LESSON 3

This week I learned about the importance of word processing and desktop publishing in education. Productivity software is an indispensible tool when handling administrative tasks and instruction. The use of such software increases efficiency and enables the teacher to produce visually interesting, clearly organized, professional documents and teaching materials that improve communication with colleagues and student engagement and comprehension.

Students also benefit tremendously by using productivity software. Word processors aid students in the writing process in many ways. Today, all major word processing programs include spelling and grammar checking, a dictionary and thesaurus, form templates, and page formatting tools in addition to the selection, cut, copy, paste, and delete commands. Utilizing all the available tools offered by the word processor, students can quickly proceed beyond the base levels of the cognitive domain on to deeper thought, evaluation, analysis, synthesis, and creativity. Due to the flexibility of word processing software and effectiveness in manipulating text, students do not dread the process of revision. Instead of rewriting entire passages and papers, students can select incorrect pieces or weak sections of text and quickly make changes.

Word processing programs also help students with learning disabilities or other physical disabilities succeed in writing. The software can actually help students learn to spell correctly. Students with physical disabilities, which prevent them from writing, can use the keyboard with or without adaptive aids to compensate for their impairment. All students can take pride in the professional quality of the documents that they produce with word processing documents.

Desktop publishing software works much like word processors; however, they offer greater control over typesetting, layout, and image integration. Students and teachers alike may use desktop publishing programs to create professional quality documents, pamphlets, flyers, catalogs, magazines, newsletters, posters and books. Desktop publishing software offers even more opportunities for students to create and express themselves with authenticity that reflects challenges that they are likely to face in their daily life or careers after graduation.

Making use of technology gives students opportunities to collaborate to complete tasks in a way that gives them freedom to experiment and be creative. These programs that simplify some of the technical aspects of learning allow teachers to concentrate on other skills and information that are equally if not more important in the real world. Regardless of subject matter, valuable lessons can be taught and learned, as well as used across disciplines by way of word processing and desktop publishing.

I am not teaching, yet, but I have seen the rules poster on the wall of many teachers. I decided to make my own, which is direct, emphasizes key points and is easily visible.