Student Resources—746

Technology Skill Handbook
Technology Skill Handbook
People who study science rely on computers,
like the one in Figure 16, to record
and store data and to analyze results from
investigations. Whether you work in a laboratory
or just need to write a lab report with
tables, good computer skills are a necessity.
Using the computer comes with responsibility.
Issues of ownership, security, and privacy
can arise. Remember, if you did not
author the information you are using, you
must provide a source for your information.
Also, anything on a computer can be accessed
by others. Do not put anything on the computer
that you would not want everyone to
know. To add more security to your work, use
a password.
Use a Word Processing
Program
A computer program that allows you to
type your information, change it as many
times as you need to, and then print it out is
called a word processing program. Word
processing programs also can be used to
make tables.
Figure 16 A computer will make reports neater and
more professional looking.
772 STUDENT RESOURCES
Amanita Pictures
Computer Skills
Learn the Skill To start your word processing
program, a blank document, sometimes
called “Document 1,” appears on the
screen. To begin, start typing. To create a
new document, click the New button on the
standard tool bar. These tips will help you
format the document.
■ The program will automatically move to
the next line; press Enter if you wish to
start a new paragraph.
■ Symbols, called non-printing characters,
can be hidden by clicking the Show/Hide
button on your toolbar.
■ To insert text, move the cursor to the point
where you want the insertion to go, click
on the mouse once, and type the text.
■ To move several lines of text, select the
text and click the Cut button on your
toolbar. Then position your cursor in the
location that you want to move the cut
text and click Paste. If you move to the
wrong place, click Undo.
■ The spell check feature does not catch
words that are misspelled to look like
other words, like “cold” instead of “gold.”
Always reread your document to catch all
spelling mistakes.
■ To learn about other word processing
methods, read the user’s manual or click
on the Help button.
■ You can integrate databases, graphics, and
spreadsheets into documents by copying
from another program and pasting it into
your document, or by using desktop publishing
(DTP). DTP software allows you
to put text and graphics together to finish
your document with a professional look.
This software varies in how it is used and
its capabilities.