• Standard chapter format—Advanced organizers, “Show Me,” “Let Me Try,” and summaries create stand-alone units, each devoted to a separate software application.

  • Allows instructors to better tailor the course to the needs of their students; chapters may be taught independently, in whatever order is desired.

• Visual “screen captures” format with minimal verbiage—Guides students, step-by-step through the use of the software via “Show Me” sections on each major function followed by “Let Me Try” sections that encourage hands-on practice.

  • Provides graphic representations of what software looks like on the student's computer screen by showing rather than telling, and providing actual practice opportunities, it makes concepts clearer and hastens learning.

• Works templates of standard teaching/classroom “products”—Newsletters, grade books, lesson plans, posters, and other items that future teachers can take into their first classrooms and use immediately or modify quickly and easily to meet specific needs.

  • Creates a wealth of practical, concrete items that demonstrate the versatility of the software applications.

• Companion CD-ROM—With additional examples for each Microsoft Office component.

  • Broadens text usefulness: instructors can choose from a wide range of examples, and students can use additional examples for separate study on their own.

• Thorough appendices—One for each software application discusses uses of the software that go beyond the basics.

  • Enlarges the audience for the text by providing information on advanced uses of the software, as well as side issues, such as “netiquette” for e-mailing.

• Coverage of ISTE standards—Significant attention paid to these in the introductory chapter emphasizes their importance in today's classrooms.

  • Ensures students know these standards, especially important in light of current expectations of accountability.

• Reading/instructional level geared to those with minimal computer literacy—Almost all one needs to know is how to turn on the machine and how to use a mouse.

  • Extends the applicability of the text to instructors and students for whom applications software is still a mystery.

Patricia J. Fewell is a professor of secondary education and foundations at Eastern Illinois University. She received her Ed.D. in 1988 from Illinois State University. A certified K-I 2 media specialist, she is currently teaching introductory educational media for pre-service teachers. Dr. Fewell has served as president of the division of educational media management of the Association for Education Communications and Technology (AECT) and as secretary/treasurer for the AECT board of directors, and she currently serves as secretary for the Education Communication and Technology Foundation (ECT) Foundation. She also presents at state, national, and international conferences on technology applications in the classroom.

William J. Gibbs is a professor in the School of Technology and the coordinator of the Center for Academic Technology Support at Eastern Illinois University. He received his Ph.D. from the Pennsylvania State University in 1992. Dr. Gibbs teaches courses in instructional technology and works with faculty to design and develop technology-based learning programs. He has presented at state, national, and international conferences on instructional technology and has had a number of articles published in this area.