Word+Processing+Software

= Word Processing Software = = = Joel Sackenheim

Description and Uses of Technology
Word processing software quickly became one of the most common uses of computers, as being able to type a document on a computer proved to have numerous advantages over computer word processing's predecessor, the typewriter. According to Webopedia (2011), the biggest advantage was the computer's "backspace" button, which allowed document creators to delete unwanted text or mistakes without the need for white-out or for simply starting the document over. Other early advantages proved to be the ability to move whole blocks of texts around and reposition them within the document, ability to make certain text bold or italicized, and the ability to insert text within a document--all of which was impossible back in the days of typewriters. Later on, other advantages were realized, as word processing documents could be saved electronically as files and sent via e-mail. As technology advanced, word processing software grew to be able to include pictures/clip art and sound, as well as numerous other features like tables/tabs and spell-checking features. The advantages over the traditional typewriter became more and more numerous.

While there are many forms of word processing software out there, the general consensus in 2011 is that Microsoft Word is the gold standard, according to James Marshall (2011). As is typically the case with economics, since Word is the gold standard, it stands to reason that it is also the priciest of the word processing software available. At the time of publication of this article, Microsoft Word was available for purchase as a stand-alone software (not bundled with the rest of the Microsoft Office package) in the $140 range (Top Ten Reviews, 2011). Because of this, the cost of Microsoft Word may be prohibitive to some, and for those in that situation, they might opt to pay for cheaper word processing software like Works, WordPerfect, iWorks for Mac, or one of the online word processing tools (some of which are free). The alternative software still provides many of the features that Word provides, though there is not the seamless integration between other Office programs like Excel, Powerpoint, and Access that helps to make Word the most popular. But on the flip side, for those that are just starting to use word processing software, less complicated programs like Works may be easier to use, given that there are not as many bells-and-whistles as with Word; the learning curve is not as great.

Important Findings on Student Outcomes
Besides the traditional advantages of the software, there are some special features that have helped struggling students to do better in English. One of these features is the Word's AutoSummarize tool, which allows for modification of texts. According to Berkeley and Lindstrom (2011), the AutoSummarize tool will allow a teacher to paste a document into Word and then cut the size of the text down to a specific number of lines, words, or percentage of the original text; the AutoSummarize tool will find the most important points in the text--the ones most relevant to the overall theme.

Berkeley and Lindstrom (2011) also mention that word processing software can be very helpful in helping struggling readers learn how to read through the use of Text-to-Speech (TTS) technology. It is through this technology that word processing software can change the written word into spoken text that can be heard by struggling readers as they read along.

Emerging Trends and Open Issues
Cordell (2011) finds that problems with handwriting (both student handwriting and teacher handwriting as well) can be overcome through the use of word processing software and writing electronically. Cordell claims that he now always makes editing marks and revision suggestions electronically, due to his own terrible handwriting. But he claims that for teachers brand new to that methodology, the emailing of the same paper multiple times back-and-forth can be confusing to manage. As an alternative to email, he mentions Google Docs, which is one of the online versions of word processing software.

With online software, multiple authors (or students and teachers back-and-forth, like in Cordell's case) can edit documents and have access to those documents at any time online.