Office Software describes software used to work on documents, spreadsheets and presentations.
All 5th - 12th grade students have a school-provided Google Apps account, which includes Google Docs. Google Docs is a web-based application that provides word processor, spreadsheet, presentation, and drawing services that run inside your web browser.
Some advantages of using Google Docs are:
Available at any computer that has Internet access. (Just remember to log off when you're done.)
Files created using Google Docs can be downloaded or exported into common file formats, such as those used by Microsoft Office (.doc, .xls, .ppt), OpenOffice (.odt, ods), or PDF (.pdf).
Allow your teacher to also edit/view a file in Google Docs to offer help or suggestions, without having to download it and email it to them.
Here's a shortcut link to our school's Google Docs application: docs.cshk12.org
OpenOffice is an office software suite that you can download & install on your home computer or laptop. There are versions available for all operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, etc) and in many languages.
OpenOffice is available on all the school's computers and laptops.
If you already have another office suite installed (e.g. Microsoft Office, Microsoft Works, Apple iWork), installing OpenOffice will not mess it up or interfere with it. (In other words, you can have both installed.)
Along with saving files using its own format (.ods, .odt, .odp), OpenOffice can save to Microsoft Office formats (.doc, .xls, .ppt) and can export as PDF (.pdf).
OpenOffice can be downloaded at no cost from these web sites:
download.openoffice.org - official download web site
go-oo.org - enhanced version of OpenOffice... download OpenOffice from there
If you want to instead use what you already have on your home computer or laptop, be sure to double-check that the file you're turning in to your teacher is in a format they can accept.
Nearly all office software can save to other file formats by using the "Save As..." feature. Use this feature to convert your file into a file format that your teacher can accept. If you're not sure which file formats can be turned in, just ask your teacher.