3) Microsoft Word

Microsoft Word offers a number of benefits to any classroom.  It is free, easy to use, and technologically engaging as opposed to the pen and paper.  It also offers as a helpful resource to students who may suffer from learning disabilities relating to fine motor skills.  Plus, features in Microsoft Word can transform a simple work sheet into a fun and engaging activity for all.

Teachers who use notebooks and other paper-based materials for lesson plans may find something as simple as a snow day or a new student can wreak havoc on their written instructions. Instead, Microsoft Word offers a simple way to update instruction plans by simply copying, pasting, overwriting and adding text. Teachers may even reuse instructions and materials from year to year, just changing the date on exams, syllabi and notes, saving themselves the effort of re-creating the materials.

Learning and using Microsoft Word in the classroom doesn't just give students the ability to operate the word processing program. Teachers may take advantage of the fact that a great deal of Word's features, menus and tools are exactly the same in some of the other Microsoft Office suite programs such as Exel, PowerPoint, or Publisher. Using Word in a classroom during one period of time may make instruction of another program easier at a later date. In many cases, students who know Word already know how to perform the basic tasks in most of the other Microsoft Office products.

Therefore, Microsoft Word offers numerous benefits to any classroom.  Not only is it easy to use, it can be fun, engaging, cut costs and time for educators, aid students with disabilities, and help build a knowledge of other Microsoft programs.  Microsoft Word is already a common feature in every classroom.  I use it with my students as well as have them use it at home.  It is a great tool for education and I don't see that changing anytime in the near future.