Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Office is a fantastic computer package that includes extremely useful software applications for learners and teachers to use.

I have, like my peers, an extensive amount of experience in Microsoft Word. Ever since I was required to hand-in assignments that were written through ‘Word’ in school, I have seen myself to be fully competent in the software. However, when I had a one week lecture on ICT in University October 2015 I discovered that there are actually still quite a few skills to learn such as using the ‘References’ tab to quickly and efficiently create citations and reference lists. I then used this skill that was extremely useful for my second University assignment.

In terms of Microsoft Office, there are many software applications that come with the package:

Word –

In terms of my teaching, Word has obviously been used for several reasons, ranging from very important matters to small daily chores. Since my teaching placement I have;

1.   Used a blank Word document to create a draft lesson plan.

2.   Create assignment guides for my students.

3.   Set-up step by step tasks that the class must follow to achieve learning outcomes.

4.   Type-up answers from the class to collate information in front of the group.

PowerPoint –

In terms of my teaching, I have thus far used PowerPoint religiously on a daily basis. I know the term ‘death by PowerPoint’ but I think this only relates to when the presentations have too much or irrelevant information on them. The reason why my teaching placement mentors and I use presentations so much, is because it is such an easy way to input information that needs to be covered for any subject AKA from sports development to sports physiology.

An example of a PowerPoint Presentation made in class:

Excel –

I must say that this software, from a learning and teaching point of view, has been the least used by me. The only time I have ever really used Excel was to create a more professional invoice that calculated my monthly salary for a trainee manager job of a large indoor tennis centre. During my teaching placement, I have not seen it used on a daily basis, but I can see it is used to create timetables due to the amount of information required e.g. times, staff name, module numbers etc. If I was to use Excel in the future it would be to create invoices, timetables and perhaps other documents that require an extensive amount of information.

Email –

In terms of Microsoft or ‘Outlook’ email, my teaching placement organisation uses this email network to provide its students and teachers with email addresses with sufficient storage for attachments etc. I have put my Gower College email address on every assignment that I set just in case the students would like to ask me a question. This has been the case several times and has offered the learner support at any time away or during term time.