Getting familiar with your Word Processor
Before you can begin using your word processor to its full advantage, you need to know the different things your word processor can do. There are many different types of word processors in use today. Some of the more common are

• AppleWorks or ClarisWorks™
• Microsoft Word™
• Microsoft Works™
• Word Perfect™

  Some ways to get started learning about your word processor are reading the documentation that came with your particular piece of software, buying a book that has information about using your software, taking a class, and looking on the web for information or tutorials. Go here and print this page to keep track of information resources you find useful about your software.

  On Line Resources:

  • Basic MS Word Tutorial for Mac or Windows
  • Extensive MS Word Tutorial
  • Microsoft Works letter tutorial
  • How to copy web text to a word processor
  • Another MS Word Tutorial
  • Everything about Word Perfect
  • AppleWorks or ClarisWorks Tutorials
  • Apple's tutorial page for AppleWorks
    
    

  Books:

  • Microsoft Word 2000 Bible by Brent D. Heslop, David F. Angell
    1128 pages Bk&Cd Rom edition (May 1999) IDG Books Worldwide; ISBN: 0764532812
  • MacWorld Office 98 Bible by Bob Levitus (Editor), Deborah Shadovitz, Edward Jones, Derek Sutton
    843 pages (June 1998) IDG Books Worldwide; ISBN: 0764540416
  • MacWorld Clarisworks Office Bible by Steven A. Schwartz
    600 pages (January 1998) IDG Books Worldwide; ISBN: 076454016
  • Wordperfect Office 2000 Bible by Stephen E. Harris, Erwin Zijleman
    1170 pages (July 1999) IDG Books Worldwide; ISBN: 0764532413

Using the Draw Tool, Tables, and Charts
Refer to your resources above and learn to use your draw tools and tables. Many times the tools that come with your word processing package are easy to use and more applicable to the task than a more complecated graphics or charting package. Take a look at a couple of the documents I created using only Microsoft Word and the tools that come as a part of it, then try one on your own that will fit with a lesson you use.

• A standard KWL Chart with a clipart owl
• A Venn Diagram

Slide Shows and Electronic Blackboards
Use your word processor to make transparencies to use as a slide show.
Connect your computer to a large screen TV or projection unit and use it as an "electronic blackboard".

Multimedia
When you are projecting on the screen and not printing to paper, most modern word processors allow you to embed video, animation and sound. Make use of these features and you will be able to use multimedia in your lesson even though you may not have access to a true "multimedia program.

Now that you have gone through this page, meet with your group and in 5 minutes brainstorm how many different ways you can think to use a word processor as an instructional tool!

More Word Processing Links!