Chapter 6: Word Processing Section II: Using Research and Communication Tools to Enhance Instruction

Chapter 6: Word ProcessingChapter 6: Word Processing

Section II: Using Research and Communication Tools to Enhance InstructionSection II: Using Research and Communication Tools to Enhance Instruction

Section II:Using Research &

Communication Tools to Enhance Learning

Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Frameworks: What we knowFrameworks: What we know• Research studies have found that there are multiple advantages of using WP with students.– Increased productivity of students

– Increased accuracy of students

– Improved student attitudes toward writing

– Improved the quality of writing

– Improved quality of organization, spelling

– Effective assistive technology device for students with mild disabilities



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Basics: Uses of WPBasics: Uses of WPTeacher design and development of

– Exams; quizzes; lesson plans

– Grant proposals; reports

– Communication with parents

– Activity or research guide sheets

Student writing assignments

– Creative and/or collaborative writing projects

– Journal writing; report writing

– Newsletters, brochures, trading cards

Voices in the Classroom

Amy Kelly, MS

K-12 teacher (French and German)



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Basics: Software Options for WPBasics: Software Options for WP• Stand alone / Full featured programs /Software suites

– MS Word (Microsoft) – WordPerfect (Corel)- part of Word Perfect Office X3– Pages (Apple) - part of iWork ‘06

• Integrated programs have WP function – MS Works (Microsoft) AppleWorks (Apple)

• Open Source – AbiWord – Writer - Open Office Suite

• Specialized writing and multimedia software

– KidsWorks - Grades 1-4– Storybook Weaver Deluxe - Grades K-5– Student Writing Center - Grades 4-9



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Basics: Word Processor CapabilitiesBasics: Word Processor CapabilitiesWord processing software has multiple capabilities that make it a useful tool.

• Working with Text

– Entering, editing, saving and printing text

• Formatting

– changes the look of a document or a selected portion of the document

– use default settings or change them using

• document formatting

• paragraph formatting

• font formatting



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Basics - Document FormattingBasics - Document FormattingDocument formatting is changing

the default document settings.

• Orientation

– Portrait

– Landscape

• Margins

– Margins are top, bottom, left, and right

– Can be changed independently of one another



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Basics - Paragraph FormattingBasics - Paragraph FormattingParagraph formatting can be set for the

entire document or just one paragraph.

• Alignment (justification) of text

– Placement of text horizontally on a page

• Paragraph indentations

– First-line indentations:

• used to indent first line of each paragraph in a document

– Hanging indentations:

• indent of all subsequent lines of a paragraph

– Block indentations:

• indent both left and right margins of the paragraph

• Line Spacing

– Single, Double and 1.5



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Basics - Font formattingBasics - Font formattingModify the appearance of text by changing fonts

• Font Families

– The division of fonts into families that share common traits: serif, sans-serif, mono-space, gothic

• Typeface

– Differ in appearance and size

• Type Size

– Font size is measured in points (72 pts. = approx. 1 inch)

• Type Case

– UPPERCASE and lowercase letters

• Emphasis

– Bold, Italic, underline, shadowshadow, emboss, etc.



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Basics - More OptionsBasics - More Options• More Formatting Options

– Bulleted or numbered lists

– Columns

– Tab settings; leaders

• Insertions– Page numbers

– Headers; footers

– Page breaks; section breaks (widows/orphans)

– Hyperlinks

– Tables

• Tools– Spell Check, Thesaurus, Dictionary; Word Count

• Styles

• Text wrap – Wrap text around pictures



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Basics: Moving between PlatformsBasics: Moving between Platforms• Tips for Safely Moving between Macs and Windows

– Save files to Windows-formatted disk if you will be working on both Windows and Macs

– USB drives are universal

– Always keep a back-up



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Adapting for Special LearnersAdapting for Special Learners• Zoom Option

– Allows increase of size of the screen display of text (no change to font size of the printed text)

• Text Color and Background Color

– Text and background can be changed

• Create contrast

• Most effective when used electronically

• Speech Recognition

– Feature is designed to support the need for dictation of words or numbers



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Adaptations Using WP for AccessAdaptations Using WP for Access• Spelling and Grammar Checking

– May be turned on or off

– When turned on, automatic notices appear

• (red underline for misspellings in Word, green underline for grammar issues)

• Document Templates

– Templates can serve as guides for students

• Readability Statistics

– Teachers can check the difficulty of a document by checking these stats

• Auto Summary

– Will analyze a digital document and produce a summary of the main points



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Specialized Word ProcessorsSpecialized Word Processors• Text-to-Speech Word Processors

– Allow auditory feedback of text in a variety of formats

• Word Prediction

– Predicts an word from the first few keystrokes

– Presents possible choices that can be inserted with one key stroke or mouse click

• Rebus-Based Word Processor

– A rebus is a picture or symbol that is used in place of or to describe a written word

• Portable Word Processors

– Text is entered directly into this portable device and then printed



Chapter 6:Word

Processing

Questions???

Documents

Chapter 6: Word Processing Section II: Using Research and Communication Tools to Enhance Instruction