Participants will experiment with a variety of MSWord functions throughout the writing process in a simulated writing workshop. The workshop ultimately aims, however, to prompt the participants to explore and develop similar approaches within their local contexts. Writing instructors have always had to be resourceful when using software that was not intended specifically for teaching, but the latest word processors are so robust and powerful that they can be remarkably effective. There is no substitute for extensive individual, hands-on development. This workshop will focus on clever and resourceful uses of MSWord, but participants should be aware that using MSWord in a course also requires attention to teaching and orchestrating basic operations such as using pull-down menus, naming files consis tently, and saving work properly.
More students are likely to have ready access to less specialized software.
Many campuses are legislating standard software, file formats, and platforms for their operations, making it more feasible to develop teaching that relies on consistent, coordinated computer configurations.