As I write this, I wonder what a world would be like without word processing. Can you imagine no Internet or email? Both of these technologies are dependent upon word processing. If you’re young, you more than likely take word processing for granted. Even after living through the use of typewriters, although primarily during my elementary years, I still take it for granted.
I use word processing everyday to type memos, letters, email messages, and more. I don’t know what I’d do without it. I spend much of my day writing correspondence for work. When I was in elementary school, we were taught to pre-write, create a rough-draft, revise, and then create a final-draft, which was to be typed. Although this procedure is still viable, I usually start a document by keying it into a word processing application. I simply don’t have the time to handwrite a document and then input the information into a word processor. Without these applications, we’d have to pre-write all of our documents and then type them without mistakes. This would be a difficult task for me, as I almost always make additions, subtractions, and deletions while word processing.
Most of the students in my district utilize word processing everyday too. After the Internet, Microsoft Word is the most used application on our computers. The students use Word to process school reports, journals, letters, memos, etc. The students can use Word on any district computer, after which they can save their document(s) to the fileserver. Students also have AppleWorks and TextEdit available for their word processing needs.
I believe most of the district staff use word processing to facilitate many of their needs. Like our students, the most used teacher application is also Word. Our teachers use word processing to develop worksheets, answer keys, parent letters, etc.
I’ll continue using word processing for my daily activities, but I would like to incorporate some of the features that were read and discussed in chapter 6 of the textbook. The tutorials posted on Blackboard were extremely informative and great material for review. I was pleased to pick up a tip or two. I will take these tips and incorporate them into my future documents.
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Ryan, I couldn't imagine not having some sort of word processor in my daily work life either. Most students in our school use word or blackboard on a daily basis. We don't have any student computers in classrooms though (except for computer labs). I also liked the tutorials. Even though I feel like I knew everything about them I did also pick up some tips.
ReplyDeleteRyan, I was in college with an electric typewriter!!! My students really begin to practice proper keyboarding skills in third grade. I use a variety of online typing programs but my favorite is by the BBC. Do a search for "Rock and Roll" or "Dance Mat" typing. This helps them get more excited about word processing. Have you used the word to text technology in your district? I have found that the inability to type has left a few of my students frustrated. Is there software you can recommend? You may just have to pay a visit to Woodmont Academy! :)
ReplyDeleteRyan, I agree with you, the world would truly be a different place without the many benefits of word processing. Just email alone has benefited the educational system in countless ways. In your blog you mentioned TextEdit, I will have to look that one up. Either way it is nice to see that your district offers your students different word processing options beyond the obvious Word. I also agree that the tutorial materials posted on the blackboard were helpful, there seems to always be more to learn with any piece of software no matter how many times one has used it.
ReplyDeleteRyan I agree the world would be different without word processing. It allows us to save time with our daily routines at home and school. I type my daily lesson plans, quizzes, test, labs, assignments and agenda using word processing software. I also use word processing for writing letters to staff and parents, writing practice plans, and doing graduate homework.
ReplyDeleteIn my 7th grade science class, most of my students use word processing to type research papers, lab reports and other assignments.
I think most of us take word processing for granted and don't truly appreciate it's effectiveness. I would also I would like to incorporate some of the features that were read and discussed in chapter 6 of the textbook.
I didn't even think about email as a word processing program! I certainly couldn't live without email. It's interesting to read that Word is the most used application by your district staff. I never really thought about it, but I bet it would be the number one around here too. There are somedays where I probably open 15 different word documents. Of course if some of them had better file names I might not have had to open them... but that's a whole other issue!
ReplyDeleteGail,
ReplyDeleteI HATED our typewriter!! I have to say I'm grateful for computers. Without them, I'd still be using a typewriter and even worse, I wouldn't have a job.
I searched for those applications on Google and found them. It's always great to find application alternatives. We use Type to Learn in our district, which costs about $700 per building. The online typing applications care FREE and they require no installation :) I'll pass this site along to our technology teachers. Thanks!
Unfortunately, I can't help you in the word to text department. We don't utilize any word to text software in my district. I have used Dragon Naturally Speaking, but that was years ago. At that time, the application was terrible. I imagine the word to text technology has come a long way since those days.
Dan,
ReplyDeleteTextEdit is an application that comes standard on all Apple computers. It's comparable to Microsoft's WordPad. It's an extremely basic application, including only the essentials necessary for word processing a document.
Ryan, I have a Canon Rebel XTI. Decent camera, nothing special for a Dslr. I haven't taken any professional classes or anything. Just have a lot of practice. When you use the SLR's you need to make yourself play with the M setting (manual) and just flat out figure it out. That way you get a better idea of what to do for each setting. If you have the money I would get the Canon 40d or 50 d if you're a canon fan. If not the Nikon's are nice too. I bought a couple of books to figure out the settings and how to take specific kinds of shots. You need to get good lenses too. I have one decent lens and some below average lenses. You can get good no name brand lenses that are cheaper and are pretty much just as good, Sigma, Tokina, Tamron to just name a few. If you have any questions or anything just let me know and I'd be glad to offer my advice (even though I don't know much).
ReplyDelete