0.4 Preparing a word document for creating a connexions module

Existing documentation and approach

A link is provided in the box to the right for the Connexions web site materials prepared for “Using Microsoft Word to Create a Connexions Modules”. However, the materials are not organized into a fashion that guides a new author from the perspective of how to create a Word document in order to build a Connexions module. Additionally, some information about the use of “templates” applies to an older version of Word (Word 97 or Word 2003). It says that the importer supports the new Microsoft Word 2007 (which creates documents using the .docx file extension), but I have had problems with importing these files as Connexions modules.

This module will take the approach of showing which Word features are preserved (kept) during importing and how you can add Connexions CNXML formatting styles to your Word document to import other useful effects. This will allow you to easily create fantastic OER materials using the convenience of uploading Word documents to create a basic Connexions module.

Typing your document draft

For instructional purposes we have several versions of a Word document file showing its progression from initial typing to a finished product. The subject matter of the document is about flying. The first version shows raw typing that can be done quickly. The second version shows normal formatting that an author would do to a document.You should download the documents to see how they were created.

Click to download: Flying_Ver1.doc

Click to download: Flying_Ver2.doc

Many people will format their documents as they produce it. Thus, the two step approach will be done in only one document. These documents are in the .doc format which is the older Word 97-2003 format. I used the newer Micorsoft Word 2007 software that handles these documents in a “Compatibility Mode”. The following items are formatting effects that will be preserved (will convert) into your Connexisons module. They are listed in the order in which they appear in the Flying_Ver2.doc file.

Preserved effects

1. Heading 1 – highlight the text and select “Heading 1” from the “Styles” box on the ribbon. As one example see the first line of the document.
2. Heading 2 – highlight the text and select “Heading 2” from the “Styles” box on the ribbon. As one example see the second line of the document.
3. Italic – highlight the text and select “ I ” from the “Font” box on the ribbon. Look for the word jokes as the example
4. Bulleted List – highlight the list and select the “Bulleted List” item from the “Paragraph” box on the ribbon.
5. Bold – highlight the text and select “ B ” from the “Font” box on the ribbon. Look for the word ficitious as the example
6. Numbered List – highlight the list and select the “Numbered List” item from the “Paragraph” box on the ribbon.
7. Table – use the “Insert Tab” selecting “Table” from the “Tables” box on the ribbon.
8. Hyperlink – use the “Insert Tab” selecting “Hyperlink” from the “Tables” box on the ribbon.
9. Picture – use the “Insert Tab” selecting “Picture” from the “Illustrations” box on the ribbon. This picture was sized to 320x240 pixels in order to better fix the web page when converted into a Connexions module.
10. Footnote – use the “References Tab” selecting “Insert Footnote” from the “Footnotes” box on the ribbon.