The CMW application is a toolbar installed onto Microsoft Word that allows users to check the meaning(s) of a work, the grammar of a sentence, common collocations, grammatical patterns/word combination of an expression, frequent expressions (via Google) and retrieve vocabulary from a long list of selection. It is a "one-stop clinic" that provides remedies for grammatically-challenged writers or those suffering from writer's block. Unlike Word's own spell and grammar check, CMW offers way more as it provides examples of how a word can be used in a sentence (as different parts of speech) as well as subject-verb agreement. In a nutshell, it consolidates everything in one go, sparing the user of opening up browser after browser looking up different dictionary sites. Speaking of dictionaries, the "Definition" tab of the tool bar offers a plethora of online dictionaries for the user so he or she could get different expert opinions. The "Word Neighbors Collocations" is also a useful function as it informs users of how expressions are used in everyday conversations. And the list goes on and on...
Now onto the bad side of things. If you are in a hurry with your paper or document, ditch the application as it is so comprehensive that it will take you more than minutes just to go through all the definitions and explanations. Also, if you make a mistake and click on the "check" tab, the program will give you a list of potential explanations and going through them again takes time. The "Word Neighbors" criteria input interface is a bit complicated too as one cannot possible navigate through it without the user guide in hand. All in all, the toolbar is really not for those who are in a rush to finish things.
Last but DEFINITELY not least, there's apparently a clash between Word and CMW. Whenever I try to check my errors, the toolbar shuts down due to a "run time error" and the whole Word application promptly crashes. There goes the 2000 word essay. So make sure you save every two second should you decide to use CMW.
P.S. You need to be online in order to fully utilize the toolbar, which is inconvenient for those with unstable web connection. Should have a backup, iPhone-like application version instead that one can download and fully access even if there's no Internet available.
I see your point, Calvin. However, if you are not submitting your papers in a hurry, the program is beneficial more than problemtic in many aspects. However, one of the biggest challenege is that how we can persuade our students to use it. In fact, there are tons and tons of language learning tools available on the internet, I doubt how frequent my students would use them except their occasional visits to Yahoo Dictionary. I am not worried about teaching them how to use it as this generation is so good at using computer. But I am really worried about whether they would use it for their learning or not. Any thoughts?
ReplyDeleteI don't see why not. As long as the makers simplify it a bit, it will be fine. One major advantage of My Words is that it can be installed onto MS Word as opposed to other Internet tools that require the opening of a separate program. Trust me, kids would do anything to get a high mark and this tool helps them do exactly that.
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