Microsoft Office Tips and Tricks
Posted by Michelle Audain in Microsoft Tips and Tricks, Training Matters on May 20, 2012
This is the first of a series of Microsoft Office tips and tricks that I am going to share with you. I hope they are useful to you.
Check your Word document for ease of reading
In Word 2010 (and in previous versions) you can use the Readability feature to check your document for ease of reading. This feature calculates the average number of syllables in words, and the average number of words in sentences and gives you a readability rating based on either a Flesch Reading Ease test, or the Flesh-Kincaid Grade Level Test.
- In Microsoft Word 2010, click the File tab, and then click Options.
- Click Proofing.
- In the section When correcting spelling and grammar in Word, make sure Check grammar with spelling is selected.
- Select Show readability statistics.
- After you enable this feature, open a file that you want to check, and click on your spell check button.
When Word finishes checking the spelling and grammar, it displays information about the reading level of the document in the Readability Statistics box.
You can open a printable pdf of instructions here: Readability feature in Word 2010
Alternatively, view a quick video demonstration here: bit.ly/Li9qMy
What do you think of this tip? Did you find it helpful? Have you got any Microsoft tips you’d like to share with other readers? I’d love to hear your feedback – please leave a comment.
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Elearning or Face to Face training – the big divide
Posted by Michelle Audain in elearning, Instructor led training, Training Matters on May 17, 2012
Infographic showing how much social media has grown
(Photo credit: Wikipedia)
As trainers, we need to step outside our comfort zone and embrace new technology. Training takes place in many forms – coaching, on the job training, job aids, group and classroom training AND elearning. There’s no getting away from it – elearning and social media are here to stay, and rapidly gaining popularity.
Of late, there has been a quite a lot of discussion around the elearning vs face to face training debate. Here are my thoughts.
Learning should be designed for the learner
What I mean is, training should be designed around what suits the learner, not the trainer. This is Training 101. Learners have different learning styles and different needs.
Some learners may live remotely, or work shifts and are unable to attend scheduled face to face sessions. Then again, other learners may not have access to computers or internet. Some learners are not computer literate, yet other learners (generation Y learners are a prime example) take to elearning and social media like ducks to water.
Now there’s a point – the generation Y learners. Generation Y learners have different needs, expectations and learning styles from our past learners – are we going to step up to this challenge?
Sure, there is some bad elearning out there. Just because someone can use elearning authoring software, doesn’t mean they know anything about adult learning principles. The same applies to face to face trainers – just because someone knows their subject well, doesn’t mean they know how to transfer that knowledge into meaningful and engaging learning (telling isn’t training!). Good trainers also have training skills, and good elearning courses have been built around solid instructional design principles.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m a big fan of face to face training (I’m a trainer myself)! I attend many face to face training sessions and get great value from them, but I also do a lot of my learning online.
Over the last month I decided to upskill in social media, and have started blogging and tweeting. I have learnt by reading blogs and articles, online tutorials, google search and feedback through discussion boards. Experts in the field (people that I’ve not known before) have reviewed my work and given me constructive feedback. The reason that this worked so well for me was that I could access the information that I needed, when and where I wanted.
Why do we have to choose? Why can’t we take the best of both?
I’m glad you asked.
In a previous job I was the Staff Software Trainer, and one of my tasks was to provide IT induction training for new staff. So I would spend two hours with every new staff member, and then maybe some follow-up sessions, or group training. As you can imagine (it was a big organisation) this was repetitive and time consuming, and I looked at how I could streamline this, and still meet the needs of the new staff member.
My solution was to create an online module for the IT induction training. Staff could read and/or print information, watch video simulations with audio, and then try themselves. Quizzes tested their knowledge of each topic.
Staff would complete the online training, and then I would meet with them for about 30 minutes to answer any questions, ensure that they had learnt what they needed to know for their role, and fill any gaps in learning.
A small number of new staff preferred not to do the training online (because they didn’t feel confident using computers) so I would do the 2 hour face to face session with them.
The feedback that I got from this course was very positive. Many commented that they liked the online module because they could go back to it again at any time in the future, when they came across that particular topic.
This is a blended learning solution – in this example, a combination of online learning and face to face training.
We need to think objectively about whether the needs of the learners, the content and the logistics (budget, location), fit better with face to face, elearning or a blended solution.
We need to step up and take the challenge!
