Portable word processors such as the AlphaSmart units are a great way to get your students to do more writing. Students can write up outlines, essays, scripts, articles and even then text for web pages and PowerPoint presentations. By using commas and spaces, they can type up data for spreadsheets and databases too. And since they don't waste time with formatting and "font fiddle", they spend more time concentrating on writing, not layout. Once the first one or two drafts are completed, then you give them permission to copy the text into a Clarisworks, MS Word, Netscape Composer, or PowerPoint file on the computer. It is like having a cluster of computers in your classroom. However, you only need one computer in the classroom and about 10 to 15 word processors since only completed assignments are downloaded into the computer.

It is important to follow these steps completely in the order they are given. You should save student files to a 3.5 inch floppy disk as a backup. Make sure all disks are scanned for viruses. If not, please report this to the computer coordinator.

Step One--Using the AlphaSmart Pro.

• Turn on the AlphaSmart and start typing. Your text will appear in the window. AlphaSmart supports 8 different files. To go to file 1, press F1. Press F2 to go to file 2, etc.
• Use the arrow keys when needed to move your cursor in the text.
• Use the DELETE key to erase.

• Turn on the Macintosh (or PC).
• Start up ClarisWorks on the Macintosh and open a new word processing file. You must have a file in this application open in order to transfer files from the AlphaSmart.
• MAC: Unplug the cable from the Macintosh keyboard and plug it into the AlphaSmart "Y" cable. Plug the other end of the "Y" cable into the Mac keyboard. You should see the following message: Attached to Macintosh, emulating keyboard. Press Send Key to transfer file. If not, check the cable connections.
• PC: Unplug your keyboard from the PC. Using the PC-to-AlphaSmart cable, plug one end into the PC keyboard port and the other end into the AlphaSmart.
• Press the SEND key on the AlphaSmart. Make sure you are in the word processing application (ClarisWorks) before you press the SEND key. If you press SEND while in the Finder, you will rename your files to the text that is in your AlphaSmart.
• Your text will appear on the Macintosh or PC screen.
• Disconnect the cable from the AlphaSmart and reconnect the regular keyboard to the computer.

• At the Macintosh or PC, SAVE the new file. On the Mac, press command "S".
• At the AlphaSmart, press the CLEAR FILE key to erase the text.
• Now you can use your word processor (ClarisWorks on the Mac) to spell check the text and format your file. ClarisWorks can add features such as bold face, italics, outline forms, and some graphics. Save student files to a floppy disk.
• Always use SHUT DOWN to turn off the Mac. Do not move the computer while it is turned on.