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2.3 Software: Your Tools for Success

For your Ashford classes, you do not need to purchase any of the special software to create or
edit PDFs. The Ashford University Technology Requirements specify only that you have Adobe
Reader, software that allows you to view PDFs and that you can download free of charge at
https://get.adobe.com/reader/otherversions. On that web page, to download the correct ver-
sion of Adobe Reader, use the drop-down menu to select your computer’s operating system.

Adobe Flash

Adobe Flash, formerly called Macromedia Flash and Shockwave Flash, is a software program
used to create certain types of graphics, animation, games, and other multimedia applica-
tions. Like PDF documents, special software is required to create Flash applications. You do
not have to purchase this software, however. The only requirement for your Ashford Univer-
sity classes is that you have the Adobe Flash Player, which allows you to view Flash content
and use the interactive features in your Constellation textbooks. Adobe Flash Player is a free
software program (often referred to as a plug-in) that plays through multiple web browsers.
You can obtain the latest version of this plug-in at http://get.adobe.com/flashplayer/other-
versions. Again, select your operating system from the drop-down menu to ensure that you
download the correct version of the Flash Player for your computer.

Using Google Drive to Collaborate With Your Classmates

Now that you are familiar with the productivity software required for your Ashford courses,
let’s take a look at another option you may enjoy using and exploring. Similar to Microsoft
and Apple, Google has developed its own set of productivity software called Docs, Sheets, and
Slides, which are part of a file storage, editing, and sharing service called Google Drive. You do
not have to purchase this Google software and install it on your computer. Instead, you simply
create a free Google account and access the applications directly from the following Google
websites:

Google Docs: https://www.google.com/intl/en/docs/about
Google Sheets: https://www.google.com/sheets/about
Google Slides: https://www.google.com/slides/about

The most exciting benefit of Google productivity software is the ability to collaborate. Once
you create a project, you can share it with your classmates, who can then make additions and
changes right along with you. All of your work is saved automatically and can be accessed any
time from any device with Internet access.

Whenever Jason’s instructors asked him to do a group paper, he and his classmates would
share a Google Docs project and work on it as they had time throughout the week. Jason never
had to wait for the others to complete their section before he could work on his, because he
always had real-time access to the most recent version of their shared project. When the proj-
ect was complete, the group members would save the project as a Word or PDF file and send
it to their instructor. The following link offers a thorough overview of what you can do with
Google Drive and how you can convert the Google files to Microsoft format to submit them as
assignments: https://support.google.com/docs/answer/49008?hl=en.

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