Integrating supportive design features and technology into the home are excellent ways to plan to make a home "age-friendly." When an immediate need occurs for eliminating barriers in an existing home, supportive design features and technology will most often need to be examined, and some form of implementation will need to take place. While…

A class newsletter can help students learn about each other while they gain important social, writing, and interviewing techniques. Computer programs to produce a newsletter, to do word processing, and to manage data are described. (MT)

Describes a study showing that primary grade students can benefit from using a word processor in activities that involve the creation of text. Suggests activities that further extend the value of the word processor in language arts instruction. (EL)

Presents a how-to guide for producing student booklets with a word processor. Steps in the production process are discussed including formatting the text, layout, editing, and final paste-up and printing. (MBR)

Provides ways to use the standard functions of word processors to help students effectively edit on-screen "soft copy" as well as ways to counter the illusion of perfection caused by drafts printed on high-resolution laser printers with proportional fonts. (RS)

Organization and word processing software programs empower students with disabilities to become more independent in their writing. In this article, the authors describe techniques for incorporating organizational programs and word processing features into the writing process. Beneficial features include word prediction, voice output, spell…

Describes several uses for computers in the English classroom, including word processing, typing practice, and networking. (MM)

A study was conducted at Skyline College (California) to identify the career planning skills needed by word processing students; to select career planning concepts appropriate for the four semesters of the college's word processing program; to match the career planning skills with appropriate secretarial courses; and to develop career infusion…

Noting that technology is rapidly changing how people write, and why, this book explores the types of computer-mediated writing that can be undertaken by students of all ages and abilities, from elementary school through the university, both within and outside the classroom. It addresses such issues as whether there are computer programs that…

Describes how to use word processing with first graders in lessons exploring oral and written language via the computer. Suggests ways to use the language experience approach in whole-class as well as small-group instruction. (SR)

Educators at elementary, middle, and high school levels will find that integrating digital tools and resources--many commonly used by students in their "out of school" lives--can be a springboard to creativity and new skills. In this article, the author describes how word processors, presentation software and hardware, mind-mapping applications,…

The article describes how to use a word processing program and add-on story starters for different genres to enhance elementary students' creative writing skills. Teachers input story starters, then students select a genre and add on a story version in that genre. Students can also develop their own story starters. (SM)

Examines a number of language activities in educational software, noting that most focus on surface structure and conventions, thus closing off students' options rather than expanding them. Discusses how, by improvising with word processors, teachers can tailor activities to help students explore and reflect on their reading and writing…

A practicum used the Keyboard Familiarization approach (introducing students to the location of keys on the computer keyboard) to integrate the computer into a traditionally taught first-grade spelling program, using laminated copies of the computer keyboard. After completing basic drill and practice sessions on the laminated keyboard, the 23…

Six practical computer-oriented classroom activities are presented. They include making cryptograms using the search-and-replace function of word processors, making a frame for a Logo picture, examining Atari POKE commands, and comparing equivalent commands on different microcomputers. Also indicates the usefulness of marking on monitors with…