Software Skills

Although I, like the vast majority of my college peers, have used Microsoft Office since junior high (and before), there are tools and buttons that did not know existed.  Furthermore, I had never even used Publisher up until a week ago.  It was vitally beneficial to learn these software skills and how they apply to the classroom setting as well as beyond. 

I am the most familiar with Microsoft Word but still cultivated the following skills: selecting and formatting more than 1 item at a time; inserting and designing tables; and inserting SmartArt.  I especially enjoyed drawing shapes with various border widths, styles, and colors.  As an aspiring teacher, I will use tables in Word specifically when I need to create tests, quizzes, and homework assignments.  The tables allow the various informational pieces and questions to be lined up systematically for easy grading.  I will also use tables when creating assessment rubrics, sign-up sheets, and lists. 

In addition, Microsoft Publisher is filled with blank or already formatted templates, ranging from newsletters and banners to birthday cards and flyers.  The templates are convenient to use and are easily customized to suite one's needs.  I love browsing through the already-existing templates and reformatting them according to my desired layout and designs.  Publisher is much easier to use than starting from scratch as one must in Word.  I will use Publisher to create an engaging and stimulating weekly newsletter for parents, flyers and banners for special events, get-well cards for sick students, and awards certificates to honor student achievements.  The better acquainted I become with Publisher, the more readily I shall use it in my future classroom. 

Microsoft Office includes important tools that may facilitate children as they learn and interact at school.  These tools will just as significantly help me to become better organized and more efficient as an elementary teacher.