Print-based computer training.

* Microsoft Office XP, print and CD-ROM, 2001, 437 pp., DDC Training Services, $30.

This training course is a spiralbound textbook with a CD-ROM that contains exercises. Students need to have Word 2002 installed on their computer. The course assumes you have no knowledge of Word and begins with starting Word 2002. Then it proceeds to explain all of the old and new features of the software.

The book organizes instruction into several steps. Each lesson is broken down into sub-lessons. Each lists the skills to be covered. New terms that pertain to this exercise are explained. A section called Notes provides a detailed, step-by-step explanation of how to accomplish a given operation.

Next comes the procedures section, which has the student perform the operation on the computer by following a step-by-step list in the text. Finally, the On Your Own section has the students do some type of real world exercise involving the operation they have just learned, for example, writing business letters, brochures, or web pages. No help is given.

Some of the On Your Own exercises are on the CD-ROM. However, the CD-ROM does not offer interactive instruction. The course designates which exercises pertain to MOUS examinations.

The DDC Testing Center uses interactive tests to provide assessment of Office skills. The Instant Training feature gives test takers a chance to either re-take missed questions or get instant on-screen help. Each test contains between 50 and 60 questions.

Purchase of Testing Center entitles unlimited users to take unlimited tests on an unlimited number of computers. However, you must have a full custom installation of Microsoft Office XP to use the DDC Testing Center, and an unlimited license will cost you $1,500.

Recommendation

DDC Training Services' Office series is quite a good course for its vintage. The text is thorough, clear, and concise. The portability of print allows students to study without being tied down to a computer. At the same time, it is really old hat for a desktop training course to lack interactivity. The course would even be better if it offered both the text and interactive instruction on the CD.

DDC Training Services product rating

Holds reader interest    ** 1/2

Instructional value      ***

Self-study value         *** 1/2

Value of content         ***

Value for the money      ***

Overall rating           ***

Outstanding     ****

Very good       *** 1/2

Good            ***

Above average   ** 1/2

Average         **

Below Average   * 1/2

Poor            *

NA              Not applicable

NR              Not rated (usually not enough information)