Before purchasing word processing equipment, school business officials should develop a study team to assess current and future needs. Communication with personnel involved is essential for the acceptance of both the study and the word processing equipment. (Author/MLF)

Word processing software eliminates the physical barrier that young children experience as they struggle to make letters, by hand as well as the psychological barriers some children perceive when they equate their poor handwriting with a lack of writing ability. (MT)

Clinicians, students, and administrators can save time and effort in preparing, revising, and producing reports on students with communication disorders by using word processing programs on microcomputers. The article discusses the characteristics, applications, and requirements for word processing programs as well as criteria for selection.…

Based on a study of eight LD students learning to use word processing, the paper makes recommendations for evaluating word processing software and designing instruction that is sensitive to students' difficulties. (Author/CL)

Describes PC-Outline, a computer program from Brown Bag Software. Reports that this outlining program is useful in organizing information into trees, hierarchies, outlines, or categories. (MM)

This guide provides a detailed evaluation form, together with complete instructions for using it, which is designed to elicit answers to the following questions: (1) What features and abilities does a specific word processing program have? (2) On which computer(s) will the program work? (3) Is additional hardware/software necessary before the…

The article demonstrates the use of word processing commands for the creation of sections of diagnostic reports, intervention plans, and progress summaries. The use of basic commands for searching and finding key words in a core report is illustrated, along with chaining sequences for writing objectives. (Author/CL)

Describes how using split screens allows students to see writing as a complex and recursive yet coherent process rather than as a linear progression of distinct activities. Suggests that "windows" encourage sustained engagement in prewriting by opening accessible passageways for movement from prewriting and planning to drafting and…

Reports the major findings of a national survey of office professionals conducted by Honeywell Incorporated. When asked how they would spend $10,000 to increase their personal productivity, the majority of workers surveyed said they would buy a computer, software, or word processor. (MD)

Users of desktop publishing may be distracted from clear communication by the advanced features of the technology. Common problems include irregularly-shaped blocks of copy, angled type, excessive underlining, widows and orphans, unequal spacing, excessive hyphenation, exaggerated tabs and indents, grammatical errors, cramped logos and addresses,…

Word processing software and microcomputers can be used in the production of college catalogs with several advantages. The personal computer can assist in all phases of catalog production. In the preliminary preparation of the catalog text, the microcomputer can serve as the central location of all stored data, it can facilitate the editing…

This paper compares the characteristics of dot-matrix and daisy wheel printers using a two-column format. In the first section, the left column is used to point out the advantages of dot-matrix printers, while the daisy wheel printer is praised in the right-hand column. Examples of various capabilities are included. Advantages of the dot-matrix…

The University of Pittsburgh has a 2-year agreement designating the Xerox Corporation as the primary supplier of word processing and related office automation equipment in order to increase productivity and more efficient use of campus resources. (MLF)

Outlines one school's approach to using microcomputers to help teach writing skills in high school. (MD)

Milwaukee (Wisconsin) has two schools that offer courses in word processing as a part of their business education curriculum. The author describes how the two programs were established. (MLF)