Many younger students have never experienced a formal education without Microsoft, and probably can’t image what academic life would be like without the helpful tools provided by the company. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if most students haven’t even considered what they might do if that reassuring blue “W” and dependable red “P” weren’t eternally present on their computer desktops. For students all over the country and even all over the world, the sudden disappearance of Microsoft learning tools would be a manifestation of their worst virtual nightmares.
Life Without Microsoft
Let’s picture a sort of post-apocalyptic world where students don’t have access to Microsoft tools for their educational endeavors. Term papers would be written by hand and full of spelling errors, numerical data would be scattered on a page without interpretive graphs and user-friendly charts, and presentations would consist of nothing but an over sized notepad, an easel, and a big black marker. Students would spend hours composing sub-par assignments without spell check and editing tools to guide them. MLA and APA formatting would become even more frustrating and meticulous. Instructors would spend hours grading assignments, and the academic world as we know it would be in utter chaos.
Life With Microsoft
Fortunately, today’s students don’t have to live in world where Microsoft doesn’t exist. From the classic Word application to newer innovations like OneNote, students everywhere can count on Microsoft to be right by their sides from the first day of school to graduation. When a big paper is due, students simply turn to Microsoft Word to write, organize, edit and format information all in one convenient and user-friendly place. When a class assignment calls for a presentation complete with graphs and quirky slide transitions, PowerPoint is at your service to make even the most complex concepts easy to understand. Need a more convenient way to take notes in class and during reading sessions? Turn to OneNote for a smarter solution.
Microsoft isn’t just about helping students perform better in school, but can also improve their social lives as well. The company’s Live Messenger app for Facebook was downloaded by 22 million smartphone owners in 2011, and still maintains tremendous popularity today. With all of the helpful educational tools Microsoft offers to college students, students may even have extra time for a social life, too!
Lindsey Harper Mac is a professional writer living in the Indianapolis area. She specializes in writing guest posts covering social media and education on behalf of Colorado Technical University. Currently, Lindsey is completing work on her master’s degree.
