternative way to create engaging and interactive presentations. This session will allow staff to create, design and share online presentations.

Friday 5th April 2019 – 11am-12pm

Book your session on MyView here.

Stay up-to-date with our latest developments on our blog and WIKI.

Written by: Laura Riella

Digital Capabilities Coordinator

The new Digital Workplace Technologies offer has officially launched! This is an exciting new programme that aims to provide all staff with a clear pathway to increase and enhance their digital knowledge and capabilities.

Learning Services aims to provide staff at Edge Hill University with a high-quality learning and development experience, enhancing staff digital capabilities through a variety of staff development sessions, online guides and resources. It is central to our vision that staff are challenged, engaged and supported throughout their digital learning journey.  

The new structure will allow staff to follow digital pathways based on their training needs. Within each pathway staff will have the opportunity to be actively engaged in face-to-face sessions, access online guides/resources and suggested courses on LinkedIn Learning.

These pathways include:

• Digital Productivity
• Digital Communication
• Digital Collaboration
• Digital Creation
• Digital Wellbeing
• Digital Proficiency
• Digital Participation
• Digital Learning and Teaching Technologies

For staff who are new to Edge Hill University we have designed a specific pathway that we would recommend following that will allow staff to gain confidence with the digital technologies being used in the workplace and provide them with the skills to work effectively in their job role. ‘New to EHU: Digital Newcomer’ is categorised according to your job role (Academic and Support). These pathways consist of recommended core digital workplace technology sessions that will support you as you progress at Edge Hill University.

Additionally, to recognise staff achievements we are introducing a personalised digital badge initiative, which aims to celebrate staff members personal accomplishments and successes.

As we continue to evolve and develop throughout 2019, our approach will be to continually assess and evaluate our offer, ensuring that we are providing staff with the best opportunities to develop.

Stay up-to-date with our latest developments on our blog and WIKI.

Written by: Laura Riella

Digital Capabilities Coordinator