To keep your computer running efficiently, there are a few things you can do.

The user has several options for cleaning up the hard drive, but the best way is to manually clean it - meaning use Windows explorer to single left click on files and folders to delete them. Using this method ensures that important information is not accidentally destroyed. To manually delete files and folders follow these directions: Open Windows Explorer to view the contents of your H:\ drive. If you've created folders then you should be familiar with their names and what's in them. Dates of files are good clues to their age and relevance. Deleting folders from the hard drive is accomplished the same way as a file. REMEMBER, deleting a folder also deletes ALL the files in that folder. If a user wants to keep the data sent to the Recycling Bin then use Windows Explorer to Copy the information to a floppy, zip or other storage media drive (CD if you've got a CD Writer).

OR, Click on Start - Accessories - System Tools

Then you can choose from Disk Clean Up or Disk Defragmenter.

Disk Clean Up will take you through a process to get rid of things that you do not use or need on your machine to make it run more efficiently, however this utility doesn't remove personal data files or data generated by installed software. It may even remove some Windows features that seldom used.

Disk Defragmenter will re-arrange your files and programs on your machine to make them run more efficiently.  If you run this program BE SURE YOU LET IT FINISH.  If you quit the defrag process in the middle you could severely damage your machine.
 

All computers running Windows 95/98 have on the desktop a folder icon labeled "My Documents". Computer users who don't understand files and folders and simply choose "Save" rather than "Save AS" can generate a great number of files in the "My Documents" folder because this folder is the default folder for most programs that generate user data. (meaning that if the user does not give their work a name and tell the computer where to put it the computer names their work and puts it in the "My Documents" folder.
How do I DELETE files I no longer need that are stored in the "My Documents" folder? The following steps tell you how to delete files from the "My Documents" folder using the icon for it on the desktop and assuming that you are seated in front of your computer with the desk top displayed and the universe is in proper alignment.

1. Double left click on the "my documents" folder icon. (it opens in a window with a list of files showing.)
2. Single RIGHT click on the name of a file that you want to delete. (a little menu opens with a list of things you can do to the file and delete is on the list.)
3. Single left click on the DELETE menu item. (Another window opens asking if you are sure that you want to send the file to the recycling bin. click YES)
4. The file disappears from the list in the "my documents" folder.

This procedure actually deletes the file from the "my documents" folder and moves it to the recycling bin folder. So it's not really deleted from the machine yet. To delete it from the machine and free up some hard drive space do this.

1. Double left click on the RECYCLING BIN icon. (a window opens showing all the files in the recycling bin.)
2. Single left click on FILE from the menu bar at the top.
3. Single left click on Empty Recycle Bin from the drop down menu.
4. All files in the recycling bin are deleted from your hard drive.
 

In technology language the term Uninstall is associated with removing software programs from your computer's hard drive. Software programs must be "installed" or copied from some other media or source to your computer to function. It is therefore reasonable to understand that if something is installed it can be uninstalled. During the process of "installing" software many changes are made to a computer's configuration. Sometimes these changes conflict with other software that is already installed and the result can be a computer that doesn't function at all. Uninstalling can do the same thing. However, using Uninstall can free up hard drive space and relieve your computer of some unwanted material. If you've downloaded some programs from the net, installed them and no longer use them or if your status bar looks like a catalog of toy stickers, follow these steps to uninstall those unwanted, neglected, memory hogging, computer destroying, learning experience programs.
1. Double left click on the My Computer icon. (a window opens with a list or icons displayed)
2. Double left click on the Control Panel icon. (another window opens with more icons or a list showing.)
3. Double left click on the Add/Remove programs icon. (another window opens showing three tabs at the top and the tab displayed should be the Install/Uninstall tab. If this tab is not showing simply single left click on the name Install/Uninstall to display it.)
4. On the Install/Uninstall tab window a list of installed programs is displayed on the left. The list of programs is in alphabetical order by the name of the program. Scroll up or down the list until you find the name of the program you want to Uninstall.
5. Single left click on the name of the program you want to Uninstall and make it turn blue. (select it.)
6. Single left click on the REMOVE button at the lower right of the window. (a message is displayed asking if you really want to do this. If you do then single left click on the YES button.)
7. A series of windows opens and closes and a lot of stuff goes by on the screen and finally a window is displayed telling you that the program was successfully uninstalled.
8. Close all the open windows by single left clicking the X button in the upper right corner of each window until you are back at the desktop.
9. You've just deleted an unwanted program from your computer.
During the process of uninstalling some programs you may see a message that tells you a file is shared by other programs and asks if you want to keep it. Always answer YES to these questions or some of your other programs may not work. The above described procedure can be dangerous especially if you don't know what you are doing. The best policy is; don't uninstall anything you personally didn't install yourself.
 

