How Useful are Word Processing Software Applications other than MS Word and Search Engines other than Google?

I know this is a wordy title but we covered so much important material this week. Our word processing/search engine assignments were eye-opening in several areas. First, I learned a great deal about search engines other than Google and MSN, the only two I have used extensively. I enjoyed observing the differences between the metasearch, IXQUICK, and my regulars. It was also fascinating to learn how a metasearch works. Second, besides my old Brother word processor from the 1980's, I have never worked with any word processing software applications other than Microsoft Word. Trying out Google Docs was similar to trying out Google Presentations, Gmail, Google Calendar, SPresent, and Cumulate Draw. I encountered much frustration in navigating, formatting, saving, retrieving, and sending documents from these software applications. On the other hand, it was fun (provided I was in a patient mood) to learn the various functions of these programs and observe how different the results are from Microsoft products.

Learning about new search engines was a valuable activity that I will use in my teaching. I discovered that IXQUICK is more effective in finding business education lesson plans that will engage my students. I found more relevant results using this metasearch over Google or MSN. In addition, my Financial Life Skills students will use IXQUICK to conduct more in-depth research on companies that they are interested in investing in for The Stock Market Simulation. I searched for information on Arby's, Maggiano's, and The Cheesecake Factory and found IXQUICK gets more informative results. On the flip side, IXQUICK did a poorer job in searching for graphics than Google. That, however, will not be a major issue in my rather non-artistic business classes. Other search engines will provide what we need. Overall, my students will benefit by using different search engines so that they get the most relevant results for their research.

The use of Goggle Docs in this activity made me appreciate Word more than I already do. I found Google Docs to be difficult in the following areas: limited font styles and sizes, no repeat key, no formatting paint brush, no paragraph spacing, cannot see current format settings, spellcheck without suggestions or replacements, no bullet customizing, cannot hold the control key to select multiple sections, and no Word Art. Several strong features included autosave, ease of renaming document, revision history, informative help menu, and easy creation of multiple bullet levels.

At Falls North Junior High, we use Word everyday in our business education classes. Word processing is necessary in Computer Applications (letters, memos, reports, citations), Financial Life Skills (stock research reports, budgets, complaint letters, reflections) and Business Venture (business plan, entrepreneur profile, marketing mix). We do have some students without easy computer access away from school. Whether they have access to the Internet (can then use Google Docs) or to MS Office (can use Word) is the question. By informing and training my students in Google Docs, I would hope that all could do word processing for their school work and personal use.