Technology Tidbits

Interactive Guide

2009-03-16T09:38:00.004-06:00

The Interactive Guide is a cool feature in Office 2007. When you just can not find where to go and want you old 2003 program back, you can follow this guide. This link can be found on the Getting Started Tab that you installed in the last post. Check this link to see how it works in Word!!
http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/word/HA100744321033.aspx

Add Ins

2009-01-23T15:53:00.002-07:00

When you first open up Word 2007, you might not know where to find a command. If you download the following ADD IN, you will be amazed!
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=F587370C-FDAE-4EDE-B528-AC58031A5DFF&displaylang=en
Follow this link to add the Word ADD IN on your ribbon. When you can not remember where to look, go to this tab. Stay tuned for more Add ins for Office 2007.

2007 in 2009

2009-01-05T15:00:00.005-07:00

Office 2007 is now being used by many staff in the District. It is a good thing.....really. Once you start using the different programs, I know you will like some of the new features. Here is an excellent website (thanks Jeremy) called "First Steps" http://office.microsoft.com/en-ca/products/FX102704851033.aspx that lets you start from scratch! Give it a try and send me your feedback!

SMART BOARD mania

2008-09-15T14:12:00.003-06:00

They are starting to invade the classrooms. We are starting to provide training! We have a great group of teachers that have been a part of a Train the Trainer series offered through Smart Technologies. If your school needs a kick start with this awesome technology, send a note to trisa.soroski@cssd.ab.ca and we will work together to assist your needs.

Getting started with Office 2007

2008-07-07T09:17:00.004-06:00

Some of you may have jumped right in to the new Office 2007 program. Maybe it was loaded on your new computer and everything just looked different when you started up you e-mail or typed a new Word document. Don't despair, once you forget about where a certain command is and on what toolbar, you'll be fine. The RIBBON holds the key in Office 2007.

There are excellent tutorials that you can find from the Resources column (left side) that will help to get you started. I guarantee once you start to work in the new and improved program, you will create great looking documents. Change is sometimes a good thing!

Get Organized

2007-09-19T10:40:00.000-06:00

It's snowing outside on the 19th of September. We know what's on the way!

Now that you are settling in for a new school year, please keep in mind all the new skills you would like to learn. If you are trying to get organized or keep someone else on schedule, there are so many options in Microsoft Outlook. Check out the online tutorials posted in the Resources section on the right hand side of this Blog. Better yet, send me an e-mail or give me a call to set up something up for the staff at your school. I have had GREAT success working in small groups in the school office or computer lab. It is certainly easier for me to come to you!!

It's never too late to get on board with technology.

Lazy Days of Summer

2007-07-31T13:49:00.000-06:00

I thought I would update this site with news from St. Leo Centre. It's definitely been a great summer weather wise.

Office 2007 is coming, so I am doing my best to find the best way to train you in this VERY different program. There are some wonderful online resources that I am testing everyday. There is also a new program that has replaced Front Page for webpage development called Expression Web. If you need help with a school website, let me know as I have created a template that you can use.

I look forward to seeing you all in the Fall for a new school year. In the meantime enjoy the rest of your summer.

Spring Cleaning

2007-05-02T13:54:00.000-06:00

As we continue to collect e-mails and documents during the year, it is a good time to start thinking about Spring Cleaning. Take some time to look at your files and folders in My Documents or on your H drive. File the documents into folders and archive those old e-mails. Here is a great collection of articles that you might find interesting on the Microsoft website. Make sure you check out the Crabby Office Lady.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with me if you need help Spring Cleaning.

Something New

2007-04-05T11:22:00.000-06:00

Since I have been in the position as Technology Training Specialist with Calgary Catholic I have tried to find ways to offer computer training.

In 2001 I inherited several courses and manuals and carried on delivering sessions on various levels of Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access and Outlook. After upgrading to Office 2000 I re-wrote all of those manuals. They were great resources. Each year however, the traditional lab sessions were not as well attended. This was due to several reasons. Teachers were not provided with Subs to attend these courses and many Support Staff hours were cut. Therefore it was difficult to come to St. Leo's for training. After school sessions were then offered with very poor attendance. Now most of us work in Office 2003, so most of those manuls need re-writing again. Of course you must have heard there is now Office 2007!!

At the beginning of every school year, I have tried to think of new ways to offer computer training. Finally this year I think I found the right ingredient in "Technology Tidbits". An e-mail was sent out in September 2006 to all school principals offering various sessions at each school. Instead of people travelling to St. Leo's, I decided to come to you. There has also been a tremendous turnout at Central Office starting in January 2007. Sessions are limited to one hour, so that one or two topics are covered and not too much time is spent away from the office.

Since I work as a team of one, sometimes it's difficult to find news ideas. I thought that creating this space for you to comment might just be the trick. Please let me know what you would like to see with computer training that might help you in your specific job.

Stay tuned for Tidbit" updates and I hope you all had a wonderful Easter break.

Julie