Both windows 95 & 98 support a feature called CUT, COPY and PASTE. You see these words on drop down menus and pop out boxes (when you hit the right mouse button) for most ALL windows programs. Here's what they mean.
CUT - remove the selected object (like text, graphics, pictures or table) and put it on the clipboard.
COPY - make a copy of the selected object (like text, graphics, pictures or table) and put it on the clipboard.
PASTE - take what's on the clipboard and put (paste) it where my cursor is on the screen.

The CLIPBOARD is an invisible area behind what ever is on your screen. It can hold text, graphics, pictures, or almost anything that is visible on your screen. Think of it as a real clipboard that you use to store stuff on temporarily for later use in something else you are doing. The clipboard can hold only ONE thing at a time. You can CUT or COPY one thing to it and then paste it over and over again. But the next time you choose CUT or COPY the new selection replaces the last thing that you selected.

To use CUT, COPY and PASTE you must first SELECT the text or object that you want to CUT or COPY. SELECTING means about the same thing as highlighting with a yellow highlighter on paper. On a computer you are making the background a dark color and the letters white. This tells the computer "I want to do something with this selected object." To "SELECT" something simply hold down the left mouse button and slide the mouse right or left or up or down until what you want changes color. An easier way for me is to hold down the SHIFT key and press the arrow keys until what I want is selected.

Notice I've been using the word object rather than text. That is because you can CUT, COPY and PASTE almost anything you can "SELECT" including pictures, graphics, cartoons, tables, spread sheets, lesson plans, objectives, big letters, small letters, grades, name lists, and totals from a number column. If you had a typed list of objectives in a document you could CUT a typed objective and PASTE it into a lesson plan saving a lot of time building the lesson plan.

CAUTION! Remember...
CUT - removes it from one place and PASTE puts it in another.
COPY - makes a copy of it at one place and PASTE put another copy in the second place. 

Copyright, Fair Use, and legal issues related to technology and electronically stored information is complex and laws regarding educational use are not clear. In a time when education funding is limited, and the desire to adequately educate students is frustrated by unfunded mandates, we as educators may "justify" using copyrighted materials illegally by telling ourselves "it's for the kids." There is something higher at stake with this issue.

As educators we teach, but we are also examples of good citizens to our students and peers. We teach character education and two of the traits listed are Responsibility and Honesty. What kind of example do we set for our students?  Just because you can doesn't mean you should.
 

All versions of Windows come with several seldom-used "Accessories" that have educational applications in a classroom or lab setting. The value to a teacher is that these accessories are already installed on every computer that has Windows and are ready to use by students with a little instruction. Here are some of the "Accessories" and their potential use:

Windows Calculator: Start - Programs - Accessories - Calculator. A fully functional electronic calculator that works just like the small hand held models. Use either the mouse to click the numbers or the numeric keypad keys to input numbers for calculations. With the answer showing in the window select Edit and then Copy from the drop down menu to paste to another document or application. Every Windows machine has a calculator built in ready for student use. 

Windows Paint: Start - Programs - Accessories - Paint. A graphics program that not only lets students draw and experiment with colors but also supports the input of printed text and pictures for changes.
Educational Applications: Elementary students could learn basic graphic arts skills while learning computer skills at the same time if permitted to use Windows paint to create pictures related to holidays. Secondary students would benefit from inserting pictures and changing them to fit an educational publication or project.

