Helping Library Users with Word

An Infopeople Workshop

Summer, 2004

Sarah Haman, Instructor

sercher@adelphia.net

Introduction Name

Library

How you work with computers

Tell us one experience you’ve had with library users and word processing

Workshop Goals

You’ll be able to help Use Word v teach Interview to identify need Practice handling common situations Personalize user handout

Fill Out Skills Checklist

What Are Your Common Problems?

Document gets lost Can’t open file from a disk Save a file to a disk Print All caps Alignment Font size or style Used to a typewriter

Enter v text wrap

Exercise #1

Label Parts of a Word Window

Why Name Window Parts?

Common language works for many programs

Ease of instruction Know where to look on the screen

Setting Up Word

Split toolbars

Show all menus

Show paragraph marks

Exercise #2

Change Toolbar and Menu Options Separate toolbars Display all menu options FIX ALL CAPS Turn on ¶ marks Correct a document

Role Play Demonstration

1. Volunteer partner

2. Teaching how to correct a document

3. Feedback

Find Out What The User Needs

Ask questions to clarify immediate need amount of time skill level

Have a clear goal create a positive experience for you and user

Word Skills Everyone Should Know

Multiple ways to perform a single task menus toolbars mouse clicks (for selecting) keyboard commands right-click menus

New users need the basics terminology skills

Exercise #3 - Word Skills

Open file from a disk Correct using ¶ marks Select text Modify text Save to a disk

Discussion

What techniques do you use to help beginning computer users?

Techniques Patience, patience, patience Treat the user with respect Show and tell—don’t touch!

point at screen while talking Keep it simple

stick to the task! Clear, consistent, positive language

More Teaching Techniques

Be on the same level eye contact when talking look at screen when user does

It’s OK to make mistakes Learn together

Patience, patience, patience

Word Skills - Role Play

1. Find a partner2. Choose roles3. Practice teaching Word skills

a. Use Adsales.doc

4. Switch roles5. Feedback

Adult Learners Experienced Self directed

Goal oriented Relevant or applicable skills

Age changes learning style and pace Self-esteem at risk Respect

Open/ Save Files Open a file

disk within program

Save as change file type destination

File types

File extension Program specific (.doc, .wks, .ppt)

Compatible file types Rich Text Format (*.rtf) Text (*.txt)

Exercise #4 Open/ Save As

Open files from a disk Open files in Word File types Rename Save As menu v Save icon

Teaching Reminders

Try to remember being a beginner No “jargon” Focus on user’s task Point and talk Keep it simple!

Open, Save As - Role Play

1. Find a new partner2. Choose roles3. Practice teaching how to open and

save a document4. Switch roles5. Feedback

Format a Document File, Page setup

Margins Page orientation

Format, Paragraph Line spacing

Printing Always use Print Preview Choose File menu, Print vs Can alter

What to print Number of copies

Print Preview

View document exactly as it will print

Decide what to print

See one or multiple pages zoom magnify

Exercise #5 Print Preview/ Print

Print Preview Print Selection Print Pages

Exercise #6 Top Ten Skills

1. Define your common problems

2. Ten skills to help your users

3. Personalize the Top Ten Skills handout for your library

4. Save it to your disk

Review Teaching Techniques Adult learners

Task oriented Slower learning pace Respect

Computer users Hands off Keep it simple Patience

Review

Word Skills Toolbars v menus File types Open—save Printing