People sometimes ask me, “Why does TechnoKids write for Microsoft Office? Why don’t you create materials for Open Office or Google Apps?”
UPDATE 3/26/2018: Several years ago, TechnoKids began to create technology projects for Google Docs. We also continue to create new technology projects for Microsoft Office. Refer to the Project Matrix to find a project that is right for you!
I always reply, “Because that is what is used in the workplace and schools are designed to prepare students for their future careers.”
Of course the next statement that they say is “But Open Office and Google Apps are free, so lots of schools use them”.
I recognize that there are budget restraints. I think people should be more honest about their loyalty to Open Office or Google Apps. It is liked because it is FREE, not because it is the ideal Office Suite.
I then go back to my first statement, “Schools are designed to prepare students for the workplace. TechnoKids will create materials for other Office Suites when the principal, vice principal, secretary, and teachers at the majority of schools agree that Google Apps has everything they need and Microsoft Office is no longer required for them to efficiently do their job”.
Schools will often give students FREE software such as Open Office and Google Apps but provide their administrators, faculty, and other support staff, with Microsoft Office. I think that if a person requires Microsoft Office to do their job efficiently, it is likely the students need it too!
Does that mean I don’t like Open Office or Google Apps?
Nope. I like them. In fact, I think that Google Apps has improved significantly. However, it does not erase the reality that Microsoft Office is prominent in the workplace.
Perhaps over time that will change. However, I have to tell you that based on my job duties there is no free Office Suite available that can offer the productivity tools I require. I am sure that there are many other professionals in the workplace that feel the same.
It is my opinion that students need to know how to use Microsoft Office proficiently as it is likely they will need to use it in the future. Do you agree? I invite you to post your politely phrased comments to tell me what you think.