Your reload may also have the these programs on the taskbar at the bottom of the screen.
 

There are three kinds of external storage media that computer users must function with occasionally. The 3.5 inch floppy. the Zip disk is larger in size and capacity than the 3.5 floppy. And, finally there is the CD, which is much larger in capacity and size than the other two. The first thing to remember is that these three media are not interchangeable - meaning that a zip disk won't fit or work in a 3.5 floppy drive and visa versa. The CD ROM is completely different in the way it stores information from the zip and floppy.

Here are some Do's and Don't for these media types.
For Zip and floppy:
1. Label the disks so you'll know what's on them. It's ok to write on the disk label or directly on the plastic cover.
2. Don't try to put the disk into the drive backward. It will only go in one way. Best rule is "if it don't fit don't force it!"
3. Carefully remove the disk from the drive. Removing it fast or at an angle will sometimes pull the silver metal slide cover off the disk leaving it in the drive rendering both useless.
4. Remember, the zip disk only works with the zip drive, which comes in two sizes - the zip 100 and the zip 250. A zip 100 disk won't work in a zip 250 drive. Look on the disk and the drive for the capacity.
For CD's.
1. Don't write on the bottom side of the CD. Label only the top side.
2. Handle the CD by the edges or a finger through the hole in the center. Fingerprints or a scratch on the bottom surface destroys the data.
3. Don't use the CD as a Frisbee or tree ornament and expect it to work when you put it in the CD drive.
4. If you buy software on a CD keep, protect, and guard the CDs after installation. They are your only proof of purchase and the vendor is not likely to replace damaged CDs unless you have the old ones and a sales receipt to prove that you bought it.

Files are data stored electronically on a computer's hard drive. Files have properties like a name, the size of the file, the type of file, and the date and time it was created and saved. There are other properties associated with files that Windows keeps track of behind the scenes. File Tracking is made very clear when you realize how much information is being tracked and stored by Windows when you create something as simple as a word processing document.

A quick way (but not the only way) to see the properties of a file you have created is to choose OPEN then single left click on a file name to highlight it and then right click on the file name and choose properties (on the bottom of the list). A window opens with some of the following information on it depending on whether you are using Win 95,98 or XP.

Type of file - what program created it or its file extension.

Open with - identifies the program that can open the file and display its contents.

Location - the file's complete location path showing all folders.

Size - the file's size in kilobytes.

Created - the date/time the file was first created.

Modified - the date/time the file was last modified.

Accessed - the date/time the file was last accessed.

Look for the PROPERTIES option when you right click on any file, folder, or icon. Some interesting information about the file, folder, or object is contained in a list.
 

What do I do when the machine "locks up" and nothing on the keyboard or mouse works? Most of the time users will  "turn the machine off." While this sometimes solves the problem, it can cause damage to data and program files on your hard drive.  Also, if you are connected to a network, it could cause damage to data files used by everyone. An alternative to unplugging the computer is the CONTROL, ALT, AND DELETE KEY. If a user presses the Control Key, and the ALT Key with their left hand and holds them down and then presses the DELETE key with their right hand this tells the computer "stop what you are doing and listen to me!" When these three keys are pressed in the correct sequence the computer stops what it's doing and gives the user a small window with a list and three options. The END TASK options tells the computer to stop what it's doing and close all the files associated with the operation. (Most of the time this solves the problem.) The SHUT DOWN option does the same thing but in addition to closing the files it also shuts down the machine. The CANCEL option lets the user cancel the screen that gives these three options. One word of caution when using this procedure is if you press the CONTROL, ALT and DELETE keys twice in close sequence it causes the machine to SHUT DOWN and RESTART itself. So, use it carefully. I have experienced a delay of up to 15 seconds sometimes when I press the three keys before the computer does anything. If you use the Control, Alt, and Delete keys give the computer about 30 seconds to respond before trying it again. Choosing END TASK will solve most problems without having to shut down your computer. You may have to choose END TASK twice for it to function but that's just normal for windows.

