DigiTools

DigiTools is a one-semester course that reflects a new direction being taken in high school keyboarding. It not only has the standard teaching methods of learning to type and format documents but also covers software-specific computer applications for Microsoft Office XP, including PowerPoint, Excel and Access. DigiTools also teaches students selected competencies for MOS Core Certification for Office XP. As their final project, students create a PowerPoint presentation that brings together the applications learned.

Karl Barksdale is currently an instructor at the Utah County Academy of Sciences and is a former instructor at Farrer Middle school in Provo, UT. He has recently been a consultant for Google. Formerly a Development Manager for the Training and Certification team at WordPerfect Corporation, he obtained a master's degree in curriculum from the University of Utah and applied his degree as the Secondary Curriculum Coordinator for Provo School District. Later he returned to education as a Business Education instructor. Since that time he has authored more than 50 business and computer education textbooks for South-Western Educational Publishing, Course Technology, Speaking Solutions, and other publishers.