Word Processing

Your children may come into contact with computers in their individual classrooms, a computer center in their school, in their school library, or in their neighborhood public library.

Select a question below to learn more about word processing. Use the navigation to the left to learn about other general technology uses.

1. What does Word Processing mean?
2. Are there different kinds of word processing programs my children will use?
3. What skills do my children need to word process?
4. Will my child be required to do assignments by word processing?
5. Where can I learn word processing for myself?

Are there different kinds of word processing programs my children will use?

Your child will likely use one of three word processing programs:

• Microsoft Word
  
  
• Wordperfect
  
  
• iWork

These programs are manufactured by different companies and, while they are different, they are alike in many ways. Which program your child uses will depend on what kinds of computers he or she has in school or at the local library.

• If you would like to see the manufacturers home page for Word, go to:
  http://www.microsoft.com/office/word/default.asp
  
  
• If you would like to see the manufacturers home page for Wordperfect, go to:
  http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite/us/en/Product/1151523326841
  
  
• If you would like to see the manufacturers home page for iWork, go to:
  http://www.apple.com/iwork

It is possible for you to get reviews of word processing software on the World Wide Web. Some good general sources for these reviews include:

• CNET
  http://www.software.cnet.com
  
  
• ZDNet
  http://www.zdnet.com/reviews/
  
  
• IT Reviews
  http://www.itreviews.com/index.htm
  

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