As our district makes the switch to OpenOffice on all of our student computers, teachers are finding some of their previous projects need to be adjusted. Brochures, for example, were quick and easy in MS Publisher, but there has always been a problem… most students do not have Publisher on their home computers. Creating a brochure in Word is frustrating (even more so when converting back-and-forth between Word and OpenOffice).

Some alternative assignments might include creating a PowerPoint (OpenOffice Impress) presentation. Instead of a brochure with 6-panels, have students create a presentation with 6-slides. Or students could create an interactive, online poster called a Glog (http://edu.glogster.com). If there is a specific reason students need to create a brochure, you may want to try MyBrochureMaker.com. The online program is “template” based, similar to Publisher. Being it is online, a student can start his brochure at school and continue working on it at home, if necessary. A TIP Sheet has been created to help students create a free account and begin creating professional-looking brochures. [TIP Sheet]