Welcome to www.apaword.com, where I'm excited to share valuable insights into using Microsoft Word for academic writing in APA format.

Whether you're an adult learner at a university or college, I aim to equip you with the tools and knowledge to excel in your academic journey.

I'm John Olekalns, and I bring a wealth of experience to this platform. My background as a lecturer in IT and English to adults has shown me the significance of non-technical skills in shaping successful academic careers.

On this website, my primary focus will be on using Microsoft Word effectively to meet the requirements of APA format, a common style used in academic writing. APA format encompasses specific guidelines for page layout, and other elements that are crucial in scholarly work.

I'll walk you through step-by-step guides on how to format your academic papers correctly. My goal is to make your writing process smoother, enabling you to concentrate on producing well-researched and thought-provoking content.

As a bonus, I'll also share insights into essential non-technical skills that can enhance your overall academic experience. These skills, such as effective writing, collaboration, and critical thinking, are essential not only in academia but also in your future professional endeavors.

My teaching experience with adult learners has taught me the value of a learner-centered approach. That's why this website is designed to cater specifically to adult learners like you. I'll present information in a clear and straightforward manner, avoiding unnecessary jargon, so you can focus on grasping concepts quickly.

You'll find various sections on the website, each tailored to cater to your specific needs as a student. From beginners looking to navigate APA format to advanced users seeking to improve their Microsoft Word proficiency, there's something for everyone.

Thank you for joining me on this journey. Together, we'll harness the power of Microsoft Word to elevate your academic writing to new heights. Feel free to explore the resources, and if you have any questions or need assistance, don't hesitate to reach out.

Let's make your academic writing journey in APA format an enriching and successful one!

Sincerely,

John Olekalns

Employment history

Vocational Education Teaching Activities

• 2008 - 2019 TAFESA (Technical and Further Education South Australia) Adelaide, Australia)
  Position: Lecturer English and Computing
  My role is to teach English and Computing (for example Microsoft Word) to migrants and refugees from non-English speaking backgrounds.
  
  
• 2005 - 2007   Australia China Chongqing Vocational and Education Training Project (Chongqing, China)
  Position: School Management Adviser
  My role was to manage reforms in the Chinese Vocational Education system based on the Australian experience. This involved training Chinese teachers, developing curriculum and learning materials, managing the Monitoring and Evaluation of the project and managing staff.
  
  
• 1994–2005   TAFESA (Adelaide, Australia)
  Position:        Lecturer in Information Technology
  My role was to teach software applications (Word, Excel, Access), OH&S, Writing, Communication, Database Design, Systems Analysis and Project Management.
   Another role was to manage the licensing of educational institutions in India (Mumbai, Kolkata, Haldia) to deliver the Diploma of Information Technology.
   This involved supporting Indian staff with training, material development, resolving issues and quality control

Information Technology Industry Activities

• 1984-1993   The Cooperative Hindmarsh Building Society (Adelaide, Australia) Position:       Various - programmer, systems analyst, business analyst, project manager, applications manager
   My role was in the development of a variety of banking systems.

Writing Activities

1994 - developed curriculum documents (competency based format) for Systems Analysis modules in the Associate Diploma of IT.
1995 - developed learning materials for computing courses for the Information Technology Industry Training Council in Canberra.
1999 - developed support materials for the Project Management competencies of the Information Technology Training Package for the Australian National Training Authority (ANTA).

I have authored and co-authored several textbooks that have been published for use in tertiary institutions. The texts are:

• Systems Development Analysis Feasibility and Implementation (1999)
  
• User Needs Analysis (1999)
  
• Provide Remote Help Desk Support (2000)
  
• Client Support Essentials (2000)
  
• Migrate to New Technology (2000)
  
• Software Essentials (2000)
  
• Information Technology – a general course (2001)
  
• Create Technical Documentation (2004)
  
• Create User Documentation (2004)
  
• Essentials of Information Technology 3rd Edition (2006)

Proofreading and Editing

In recent years I have proofread and edited several academic papers. They are:

• The Persistence of Appeasement in the British Government: 1938-1940 - Thesis for History Honors degree
  
• History Program - Paper for Bachelor of Education
• Design for Education Thesis - Paper for Master of Education
• Innovation - too much of a good thing? A study examining organizational climate, burnout and innovation overload - Thesis for Master of Education
  
• Ethical challenges working with culturally and linguistically diverse clients - Paper for Psychology Graduate Diploma
  
• Psychological Report - Paper for Psychology Graduate Diploma
  
• How may social perceptions of mental health affect help-seeking behavior of males age 18-35 working in the construction industry in Australia? - paper for Physiotherapy degree
  
• Discuss how a physiotherapist can effectively include aerobic exercise in a rehabilitation program for a person with stroke - paper for Physiotherapy degree
  
• Flipped Learning – Create or Curate? - Thesis for Master of Education
• What People of Reproductive Age Know about Male and Female Fertility: Development and Validation of the Male and Female Fertility Knowledge Inventories - Thesis for Honours Psychology degree

The following feedback is for a Masters thesis (that I edited):

• "the content is excellent"
  The student's proficiency in Microsoft Word allowed them to dedicate more time to research, analysis, and presenting their findings rather than finding out how to use Microsoft Word.
• "the thesis was very professionally presented"
  Using Microsoft Word fully resulted in the thesis being presented in the best academic writing style.

Academic Qualifications

2012 Certificate IV in Training and Assessment - TAFESA South Australia

2008 Graduate Certificate in Teaching English as a Second Language - Flinders University

2007 Certificate IV in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) - TAFESA South Australia

2004 Master of Project Management - University of Sydney

1996 Graduate Diploma in Education - Education and Training of Adults - University of South Australia

Professional Organizations

I am currently a member of the Institute of Professional Editors (Iped) Australia.