Practical Introduction to Word Processing Cont’d – JSS1 Digital Technologies Lesson Note (First Term)

Word processing is the use of a computer program to type, edit, format and print documents, and this lesson covers pictures, tables, page layout, headers and footers.

Class: JSS 1

Subject: Digital Technologies

Topic: Word Processing (Images, Tables and Page Setup)

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. Insert a picture into a document and resize it without distorting it.
2. Create a table with a chosen number of rows and columns and type in it.
3. Change the page orientation and margins of a document.
4. Add a header, a footer and page numbers to a document.

How do you add a picture to a document?

A picture is inserted from the Insert tab, and it makes a document more interesting and helps explain ideas better.

Steps to insert a picture

1. Go to the Insert tab at the top of the screen.
2. Click on Pictures.
3. Choose “This Device” if the photo is already on your computer.
4. Find the picture you want, click it, and press Insert.

How do you resize a picture?

Resizing means making a picture smaller or larger by dragging the small circles (handles) around it.

• Handles: small circles that appear at the corners once the picture is selected.
• Dragging: click and drag a corner circle to make the picture smaller or larger.
• Tip: always use the corner circles so the picture does not look “squashed” or “stretched”.

What is a table in word processing?

A table is a grid of rows and columns used to list information clearly, such as a school timetable or a list of scores.

What are the parts of a table?

Steps to create a table

1. Click the Insert tab.
2. Click the Table button.
3. Move your mouse over the little boxes to choose the number of columns and rows you need (for example, 3 by 4).
4. Click, and the table will appear on your page.

How do you type in a table?

• Click: click inside any cell and start typing.
• Tab key: press Tab on the keyboard to jump to the next cell.

What is page layout?

Page layout is the way the “paper” is set up on the screen before you print your work.

What is orientation?

Orientation is the direction in which the paper is turned. There are two types: portrait and landscape.

• Portrait: the paper stands tall, like a normal letter. This is the standard way.
• Landscape: the paper is turned sideways (wide). It suits big tables and certificates.

What are margins?

Margins are the empty white spaces around the edges of a page.

• Narrow: use this when you have a lot of text to fit on the page.
• Wide: use this when you want your text to sit in the middle of the page.

How do you change orientation and margins?

1. Go to the Layout tab.
2. Click Orientation or Margins.
3. Choose the option you want from the list.

What are headers and footers?

A header is the area at the very top of a page, and a footer is the area at the very bottom.

• Header: the top area, often holding a book title, as in many textbooks.
• Footer: the bottom area, often holding the page number.
• Why use them: they save you from typing the same text by hand on every page.

Steps to add a header or footer

1. Click the Insert tab.
2. Click Header or Footer.
3. Pick a style and type your text (like your name or the date).
4. To finish, double-click in the middle of your page or click “Close Header and Footer”.

How do you add page numbers?

1. Stay in the Insert tab and click Page Number.
2. Choose “Top of Page” or “Bottom of Page”.
3. Pick a style. The computer changes the number automatically on page 2, 3 and so on.

Class activity

1. Open a new document and change the Orientation to Landscape.
2. Create a table with 2 columns and 5 rows. List 5 names of your classmates and their favourite colours.
3. Add a Footer that contains your full name.

Evaluation

1. State the four steps for inserting a picture from your computer.
2. Why should you resize a picture by its corner circles?
3. Define a row, a column and a cell.
4. Name the two page orientations and say which one suits a certificate.
5. What is the difference between a header and a footer?

Assignment

In your exercise book, write the steps to create a table with 3 columns and 4 rows. Then write the steps to add page numbers at the bottom of a page.