The heart of understanding most software is knowing how to copy and move files from one place to another. The safest way to copy or move files is by using WINDOWS EXPLORER. (Don't confuse this with Microsoft Internet Explorer a completely different program) Windows Explorer is a file manipulation program that comes with Windows 95\98. It is listed on the Start - Programs - menu and is usually the last thing listed on the pop-out menu.

To COPY a file from the C:\ drive on your machine to a floppy disk in A:\ of your machine follow these steps.
Before you start - put a formatted floppy disk in drive A:\ and know the name of the file you want to copy and what folder it is located in.

Choose: Start - Programs - Windows Explorer.
Find the folder that contains the file you want to copy.
Double click the folder name to open it.
Find the file name that you want to copy
Single left click on the file name and make it turn blue. (select it)
Left click on the FILE pull down menu.
Choose SEND TO from the pull down menu.
Left click on the 3.5 floppy {A}
The file is copied to the floppy disk in A:\ drive if you put a disk in it before your started. Keep in mind that a floppy disk can hold only 1.44 megabytes of information. If you select a file that is larger that 1.44 mb all of the file may not be copied.
 

Why does my screen need saving you ask? To prevent "burn in" is the answer. When a monitor screen is left on for an extended period of time with the same words or pictures displayed, the radiation from the back of the "picture tube" tends to "burn" the pixels on the front of the tube and leave a lasting impression that interferes with other things that are displayed. While annoying, this does not prevent the use of the monitor. To prevent "burn in" from occurring Windows 95/98 comes with a screen saver. It is actually a small program that resides in computer memory on startup (if enabled) and then when the computer has not been used for a period of time it starts automatically and runs. The result is moving pictures or text that are displayed on the screen in a random order to prevent the radiation from being focused on any one point on the picture tube surface for an extended period of time thus preventing "burn in." What does this mean for users? Basically, if you are going to use a screen saver, use the ones that come with Windows 95/98. The ones you find on the Internet and download tend to be memory hogs slowing down the performance of your computer and many are very large in file size taking up megabytes of hard drive space. Some have even been known to interfere with other critical program operations. Additionally, screen savers interfere with programs that automatically save your data periodically like Word and Word Perfect occasionally. Simply turning the screen off with the on-off button will also prevent "burn-in" and it does not harm the computer to turn the monitor off and leave the computer on. Turning the monitor off also prevents prying eyes from a closer investigation of your system and possible unauthorized invasion of your data. The best screen saver is really no screen saver - just turn the thing off when you're away for a period of time.
 

in Word

A simple way to save time when using Microsoft Word to type lesson plans is to save a document you create as file named "form". Lets say you type up a lesson plan with a heading, the student objectives, text reference, and other parts of a lesson plan complete with an outline. You then "save as" the document with a name like "LP1Ma" for lesson plan 1 Math in a folder that you created called Math. Then you print the document out and use it to teach from on Monday. Next block or next year or next semester you use the same lesson again and make changes to it because it's safely stored (and hopefully backed up) on your server folder. Over a career you can build entire courses of lesson plans that make your teaching efforts very professional. The important consideration is the time it takes to create all those lesson plans. Here's the tip. Create a new document in Word for a lesson plan. Add a heading then insert a few blank lines and type student objectives, add a few more blank lines and type materials/resources and continue with the blank lines and typing until you have all the "components" of a lesson plan but no information about the lesson. Then choose "save as" from the file menu and name the document LPForm for Lesson Plan Form. Now the "blank" lesson plan "form" is saved on you hard drive. The next time you need to create a lesson plan just "open" the LPForm document and type in your information about the lesson in the blank lines without having to type all the headings, components, and objectives. That's right, you can go to the Teacher Planning Period Page and look under Course of Study for the objectives and Copy them then Paste them directly into a lesson plan under objectives. The only catch is; be sure to save the lesson plan you "filled in" on the lesson plan form with a DIFFERENT name. That way you still have the blank lesson plan form document on your hard drive along with the lesson plan that you just created and renamed. Here is a list of the basic steps to follow creating the lesson plan form and then creating lesson plans from it. In Microsoft WORD: 1. Create a new blank document. (File menu then New) 2. Type in the "components" of a lesson plan. (heading, number, resources, objectives, materials, text ref, assignments, etc.) 3. Save AS the document and give it the name LPForm. (File menu then SAVE AS) 4. Close out Word and do something else for a while. Use the LPForm document to create a new lesson plan. 1. Open Microsoft Word. 2. Open the LPForm document. (File menu, Open, and then select the folder it's stored in - you'll have to remember where you stored it - if you don't try looking in the MY DOCUMENTS folder.) 3. Double left click on the LPForm file to open it. 4. Type in the information for the lesson in the blank lines that you left when you created the lesson plan form. Use the arrow keys or the tab key to move around the document. 5. Critical ACTION! When you finish with the lesson you've typed go to the FILE menu and single left click and choose SAVE AS. 6. In the SAVE AS popup window type a NEW and different name for the LPForm document. The name LPForm will be showing in the filename box, just type right over the top of it. (the LPForm document is still out there on your hard drive just like you first typed it.) 7. Then single click the save button and your new lesson plan is saved in the folder that you designated. The LPForm is still out there too ready to be used again and again. What happens if I don't change the name?? What ever you typed "covers up" the LPForm and the next time you open it you won't see blank lines to type a new lesson plan into.
 

