MSET

Applying Styles

Introduction

By the end of this training, you will be able to:

  1. Quickly edit a Word document to remove unneccessary typographic marks;
  2. Apply basic styles to create semantic structure to a Word document;
  3. Explain why you chose particular styles for each block of text.

Audience: faculty, staff, and administrators at North Hennepin Community College

Prerequisites:

  1. ability to use Microsoft Word;
  2. completion of “Introduction to Styles” training.

Description of Content

This training includes two modules.

Module 1—Removing Typographic Marks demonstrates how to use the “Find and Replace” feature to quickly clean up a document.

  • Lesson Format
    • Review: Test your understanding of proper semantic structure in documents
    • Removing Extra Spaces: video demonstration with voice-over (1:20 minutes)
    • Removing Extra Spaces Exercise: guided self-paced practice on a Word Document
    • Remove Paragraphs: video demonstration with voice-over (1:13 minutes)
    • Removing Typographic Marks Exercise: guided self-paced practice on a Word Document (10 minutes)
  • Assessment
    • Turn in two versions of a Word Document: the document before editing and the document after completing both Module 1 Exercises
    • Respond to targetted reflection questions (3 minutes)

Module 2—Applying Markup demonstrates typical semantic markup, including Heading 1, Heading 2, and normal paragraph Styles.

  • Lesson Format
    • Applying Semantic Markup: video demonstration with voice-over (2:45 minutes)
    • Exercise: self-paced practice on a Word Document (8 minutes)
  • Assessment
    • Turn in the third version of your Word Document after completion of the Module 2 Exercise
    • Respond to targetted reflection questions (3 minutes)

Module 3—Other Styles demonstrates a combination of cleaning up typographic marks and applying other less-common styles.

  • Lesson Format
    • Blockquotes: video demonstration with voice-over (1:14 minutes)
    • Parallel Columns: video demonstration with voice-over (2:09 minutes)
    • Works Cited: video demonstration with voice-over (00:59 minutes)
    • Excercise: self-paced practice on a Word Document
  • Assessment
    • Turn in the fourth version of your Word Document after completion of the Module 2 Exercise
    • Respond to targetted reflection questions

Total Training Time: 30 minutes

Summary

Many individuals at NHCC do not leverage the full capabilities of Microsoft Word, treating it instead as a glorified type-writer with auto-correct features. This training will build on concepts introduced in the “Introduction to Styles” training, demonstrate specific uses of “Find & Replace” to clean up a document, and demonstrate how to apply styles. Employees will practice these skills on a sample Word document (optional) or on a Word document of their choosing (preferred).

In addition to enhancing productivity, this training will provide employees with the knowledge and skills to apply universal design features, which will help the college continue to move towards full compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

Effectiveness of Training

This training successfully leverages several multimedia learning principles.

  1. Multimedia Principle. Both modules use video and narration to leverage the visual and auditory channels for information acquisition.
  2. Contiguity. When graphics and text are used, printed words are placed near corresponding graphics.
  3. Modality. Both modules use audio narration with no printed text. Guided exercises use printed words as instructions along with corresponding graphics. Guided exercises are self-paced.
  4. Redundancy. While captions are available on all videos, they do not turn on by default.
  5. Coherence. In all cases, graphics are used to support the learning. They include relevant screen shots of documents placed next to the appropriate text. Guided exercises are in a responsive design so that they can be placed next to a Word Document, so that learners do not have to minimize windows to see the instructions.
  6. Personalization. Narration and printed text adopt a casual style, referring to “you.” Narration is delivered in a conversational style at a moderate pace.
  7. Segmenting. Each video is less than three minutes, and is interspersed with review and reflection for the learner. The training opens with a review of concepts that were learned in the prerequisite training.
  8. Engagement. Exercises prompts learners to develop self-explanations for why they chose specific styles for specific blocks of text.
  9. Worked Examples. Videos provide worked examples of each task. Guided exercises provide step-by-step instructions to complete complex tasks.
  10. Practice. Practice is guided to ensure learners are practicing the correct skills.