I‘d love to hear what you think. What’s your opinion about elearning vs face to face training? Are you ready to step up and take the challenge, or have you already done so? Tell me about it!
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My Central Otago adventure
Posted by Michelle Audain in Travel and adventure on May 9, 2012
Wine, Food, History and the Rail Trail.
New Zealand is such a beautiful country, and especially the South Island. I love the outdoors and I love cycling, so cycling the 150km Central Otago Rail Trail is my ideal holiday. I’ve been wanting to do it for years, but life kept getting in the way, until one day I said to Graham “let’s just do it!”. By the end of the day we had booked our flights and had our names on a 5-day guided cycle tour.
Although I love the outdoors, I’m not a “roughing it” type (I blame this on my dad, ‘cos he used to drag me out deer stalking in the Urewera National Park when I was a kid – he had no sons, so I was it!) Not for me, I prefer a comfortable bed, flushing toilet and a plug for my hair drier! Anyway, we digress! We chose to do the ride over five days, using hired bikes, staying overnight in historic gold towns with quality accommodation, food and a smiling hostess to meet us every 12kms or so along the trail, with food, drink and comfort. There are other options, some people do the whole trail in one day, by themselves, but we wanted to have a leisurely ride and take the time to “smell the roses” and explore.
View out to Lake Wakitipu from top of Skyline, Queenstown, NZ
We decided to spend a day in Queenstown before doing the cycle trip, and a day at Dunedin at the other end. So early one Monday in March, we boarded an early flight to Queenstown. It was a beautiful summer day when we arrived, despite the chill in the air. We spent the morning wandering along the beautiful marina which runs alongside Lake Wakatipu, through the centre of the township where we stopped at one of the many cafes. We then made our way to the Skyline and caught a gondola up to the top. We noticed walk ways and a cycling track meandering up the side of the mountain, but decided to save our cycle legs for the ride the next day. Absolutely stunning views on the way up, overlooking the Queenstown township and Lake Wakatipu! At the top, there were kids enjoying the lunge rides, forest trails to walk, and bungy jumping and paragliding for the more adventurous.We were tempted with the idea of going paragliding, but couldn’t pluck up the courage!
Queenstown cafes
TSS Earnslaw on Lake Wakatipu, Queenstown
View of Queensland and Lake Wakatipu, from the Skyline
We had booked ourselves on a 4WD guided tour to Arrowtown in the afternoon. Arrowtown is an old gold mining town, built on the banks of the Arrow River, about 20 mins out of Queenstown and is steeped in history. Arrowtown is also very popular for its cycling and walking tracks, and the township itself is beautiful and quaint, and houses a very impressive museum.
Arrowtown main street
Arrow River, site of Lord Of The Rings filming, Arrowtown
The 4WD drive through the Arrow River was awesome. We panned for gold and surveyed the location of the Lord of the Rings filming. Arrowtown is one of my favourite places!
The following morning we were picked up by our tour guide, Heidi, and met the other members of our tour, two couples from Taranaki. We made our way to Cromwell, stopping along the way to 
view some bungy jumping and stop at a lovely vineyard for lunch. We enjoyed sampling their wines and scrumptious food. On our arrival at Cromwell we checked out our hire bikes and took them for a ride around Lake Dunstan. Another beautiful setting!
The day finally arrived – Heidi dropped us off at Clyde and we began our 150km adventure! Throughout the ride we were treated to stunning scenery! Graham (who quickly became our group photographer) was in his element, and he got some excellent photos, some of which are going on our wall at home.
At each station we stamped our Otago Central Rail Trail passports at the replica NZ Railways Dept emergency phone box houses along the way. Interpretation panels told much of the history of bridges, viaducts and tunnels and Heidi was a wealth of information, and we were in awe at the thought of men hauling vast quantities of large stones, steel and wood, by hand, to construct some of the amazing viaducts we rode across. At the Ranfurly Station was a display dedicated to the 21 lives that were lost in the train crash in 1943, and the virtual train ride gave an interesting insight into the history of the Otago Rail Track. We stayed at beautiful towns along the way, and the accommodation, food and wine were second to none! In fact, despite the fact that we were cycling for four days, we had both put on weight by the end of the trip!
The Vulcan Hotel, St Bathans
St Bathans
Omakau Station (me). Notice the NZ Rail Station replica phone box. We stopped at these boxes at each station to stamp our Central Otago Rail Station passports.