IP stands for Internet Protocol (address). One computer communicates with another computer on a network by using a unique number (IP address). This address is given out to each computer that "logs on" to the network by the network SERVER computer based on a number range authorized for that network.
 

If you are a Power Point user then you are familiar with the process of creating slides and running the Power Point show. Including pictures, clip art, and graphics makes the presentation appealing to the audience and everything works fine as long as the presentation is shown on the same computer that it is created on. However, if you "save as" the presentation to a floppy disk and try to open it on another computer, then some of the graphics are not displayed on the slides. The reason for this is that the graphics files are often in separate folders and are not "saved" to the floppy. Then when you display the show on a different computer the software doesn't know where to find the graphic file to display them. Using the Pack and Go feature from Power Point's file menu solves this problem. Pack and Go copies all the graphics files along with the text slides onto a disk so that what you see on the creating computer is the same thing that you see on the playing computer! Pack and go is a wizard that takes the user step by step through saving the presentation to a floppy or multiple floppies depending upon the size of the presentation. To use pack and go in Power Point single left click on the file menu and then single left click on Pack and Go and follow the step by step instructions of the wizard. One hint - have two or three blank formatted disks ready when you start. Pack and Go stores the presentation on the floppy or floppies. When you move to another computer use Windows explorer to single left click on the .exe presentation file name and the presentation is copied to the new computer automatically. Using Pack and Go can ensure that your presentation and all its parts are successfully copied to another computer.
 

In e-mail BCC stands for blind carbon copy. Blind means that the person receiving the message only sees the senders return address in the heading. For a mailing list with multiple addresses this is important. A mailing list with say 25 addresses called group1 will display every address in the heading of a message if the mail list name (group1) is typed in the "to" field or the "cc" field of an outgoing message. The receiver of the message then has to scroll down past all the addresses to find and read the actual message. (very annoying and time consuming.) Plus, the sender is advertising the names on their mail list and providing a convenient way for anyone who views the message to copy and paste the addresses into their own mail list which can be used to advertise products or solicit donations or in political situations canvas for votes. Misuse of mail lists for unsolicited messages is called spam in the computer world and is also the means by which a virus is spread.

A better way to send a message using a mail list you have created is to do the following:
1. Create an address book entry called "me" (don't use the quotes- just an m and an e) and enter your own e-mail address.
2. When you want to send a message to the mail list group you have created do it this way: Open a blank message window in Eudora.
Type "me" (without the quotes) in the TO: field.
Tab down to the BCC field and type the name of your mail list group.
Tab down to the message area and type the message.
Then single left click on SEND.

