Microsoft™ Offers Free eLearning Content
Sidebar
Some advocates of the Open Source movement criticize any mention of Microsoft(TM), but more Open Source software that is useful to teachers runs on Windows™ than any other platform.
And, although few school districts will roll out Microsoft's updates and new products anytime soon, Microsoft™ has free online learning available for the next 90 days. Take advantage of this offer…
After long delays, Microsoft™ is releasing a stable of new products. And, Microsoft™ is offering free online courses associated with these new products for three months. These courses will eventually cost $29.99 each, but for now, you can study them without paying.
So, check out all the free course offerings that Microsoft™ is providing as it launches its updates and new products. And, send your students to these courses as well.
What are the Courses and How do I Access Them?
Here are the links located at Microsoft's Website…
Link to the Free eLearning Course Portal (i.e., Link Page)
Learn about the new user interface and customization tools, and discover how to improve the way that you do everyday tasks.
Course 4697: Introduction to the New Microsoft Office User Interface
Discover how to create and populate an Office Access 2007 database, and learn about the great new tools available to analyze your data.
Course 4622: What's New in Microsoft Office Access 2007
Determine how Office Excel 2007 can help you organize and analyze information. Put new features, such as conditional formatting and enhanced business intelligence analysis tools, to work for you.
Course 4623: What's New in Microsoft Office Excel 2007
Learn how to convert your existing Microsoft Word and Excel forms into Office InfoPath 2007 forms.
Course 4624: What's New in Microsoft Office InfoPath 2007
Use Office OneNote 2007 to manage your text, voice, and Tablet PC-based notes in one place. See how to share your notes with others to create a collaborative work environment.
Course 4625: What's New in Microsoft Office OneNote 2007
Strengthen your e-mail communications, calendar, and task management expertise by taking advantage of the new user interface for messages and appointments.
Course 4626: What's New in Microsoft Office Outlook 2007
Discover the latest features for creating dynamic and engaging presentations.
Course 4627: What's New in Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007
Prepare to use the new, intuitive interface and navigation tools of Office Word 2007.
Course 4628: What's New in Microsoft Office Word 2007
Use the latest features of this business and technical diagramming program to quickly create flowcharts, process diagrams, and organizational charts. Learn what Pivot Diagrams can do for you.
Course 4629: What's New in Microsoft Office Visio 2007
Discover how to create and manage Office Groove 2007 workspaces for sharing files and project information. You'll also learn how to support effective team communication and how to collect information using forms.
Course 4698: What's New in Microsoft Office Groove 2007
You have to register at the Microsoft™ site to be able to access these courses.
Free eBook from Microsoft™, too
Microsoft™ is also offering a free electronic book (eBook) at the same site.
Link to the free eBook…
Why Keep "Up to Date" about Microsoft™ Products
Even though your school district may not update your computers with Microsoft™'s latest product until the Summer of 2007, if at all, teachers need to follow the evolution of productivity software.
The reason that teachers need software such as Microsoft™'s Windows software and Office Productivity software is because these software programs have become "standards." Because the programs are "standards", other program developers create connections to these programs. Other vendors integrate their products into standard products.
For Example…
For example, a mind mapping program might be able to export mind maps as a word processing outline file, a slide show or a project plan. This saves lots of "cutting and pasting" ; work. Another example would be a program that converts Office Productivity files to the PDF format. These programs can change the menu items of standard software programs so that you do not need to load a separate program to save your work in both formats.
Another Reason to Keep Informed: Know What to Request from Your District's IT Department
The reason that you might not have access to new Microsoft™ software at work is that…
- It takes time to roll out new software
- New software should be tested thoroughly to ensure that the new product is compatible with all other products
- Classes are ongoing, and you and your students are in the way of a change over of your PC
- The IT Department staff wants to protect your files because, during the update process, all existing data is "wiped out"
- No budget exists for purchasing new software
- Note: There is a subscription fee process (something like an insurance policy, in fact, it is called "Software Assurance" where all updates can be installed when they are released; but your district may not have paid for this subscription
- The computer in your classroom is a "piece of junk" that lacks the memory, speed or other resources that are required to run the new software
Sidebar
See our article in this issue of Classroom Toolkit The Role of Technology in Technology Integration: It's not what "They Think"