On our last day of the cycling trip, the sky started to cloud over and just before we departed on the Taieri Gorge train to Dunedin, rain started falling in bucketfuls. We had had gorgeous weather until then, although we heard on the news that back in Auckland they had had thunderstorms in our absence! You’d think that after four days on a bike seat, you’d be relieved it was over, but I was actually disappointed, I just wanted to keep on riding – didn’t want it to end.
We arrived in Dunedin in the evening and were amused when our taxi driver informed us that we had arrived in the middle of the students’ annual keg party. (Dunedin is the home of Otago University which has 25,000 students who have a reputation for their partying ways!) On arrival at our motel, the motelier apologetically offered us earplugs! We did venture out to get some takeaways but quickly returned to the sanctuary of our motel room! Surprisingly, by 10pm the place was quiet, but perhaps not so surprising when you consider that they had been partying since 5am.
Dunedin train station
The next day we set off on foot to explore Dunedin. Dunedin’s train station is a sight to see, and apparently one of the most photographed buildings in New Zealand. We visited the Dunedin Botanical Gardens and then took a look at Baldwin Street, the steepest residential street in the world. We were going to walk to the top, but ran out of time as we had a plane to catch back to Auckland. It’s true!!!
Baldwin Street, Dunedin – the world’s steepest residential street.
Anyway, we definitely have good memories of our trip, and I want to see more of New Zealand’s beautiful South Island! The next trip might be a motorcycle road trip!
What was your favourite holiday? I’d love to hear from you!
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Just Do It!
Posted by Michelle Audain in Health & Wellbeing, Time Management on May 6, 2012
In my post last week, we discussed overcoming procrastination. I had a busy week this week, and I found listing my priorities really helpful. One of my readers, Amanda Sterling, made a suggestion about making a “will do” list rather than a “to do” list. The idea is that you put down the things that you, realistically, will do today. The others go on your ‘will do tomorrow’ or ‘will do later’ lists. I tried this idea, and really liked it.
In my diary I wrote on Monday’s page, all the things I had to do on Monday and prioritised them (1,2, 3…); on Tuesday’s page, all the things I had to do on Tuesday, and so on. I listed all my “other” tasks at the end of the week. What I liked about this was that instead of having one big long list that I would probably never get through, I had shorter lists for each day. So when I had crossed off all of my tasks for Monday, it felt like a real accomplishment.
Another benefit I found about making lists is that by writing my tasks down, it serves to declutter my mind, and therefore I can relax more, and sleep better at night!
I think another important aspect when trying to overcome is procrastination is considering WHY we we are procrastinating! Experts say that most procrastination is borne out of fear. I know that’s generally true in my case – I don’t like confrontations, so I procrastinate when I have to do something that could result in a confrontation (like an unpleasant conversation). I remember a book that I read years ago by Susan Jeffers, “Feel the Fear and do it Anyway“. That phrase has always stuck with me. Over the last week, whenever I noticed myself procrastinating – I sternly told myself to “JUST DO IT” and I did! Yay, I’m making progress.
The “before” picture. My messy office.
In my post last week Overcoming Procrastination (eat the frogs), I made a commitment to “create a comfortable workspace”. Brian Tracy in his book “Eat that Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Proscratinating and Get More Done in Less Time” says “The most productive people take the time to create a work area where they enjoy spending time.” It took me all afternoon (it was not a pretty picture!) but I am stoked with the results.
First of all I had to declutter and organise. Then, I got a favourite photo that Graham had taken of our recent cycling trip of the Central Otago Rail Trail (that he had enlarged and framed) and hung it on my office wall. Next, I dug out my certificates from the back of the wardrobe, laminated and framed them, and hung them on the wall (we should celebrate our accomplishments not hide them in the back of the wardrobe!!!). A bulletin board was attached to the wall, and I organised folders for everyday tasks.
The result is amazing! I so love my new office and am determined to keep it looking lovely. (Actually I have to, because Graham’s threatened to tell you if I don’t!).
I’m so glad that I made this commitment to the whole world because it meant that I HAD to do it So it’s done – another big, ugly frog eaten!
Relaxing in my lovely, clutter-free office!
My main learnings were:
- Tell your goals to others, then you will feel more accountable, and therefore more likely to achieve them.
- Breaking your task list into today, tomorrow, etc. breaks it down into more manageable chunks, and therefore more achievable, and more rewarding outcomes.