Here's what will happen. You'll receive a copy of the message you sent to the group in your incoming mailbox. Each member of the mail list group will receive a copy of the message, however only your e-mail address will appear in the heading and NOT all the addresses on your mail list.
 

A list of instructions that tells computer hardware what to do, display on the screen, process, save, and print is called a computer program and also referred to as software. Software can be grouped into three categories. Commercial, shareware, and freeware which refers basically to the cost of the programs.

Commercial Software like Microsoft Office, Gradebook, and Accelerated Reader are produced by companies with one objective in mind and that is profit from the sale of licenses for its use. You don't buy the program; you buy a license to use the program on one computer. The actual program still belongs to the company that developed it. A company like Microsoft has the resources to check legal licenses of entities that use their products.

Shareware is software produced most often by individuals who like programming. They develop simple and even complex programs for specific purposes. Shareware is not free. The cost of a shareware program varies between $10 and $50 depending upon its popularity and what it does. There are some very good educational shareware programs available.

Freeware is as its name implies free computer software. Users should be ware that anything with the word free on it should be approached with caution. Free could mean that there are strings attached such as subscription, registration, limited use time, and hidden features in the software that send personal information across the internet.

Shareware and Freeware programs (.exe files) are restricted by  the Springdale Public School District network by the acceptable use policy and the threat of viruses. If you find commercial, shareware, or freeware programs that you want to use with students here is the procedure to follow BEFORE installation or download.

1. Notify the your building LA with the website and name of the software.  He/She will notify the Technology Office of the file name and location (URL) of the software in question or submit a copy of the purchased software.

2. The Technology Office will download the software, scan it for viruses, test its functionality and compatibility with network operating software and evaluate its potential use on both stand-alone machines and network machines.

3. If the software is found to be valid, functional, safe and meets the two criteria below it will be authorized for your use.  If in the case of software that must be purchased, the software will be installed only after documentation of license and payment can be produced.

 

Microsoft Word has a built in thesaurus which can provide users with alternate word choices while composing a document. Here's where to find it and how to use.

The thesaurus is found under the TOOLS menu option then LANGUAGE option and THESAURUS on the pop out menu. To use the thesaurus first compose a document or open an existing document and find a word that you would like to change to a different word that conveys the same meaning. Use the mouse or keyboard keys to highlight the word. Single left click on TOOLS (on the menu bar) then single left click on LANGUAGE on the drop down menu and finally single left click on THESAURUS from the pop out menu. A small window opens with the word you selected on the left and a synonym list on the right. Select the synonym you want to use by single left clicking on it and then clicking on REPLACE at the bottom of the window. The word you selected is replaced in the text by the word you selected from the list of synonyms. A list of antonyms can be displayed in the thesaurus window by clicking on the antonym list. The "look up" button produces an additional list of words related to the original word that could be used. Click cancel to close the thesaurus window and return to your document.

Students might type in a spelling word list into Word and then look up a synonym and antonym for each word to achieve technology and keyboarding skills while learning spelling at the same time.
 

Microsoft Word has a cool feature called Word Count. It's found under TOOLS on the menu bar. Word count gives you statistics on a document with regard to the number of words present or the number of characters with or without spaces. Most users think this feature applies to an entire document but you can do individual paragraphs or sentences too. Just highlight the paragraph or sentence and then choose TOOLS and Word Count from the menu and a window appears with the word, character, paragraph, and line counts. This feature is nice to have if you're working on a document that requires limits to the number of words you can use like describing Friday last period with 30 students on a rainy day. But, it could have educational applications for students writing research, term, essay or theme papers too. Having students understand the relationship between the number of words they use to express their thoughts and ideas and effective communication is important. 
 

Printers are not the same thing as a copier. Most printers are designed to produce limited numbers of printed documents only. Print cartridges, toner and printer parts are expensive and should be used wisely.

That is why most Microsoft programs as well as other software come with a feature called Print Preview. Print Preview lets the user "see" exactly what the document is going to look like when it is printed. Print Preview allows the user to see the margins, position, and appearance of the document in miniature before printing. Most programs are equipped with both spell and grammar checkers. Therefore, the user has the tools to "proof" a document before it is actually printed. Taking time to proof a document and then view it in Print Preview should help save paper and printer resources and allow users to maintain expensive printers well into the future.

