Microsoft PowerPoint
PowerPoint is used in a variety of situations both in school and work. Students are expected to be able to create PowerPoint presentations in High School for their different classes. They are also told that for any job that uses a computer (and that's quite a lot these days!) there's a possibility for the need for PowerPoint. They will use PowerPoint to make presentations about themselves, their career interests, travel destinations, and others.
Microsoft Excel
Students will be using this program to create a personal budget and learn how to manage their money. They will also learn how to calculate sales tax and discounts on various products they're interested in. We also use this program to organize a food chart that shows the kids how healthy or unhealthy their favorite foods are.
Microsoft Word
Students will be using this to learn how to create professional documents such as a resume and cover letter, and a general letter to a business. We also use Word to create fliers, advertisements, magazine covers, and brochures.
Microsoft Publisher
Publisher will be used to create holiday cards, business cards, and web sites. Every year I encourage the kids to create holiday cards for the children at Albany Medical Center. The cards are sent to the hospital and distributed to the children over the holiday season.
Internet Explorer - Search Engines
In this unit, the students learn how to properly use a search engine, such as Google, to look up information quickly and efficiently. Having this skill will help them not only in their classes, but in life as well. Having information at your fingertips and knowing how to find it are two different things. Students will learn how to get to the information that's out there in a quicker more efficient manner.