- Consider the reasons why you are procrastinating, then
- Just Do It!
So next week, I’ll have to work at creating habits that will ensure that my lovely, uncluttered office stays looking that way.
Tell us what your goals are! Why do you procrastinate? I’d love to hear from you.
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Overcoming Procrastination (eating the frogs)
Posted by Michelle Audain in Time Management on April 29, 2012
A Diagram of procrastination cycle. Task features, internal factors, irrational beliefs, behavior and consequences are shown. used for a university assessment. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
In my previous post “I haven’t got time…” we discussed identifying priorities and time wasters. Since then, I keep catching myself saying “I haven’t got time…” and having to rephrase it with “Is that a priority?“. It’s quite a mindset and like anything, takes time to change. The problem is, I’m really motivated at the moment, and I want to do everything NOW! I want to join Toastmasters again, I want to do some voluntary work, I want to start another blog, I want to learn more about social media, the list goes on… So I’ve had to give myself a stern talking to and work out what’s important and what I can do later, or can’t do at all!.
What I really wanted to talk about today is overcoming procrastination. While researching the topic, I came across this diagram of the procrastination cycle – what caught my attention was the consequences of procrastinating, which included:
- life regrets
- poor achievement outcomes
- stress and anxiety
- lowered self efficacy
I’ve talked previously about Brian Tracy’s book “Eat that Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Proscratinating and Get More Done in Less Time”. This is my bible – I’m slowly working through the book to help me to improve my time management, and procrastination is one of my demons. Procrastinating is a habit, and to change the habit we have to stop procrastinating – not rocket science!
So following Brian’s advice, I wrote my To Do list, identified what my biggest frogs were (the tasks that I really didn’t want to do but would have the most positive consequence if done, and the most negative consequences if not done). Before starting my task, I made sure that I was well prepared, had everything I needed, and had no distractions. Like Brian says, and I fully agree, we need to be fully focused on the task and work hard until the task is finished. Even today, when I was concentrating on doing some work (on a Sunday no less!) Graham kept popping in with idle chatter. It’s so distracting and takes so long to get your mind back to where you were. Being distracted from our task is a big time waster!
What I learnt from this exercise is that, IT’S EASIER SAID THAN DONE! With the best intentions I still found myself drifting off and looking at an email, or realised that my mind had wandered and I was thinking about something else instead of the frog (task) at hand. But, as they say, Rome wasn’t built in a day, so I expect that changing a habit of a lifetime won’t be either. However, this lass is very determined! Note to self: close down Outlook when eating big, ugly frogs.
So I continue along my journey with determination and Brian’s book clutched tightly! And next week, I’m going to work on another gold nugget from Brian – Create a Comfortable Workspace – which my office is NOT!
I hope you now feel more motivated to work towards overcoming procrastination – I know I do! Are you a procrastinator? Do you have any tips, or stories to tell about how you’ve overcome procrastination? I’d love to hear your feedback!
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I haven’t got time…..
Posted by Michelle Audain in Health & Wellbeing, Time Management on April 22, 2012
I confess!!! I’m a procrastinator, I get distracted easily and I’m not perfect (I hope my boss isn’t reading this!). So, after much soul searching, deliberating, reading some fabulous blogs and books, I ‘m all fired up to make some life altering changes and morph into a person who knows exactly where they’re going and how to get there, and nothing will stand in my way!
But before I do that, I’m going to debunk a common myth:
Myth No. 1 – I don’t have enough time! Just in case you hadn’t noticed, there’s 24 hours in every day and everyone gets the same amount! It’s not that you don’t have enough time, it’s about using your time wisely. You need to identify what is important to you (your priorities) and what your time wasters are.
I completed this exercise recently. My biggest time waster was watching television. Every night I would sit in front of the TV for hours, watching mindless drivel. I would justify it by saying that it was my way of unwinding, watching mindless drivel on TV.
My next time waster was playing Spider Solitaire. It was sort of like an addiction – once I started I couldn’t stop! I guess I wasn’t very good at it – I couldn’t stop until I had won a game, but it could take a long time… (“My name is Michelle. I am a Spider Solitaire addict”).
So, I’ve cut down my TV time. I still watch a bit of TV each night, but I’m selective about what I watch.
I haven’t played Spider Solitaire since – went cold turkey! How’s that for self-discipline!!!
