Story+Editing+with+Microsoft+Word

It’s time to start using more features of Microsoft Word than just the spelling and grammar check…
Here in the lab we’ve started using the speech function of our Apple computers to help students edit their stories. They can print out their rough drafts and listen with headphones as the computer reads their story to them. We have them mark their changes on the paper copy as they listen to the computer. After they get over the initial distraction of hearing the “funny” computer voice for the first time, most find it quite helpful in the editing process. The computer reads __**exactly**__ what has been written, whereas our eyes tend to “help us out” by filling in words that aren’t there or substituting the correct word for an incorrect one that has a close spelling (breath instead of breathe). Also, the computer makes the appropriate pauses and inflections with its voice when it encounters punctuation. Students will often pause at the correct places when they read their stories even if they didn’t include the correct punctuation. When they hear the computer leave those pauses out, they often realize their mistake.

To use the speech function on an apple computer with Microsoft Word:
 * 1) “Click and drag” to highlight the text you want the computer to read.
 * 2) On the menu bar at the top of the screen, click on “View”, scroll down to “Toolbars” and select the “Speech” toolbar.
 * 3) Click on “Speak Selection” on the Speech toolbar when you are ready to listen to your story.

Some of our 5th grade teachers have also experimented with the “Reviewing” toolbar to facilitate peer editing. The reviewing features of Microsoft Word allow you to track changes that have been made to a document and add comments. These changes and comments can then be accepted or rejected with a single click of the mouse.

Students who are finished with their rough draft can turn on “Track Changes” and switch computers with another student. They can make comments and changes to each other’s drafts and then return to their own computer and decide whether they want to accept or reject the changes made by the peer editor.

(We are using Microsoft Word 2004 on Apple computers with OSX version 10.4)