Software Resources

The Writing Across Technology curriculum includes online modules on rhetorical design and software tutorials. Our software tutorials go over common functions, but this page is for unexpected errors or questions. The First-Year Writing office can support instructors in developing activities regarding the rhetorical use of digital tools, or in developing ways to facilitate problem-solving, but instructors and students should consult the below sources regarding unexpected technological errors and/or for information on where to find the software.

Have you already tried troubleshooting and searching online for the problem?

If instructors or students encounter technological problems with the software, we recommend first exploring problem-solving approaches. It's important that instructors don't feel the need to be "experts" in a given software and rather engage in collaborative exploration of different platforms with their students. Even if you access the resources below, be sure to conduct thorough searches of the available materials to see if there are solutions to your problem before asking a question.

 

There is software available for free to all UConn students for each type of project, and all software can be accessed by UConn faculty and students for free either in their browsers or on campus.

If you feel you may need a lot of assistance, Microsoft and Apple products will offer the most robust customer service and help options of the resources below.

 

Image Editing Software Resources | Soundwriting Software Resources | Video Writing Software Resources

 

 

Image Editing and Composition:

Pixlr (Online, Browser-based): Pixlr is very similar to Photoshop (with fewer capabilities) and is entirely free. Instructors and students only need Adobe Flash to run it.

PowerPoint (Available to all UConn faculty and students): PowerPoint is part of the Office suite and has relatively powerful image-editing abilities.

 

 

Soundwriting

Audacity (Available for either download or online use): Audacity is a free, open-source audio-editing program.

  • Be sure to download Audacity from the correct page source: https://www.audacityteam.org/
  • If you can't or don't want to download Audacity, it is currently installed on UConn Skybox, where students and faculty can access a remote desktop from any computer: https://software.uconn.edu/uconn-software-online/ (Click "Desktop" to launch Skybox) Be sure to save your files to your "P:" drive (labeled with your NetID)
  • Audacity offers a number of support avenues if you need help with technological errors, including an FAQ, manuals, and forums: https://www.audacityteam.org/help/

GarageBand (Available on Apple devices): GarageBand is a free application for those who have Apple devices. It can also be used on mobile devices (with more limited features)

 

 

Video Writing

Lightworks (Available for download): Lightworks is a free video-editing software. It works best on Windows computers, but can work on Macs. If you're using a Mac with Lightworks, be sure to have a mouse that has a right-click button.

iMovie (Available for Apple devices): iMovie is a free video-editing software for Apple devices. It can be used on some mobile devices with more limited features.