Why use Microsoft Office  in the Primary Classroom?

Many times throughout the last few years as a Technology Integration Specialist, I have heard, “I don’t have any software to use with my primary students!” or “Microsoft Office is too hard for my primary students to use!” So I started searching, attending workshops and conferences, reading articles, and brainstorming ways that primary teachers could use Microsoft Office in their classroom. This collection of ideas came about when teachers started saying to me, “I know the basics of the software for my use – now how do I get the students using it?”

One of my basic premises for using Microsoft Office in the primary classroom is that it is preparing students for their future. Another is the National Technology Standards for Students published by the International Society for Technology in Education.

Chosen as a Best of the Best NECC Workshop of distinction for being selected as one of the top 30 workshops at NECC 2004.