So the next step was identifying what was important for me – relationships, family and friends, my career, financial security, personal and professional development.
Like I say to my learners, you must put your goals in writing and then tell someone else. It’s no use having your goals wandering around your grey matter, writing them down will solidify them, and telling someone else will make you more accountable (“How are you going with that goal Michelle?”). So hence this blog – I’m telling the whole wide world, if that doesn’t make me accountable, nothing will!
I’ve been pleasantly surprised to find that I have really enjoyed researching this topic and writing this blog. I’m now using my time more productively, but I’ve still got a long way to go. But hey, I’ve taken my first step to morphdom!
I’ve just finished reading “Eat That Frog! – 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time” by Brian Tracy. What an inspirational book! It’s a quick and easy read (I read it in about five hours), the author doesn’t dwell on the psychology behind the theories, but is very action oriented.
Brian Tracy talks about “Eating a Frog” – an analogy for the tasks that will have the most positive outcome when done, or the most negative outcome if not done, these are usually the tasks that you put off in favour of smaller, less valuable tasks (tadpoles). The first thing you should do at the start of each working day is to eat your biggest frog. By disciplining yourself to eat your frogs each day, this will become a habit, thus overcoming your procrastination!
So tomorrow I’m going to start eating frogs! Of course, there’s a lot more to it than this, but I’m taking one small step at a time. I’ll report in soon and let you know how I’m getting on with this.
In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you – what are your biggest time wasters, what are your priorities, what are your biggest frogs? Have you got any tips for overcoming procrastination?
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On a mission
Posted by Michelle Audain in Health & Wellbeing on April 15, 2012
We’re only on this world for a short time, and I’m on a mission to make the best of my time that I can! I’m not sure why I didn’t realise this earlier – it seems that when I was younger I thought I was going to live forever, then suddenly the realisation – I’ve passed the halfway mark- I’ve lived most of my life!!! No matter how much I tell myself I still feel young, look young, act young – (is this nature’s way of being kind to us?) – I can’t deny that I’m now middle-aged!!!
Graham and I beside Lake Dunstan, Cromwell, NZ. Getting used to the bikes before the 150km Central Otago Rail Trail.
Well, I can’t change the past, but I can do something about today. Today I’m fitter, and I appreciate the outdoors much more. I realise the importance of being healthy and looking after my body (after a few frights), mind and soul. I’m also more motivated to advance in my career (although I still don’t really know what I want to be when I grow up!) but I do have some skills and qualifications now and know what I like doing.
I did do a lot of voluntary work when I was younger (Lifeline), but that got put aside for children and then study, and now I’m thinking it’s time start giving again. So the Red Cross collector knocking on my door was quite timely and I’ve signed up for regular donations – it does feel good to help others!
So how can I give my time to others? Life seems so busy – where do I find the time? Like most people I have a partner, children, family, friends, work, dogs housework, blah, blah, blah – oh and mustn’t forget time for self – professional and personal development, exercise, relax, have fun!!! How does everyone else fit everything in? Note to self – need to work on time management!
Another dilemma is: how much should I “live for today” vs “plan for the future”. I have mortgages like everyone else and not a heap left over. So do I work hard and invest in the future, or have fun now cos we never know what’s around the corner? I’ve decided there needs to be a balance – I sure as hell don’t want to be living on a shoe string when I’m 90, but I do want to be able to look back and say “I enjoyed the ride”.
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About me
Posted by Michelle Audain in Health & Wellbeing on April 15, 2012
Our beautiful dogs - Milo (border collie) and Tess (chocolate labrador)
I’m a passionate adult educator, and love helping people to learn and grow. I specialise in literacy and numeracy, software support, elearning design and implementation, blended learning, and soft skills training.
I love mountain biking, going to the gym, walking our dogs, reading, technology, social media and learning new things.
My partner Graham and I have just finished cycling the 150km Central Otago Rail Trail. A great way to see our beautiful country!
One of our favourite photos of our recent cycling trip, New Zealand's Central Otago Rail Trail.
I am embarking on a personal journey to work towards living a healthy, well balanced, happier life, and invite you to join me as I explore different issues that arise along the way.
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Who is Michelle Childs?
Mother and adult educator specialising in workplace literacy, software training, elearning design and delivery. Interests are personal and professional development, social media, mountain biking, walking, the outdoors and health and fitness.
Michelle's blog 