Stand-Alone Instructional Resource - StAIR Dawn R. Harris CEP 811

 When we think of how the computer has made us more productive, many of us think of word processors, spreadsheets, and presentation tools. A "suite" of office tools that encompasses all of these functions, like Microsoft Office, is the software many of us most often use.

 The purpose of this tutorial is to review distinctions between word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation tools and appropriate uses for each.  Click on the next slide to examine characteristics and common uses of these tools that make us more productive.  Test your knowledge with quiz questions scattered throughout the tutorial! Productivity Tools Word Processing Software Spreadsheet Software Presentation Software

A word processor, or word processing program, does exactly what the name implies, it processes words. It also processes paragraphs, pages, and entire papers. Some examples of word processing programs include Word, Writer, Pages, and Google Docs.

 To learn more, watch this short video about Google Docs Name of Word Processor Productivity Suite WordMicrosoft Office DocumentsGoogle Docs WriterOpen Office PagesiWork Word ProcessorMicrosoft Works

Reports Letters Resumes Essays Brochures

Commonly used features that make word processors effective tools include:  Spell and grammar check  Font choices like style, size, and color  Bulleted and numbered lists  Columns, tables, and alignment  Adding pictures, shapes, WordArt, or clip art

 Word processors are a productivity tool.  Word processors are used for creating documents like reports, letters, and resumes.  Popular features on word processors assist the user in formatting text, graphics, and layout.

Question 1 Word, Documents, and Pages are all examples of ______________________.  A) productivity suites A) productivity suites  B) presentation software B) presentation software  C) spreadsheet programs C) spreadsheet programs  D) word processing programs D) word processing programs

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A few other word processing programs include Writer in Open Office and Word Processor in Microsoft Works.

 Question 2  Renee Smith has to write a persuasive essay for her language arts class. What would be the best tool for her to use for this assignment?  A) presentation software A) presentation software  B) productivity tools B) productivity tools  C) a spreadsheet C) a spreadsheet  D) a word processor D) a word processor

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Remember… Presentation software is used for creating slide shows to illuminate presentation topics to an audience. Go back and try again!

These are all “Productivity Suites” that contain other programs besides just word processors!

 Word processors are good for creating documents like letters, resumes, reports, brochures, and essays.

 A spreadsheet is a table used to store various types of data. The data is arranged in rows and columns to make it easier to store, organize, and analyze the information.  Spreadsheets have a number of built in features and tools, such as functions, formulas, charts, and data analysis tools that make it easier to work with large amounts of data.

 To review the basic parts of a spreadsheet, study the poster from this link: Name of Spreadsheet Application Productivity Suite ExcelMicrosoft Office Lotus 1-2-3Lotus SmartSuite CalcOpen Office NumbersiWork SpreadsheetsGoogle Docs SpreadsheetMicrosoft Works How did they do that? Check this out!

Budgets Tables of Information Financial Statements Mailing Lists What-if Analysis

Favorite features that make spreadsheet software an effective productivity tool include:  Charts  Formulas  Functions  Sort  Graphs

 Spreadsheets are a productivity tool.  Spreadsheets are used for creating tables of data and are good for storing, interpreting, and modifying many different types of information.  Popular features on spreadsheets assist the user in making calculations, generating forms and reports, and creating graphs and charts.

 Question 3  Nancy Lo has to develop a budget to see when she will be able to afford the iPad she has been saving for. What would be the best tool for her to use for this project?  A) presentation software A) presentation software  B) productivity suites B) productivity suites  C) a spreadsheet C) a spreadsheet  D) a word processor D) a word processor

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Spreadsheets are wonderful for developing budgets!

 Question 4  Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, and Numbers are all names of ______________________.  A) presentation software A) presentation software  B) productivity suites B) productivity suites  C) spreadsheet programs C) spreadsheet programs  D) word processing programs D) word processing programs

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These are all “Productivity Suites” that contain other programs besides just spreadsheets!

Remember… Presentation software is used for creating slide shows to illuminate presentation topics to an audience. Go back and try again!

A few other spreadsheet applications include Calc in Open Office and Spreadsheets in Google Docs.

 This software is used to create presentations of slides containing text and graphics (and also incorporating sound and visual effects).  These presentations can be projected from a computer display projection unit, or the slides can be printed out onto transparencies.

Name of Presentation Software Productivity Suite PowerPointMicrosoft Office ShowZoho KeynoteiWork PresentationsGoogle Docs ImpressOpen Office PresentationsCorel

Student Reports Business Presentations Photo Albums Teacher Presentations Sales Presentations

Favorite features that make presentation software an effective tool include:  Font options like style, size, and color  Design theme templates  Transitions & Animations  Graphics Tools  Audio & Video

 Presentation software is a productivity tool.  Presentation software is used for creating slide shows to illuminate presentation topics to an audience.  Popular features in presentation software like page layout, design template, images, sound, and text features make it easy for even a novice to make a good looking presentation in a short amount of time.

 Question 5  Charles Washington has to do a demonstration speech for his exploratory class. What would be the best tool for him to use for this assignment?  A) presentation software A) presentation software  B) productivity suites B) productivity suites  C) a spreadsheet C) a spreadsheet  D) a word processor D) a word processor

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These are all “Productivity Suites” that contain other programs besides just presentation programs!

Presentation software would help him get his point across in his demonstration speech.

 Question 6  Impress, Keynote, and PowerPoint are all names of ______________________.  A) presentation software A) presentation software  B) productivity suites B) productivity suites  C) spreadsheet programs C) spreadsheet programs  D) word processing programs D) word processing programs

Go back and try again! These are all “Productivity Suites” that contain other programs besides just presentation programs!

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Other presentation programs include Show in Zoho and Presentations in Google Docs and Corel.

 Question 7  Google Docs, iWork, and Microsoft Office are all names of ______________________.  A) presentation software A) presentation software  B) productivity suites B) productivity suites  C) word processing programs C) word processing programs  D) spreadsheet programs D) spreadsheet programs

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Productivity Suites are very sweet !

Congratulations! You have completed the Tutorial Good Job!

 21 Things for Students   Tech Terms.com The Tech Terms Computer Dictionary  Wikipedia Office Suite  WebTools4U2Use More!  About.com Spreadsheets  Google Docs   eHow Spreadsheets for Beginners for-beginners.html  About.com How to Choose Presentation Software to-Choose-Presentation-Software  NCWiseOwl.org  ExcelACDC.org 