How to get to Print Preview in most Microsoft Programs.
(Print Preview works the same way in most all Microsoft Programs.)
With a document open in Word:
1. Single left click on the File menu item.
2. Single left click on the Print Preview from the drop down menu.
Print Preview opens with your document displayed. (Short cut is single left click on the white paper icon with the magnifying glass over it from the tool menu bar.)
Print Preview Window.
Your document is displayed in a window with tool bars at the top. It is displayed in miniature and the words may not be readable. However, you can see if words or sentences go off the page and the general appearance.
Increase the size of the display:
1. Single left click on the small down arrow next to the zoom box that has the % number visible. Choose 50% and your document size increase to 50% of its original size. It should be readable at this level. Increasing the % lets you view the document even larger.
2. View multiple pages. If your document has multiple pages, you can view the multiple pages by single left clicking the little green box with 4 white boxes inside and then highlighting the number of pages you want to view. This is good for knowing where page breaks are and for documents that contain tables.
There are many other features available in Print Preview to explore and examine that will save you time and make your documents look professional. The reason for Print Preview is to help you save paper and resources of your printer. Using Print Preview to finalize your document does just that. Selecting PRINT should be the last thing you do to a document.
 

Have you ever wondered if the document that you have created is easily readable?

What is the Fleche-Kincaid Grade Level reading scale for that test you typed?
When was the document created, how big is its file size and how long did you spend typing on it?
Microsoft WORD keeps up with all of this information behind the scenes for you and does it for every document that you create.

Here's how to display the Kincaid-Kincaid Grade Level reading score and Fleche-Kincaid Reading ease score:
With Word open on your screen and a document displayed:
1. Single left click the TOOLS menu item. (Drop down menu appears.)
2. Single left click OPTIONS near the bottom of the drop down menu. (A window opens with several TABS across the top.)
3. Single left click SPELLING & GRAMMAR tab. (the window changes to display a list of items related to spelling and grammar with white check boxes beside them.)
4. Near the bottom under the GRAMMAR section single left click in the box beside "Check grammar with spelling" (a black check mark should appear in the box.)
5. Single left click in the box beside "Show readability statistics." (A black check mark should appear in this box also.)
6. Click the OK button at the bottom right of the window. (The window disappears.)

You have set Word to calculate and display the readability stats for every document that you create. Now all you have to do is create a document or open a document you've already created and spell check it to see the scores. Here's how.
1. Single left click the File menu item.
2. Single left click the Open option.
3. Select a document file that you have previously created (single left click on the filename) and then single left click on Open. (the document is opened.)
 

Building PowerPoint presentations for a class can be time consuming and stressful especially if the class you want to use it in is scheduled for tomorrow. Here are some speed tips to help condense the time required for development.

1. Dark letters on a light back ground work best and are most easily seen through a TV converter or projector. There's nothing wrong with leaving a slide's background WHITE and using dark letters.
2. Stick with either Times New Roman size 30 to 36 point or Arial size 40 to 48 point fonts for heading and major points. They are most easily viewed from a distance.
3. When brainstorming for the presentation use Microsoft Word outline view to type the outline and then transfer it to PowerPoint outline view. Individual slides can then be made from the outline with major point headings and subtopics already made for each slide.
4. For non-typists remember copy and paste works in PowerPoint too. Set up a folder to store "clipped" stuff from the web then copy and paste to a slide.
5. Limit the number of graphics and their size in your presentations. By doing this a 20 slide presentation will fit on one 3.5 floppy for easy transfer to another computer.
For the advanced PowerPoint users, try this to view those kool effects that you incorporate into a slide. While editing a presentation, hold down the CTRL key while clicking the slide show view button; this will open a tiny preview window showing that slide in slide show mode.

Remember, Murphy's law applies to electronic presentations! Always have a plan B to fall back on when the computer, pro