The paper explores the capabilities and limitations of computerized spelling checkers, and describes "School Speller," which operates with the "Magic Slate II" word processing package. Program features include requiring students to practice spelling by re-typing words unrecognized by the program, and allowing teachers to view the accumulating list…

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)

Discusses the challenges of teaching desktop publishing (DTP); the industry is in flux with the software packages constantly being updated. Indicates that the demand for those with DTP skills is great. (JOW)

Advantages of using online systems are described, and specific techniques for successfully transmitting computer text files are described. Topics covered include Microsoft's Rich TextFile, WordPerfect encoding, text compression, and especially encoding and decoding with UNIX programs. (LB)

FlipPhr is a MicroSoft Windows application program that rearranges ("flips") phrases or other expressions in accordance with rules in a grammar. The flipping may be invoked with a single keystroke from within various Windows application programs that allow cutting and pasting of text. The user may modify the grammar to provide for…

Surveys the current state of Extensible Markup Language (XML), a metalanguage for creating structured documents that describe their own content, and its implications for information professionals. Predicts that XML will become the common language underlying Web, word processing, and database formats. Also discusses Extensible Stylesheet Language…

This study investigated the use of a word processor for enhancing the academic outcomes of three students with writing disabilities in a junior high school. A single-subject ABAB design was used to compare academic output produced during class time with and without a computer equipped with a word processor. The number of spelling errors, the…

For six weeks, middle school students gathered information about peanuts from a variety of text and media sources to create an original informative book, thereby combining goals in both technology and language arts. By conducting authentic research about one topic for a concentrated period of time, students were able to develop and fine tune their…

Words associated with perceptually salient, highly imageable concepts are learned earlier in life, more accurately recalled, and more rapidly named than abstract words (R. W. Brown, 1976; Walker & Hulme, 1999). Theories accounting for this concreteness effect have focused exclusively on semantic properties of word referents. A novel possibility is…

The use of computers and computer-based applications is prevalent in schools, from the classroom to the principal's office. This study of middle school principals in Virginia and West Virginia addressed the following eight questions: (a) What computer technology applications are available to middle school principals? (b) What are the perceived…

This guide was developed as a "how to" training device for obtaining help with AppleWorks version 2.0 word processing files using the Apple IIGS computer with two disk drives. Step-by-step instructions are provided for program loading; selecting the help list; and using the help list to copy text, delete text, find parts of a document,…

Step-by-step instructions for using the Appleworks word processing program are provided in this manual designed to introduce students at Saint Mary's University (Texas) to the use of word processing for writing papers in their courses. The five lessons cover the following topics: (1) facts about computers and the equipment needed to complete this…

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…

This discussion of microcomputer outline processors shows how they can make it easier to jot down random ideas on a topic, organize them into a workable structure, and view all--or a specific portion of a topic--at an appropriate level. Functions, uses, and features to look for are described. (EM)

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)