Throughout the FACD-702 course there has been discussion on time-management and ideas on a
more efficient way to work, which in turn ultimately creates more time to interact with students. I assume many
of you are intimately familiar with some of the software tools available in making the instructor and student’s
valuable time more efficient.
There is software currently active in Microsoft Word (c), such as spell and grammar check, and the markup/track changes function that can benefit any writer or instructor. Microsoft Word (c) usually, but not always,
defaults to spell and grammar check being on. The software underlines perceived spelling errors in red and
underlines grammatical errors in green. It also provides recommended spellings and punctuation to correct the
recognized error. The mark-up function allows a student’s counterpart or the instructor the ability to make
changes to that submitted paper which provides detailed feedback to the writer. As the person modifying the
original document makes changes the system simply highlights the recommended changes (examples include:
APA format, spelling, grammar, sentence structure such as word-smithing or “changing puppies to small
dogs”). The writer can view those changes; understand who recommended them by name, and feedback on
the reasons behind the changes as outlined by the person reviewing the paper. These three specific software
tools allow for quick review, feedback, and accuracy of any document.
Safe Assign is a fantastic tool used by ERAU in preventing plagiarism. Plagiarism can be intentional or
unintentional, but the punishment can be the same. The software researchers the submitted paper and
compares that document’s like said phrases, quotes, sentences, or words with the SafeAssign data bank and
all available resources through the internet. If the system identifies plagiarism it will highlight the submitted
document’s passage and show another window on researched comparable sources phraseology. The student
and/or instructor can use the SafeAssign report to determine if the source has been correctly cited, help in
making those changes and give credit to the original reference, or shed light onto blatant plagiarism. The
software also provides the ability to hyperlink to the on-line source for comparison. All-in-all it is a great system
for both users.
The Group 5 project is on the WritePoint software program that can perform spell, grammar, and
plagiarism check at once. The program is currently used at the University of Phoenix and other schools, and is
familiar to our own Group 5 member: Wynell King. This class project will be two-fold: It will provide training to
both Randal and I, and hopefully shed some insight to the class on other software tools available to students
and instructors alike. I am writing this Blog as a “test” to the software. Any and all thoughts on this Blog are
original without research. Additionally, this Blog will be submitted to SafeAssign for review. This Blog was also
created using Microsoft Word (c) utilizing the spell and grammar check functions with all of the
recommendations corrected. Wynell will input this created Blog into WritePoint to compare and contrast the
differences.
Group Five hopes to show the rest of the class new tools technology is providing to students and writers.
Many software tools are available to the most basic writer and WritePoint is one of these tools. WritePoint is
also available for the advanced student preparing for a dissertation. This tool can also help writers with
business writing and personal letters. Students should take a few extra minutes to use WritePoint or similar
tools prior to submitting assignments. Students can significantly improve their grades and be a more
successful student when using available tools technology provides. The blog will show both software programs
screen shots on their functionality and feedback.