The tutorial contained on these pages will prepare you to successfully complete Mary Washington College's proficiency requirement for word processing.

The tutorial has been divided into seven sections; a "Getting Started" section is followed by six instructional sections covering a number of related skills. The menu on the left lists all of the sections as well as the corresponding skills.

For each skill that is presented you will find a textual explanation. In most cases, you will also find a link to a short animation (labeled "Show Me").

At the end of each section, you may test what you have learned by completing the corresponding "PRACTICE" exercise.

You may wish to progress through the sections sequentially or focus on particular skills you are interested in learning more about.

When you have finished reviewing the tutorial provided on this site and feel comfortable with your preparation, you may then complete the required word processing assignment and submit it via the Blackboard Digital Drop Box (available through the "Tools" button in Blackboard).

After your assignment has been reviewed and graded you will receive an e-mail informing you of your performance.

The assignment does not necessitate the use of either Microsoft Windows or Microsoft Office (although these two products would certainly work). To complete the assignment we recommend that you have the following:

1. Computer: any networked computer (ethernet is preferred but a 56K V90 modem would also work)
2. Applications: any word processing application capable of opening, modifying, and saving an RTF (Rich Text Format) document; any spreadsheet program capable of opening, modifying, and saving a CSV (Comma Separated Values) document; any java-enabled Web browser
3. Access: an account in the MWC Blackboard system (provided automatically to all degree-seeking students)

This tutorial is intended for self-paced individual training. It is optional, but it provides excellent preparation for successful completion of the required assignment. To complete this tutorial we recommend that you have the following:

1. Computer: a networked computer with a Microsoft operating system (95/98/ME/NT/2000, XP)
2. Applications: Microsoft Office XP; a java-enabled Web browser
3. Other: a screen resolution of at least 800x600

If you have concerns or questions about anything that is presented on this site, you may contact us via e-mail (plowery@mwc.edu).