Teacher Tech blog with Alice Keeler

Paperless Is Not a Pedagogy

Alice Keeler

Editor in Microsoft Word by @VictoriaTheTech

Editor is a free, embedded tool in Microsoft Word to enhance your writing, and I’d certainly like to think that it enhances mine—in fact, I used it while writing this guest blog! I am excited to see what else I can do with Editor, particularly with its extensions into Microsoft Outlook.
Editor in Microsoft Word by @VictoriaTheTech

Guest Post by Victoria Thompson

I’ve been a bit frustrated lately with editing apps. Specifically, I’m talking about apps that correct your spelling, grammar, etc while you type, use voice-to-text, or write digitally. Until recently, I was not able to find an app or platform that works with all of the tools that I use, as well as one that also covers *more* than spelling, grammar, and tone. When I write curriculum—I need to be mindful of clarity, conciseness, and just overall formality.

Over winter break, I was able to dive into Editor in Word and I don’t think I’ll switch back to another editing app or platform. Not only is it COMPLETELY FREE, but it tracks clarity, conciseness, spelling, grammar, and more!

To use Editor in Microsoft Word, there are two ways to use it:

1.) Open up your document and select the “Editor” option in the top right corner, and then begin to type directly into your document. When you do this, Editor underlines the issues it finds. Select the underlined word or phrase to accept or ignore the suggestion

2.) Open up your document and select the “Editor” option in the top right corner, and then use the “Dictate” feature to use voice-to-text to allow your words to appear on screen. Again, Editor underlines the issues it finds. Select the underlined word or phrase to accept or ignore the suggestion that it gives.

7 Categories of Editor

As you type, there are seven different categories that Editor looks for: spelling, grammar, clarity, conciseness, formality, punctuation conventions, and vocabulary.

It gets even better—directly under these categories there is an option for you to go to the settings in Editor. In these settings you can see *exactly* what Editor is looking for. I love the transparency of this feature and it leads to better, more concise writing on my end. Something else to consider is that you can edit in more than 20 languages! 

Editor is a free, embedded tool in Microsoft Word to enhance your writing, and I’d certainly like to think that it enhances mine—in fact, I used it while writing this guest blog! I am excited to see what else I can do with Editor, particularly with its extensions into Microsoft Outlook.

About The Author

Victoria Thompson is a STEM Integration Transformation Coach at Technology Access Foundation–a nonprofit leader redefining STEM education in public schools–and a consultant for Ignite EdTech. She has been in education for five years and began her journey teaching fifth and sixth grade math and science in Summerville, SC. After completing her masters degree in curriculum and instruction she moved to the Seattle, WA area in 2018, where her career has pivoted to focusing on STEM integration in schools, K-12 mathematics instruction with research on decolonizing mathematics curriculum for teachers and learners, creating inclusive math environments, and using technology to bridge equity gaps in math education. She has presented at ISTE, ImpactEducation, CUE, and DigCitSummit on topics such as creating inclusive math classrooms and culturally responsive STEM education.

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