Business and secretarial studies: The impact of word processors

Abstract

Word Processors are being introduced into offices in the UK in relatively large numbers. The market is expanding fast; installations are estimated to have increased by 25–30 per cent in the last year, and now number around 21,000 [1].

The introduction of micro-technology, in particular the word processor, is changing traditional office work. New skills and qualities will be required of future office personnel, and it follows that the new technology will affect education and training for office workers of the 80s. Moreover, if Further Education Colleges are to take up the challenge of educating and training students to meet the changing demands of industry and commerce, the re-training of staff to equip them to teach the new technology and design appropriate courses becomes of paramount importance.

To find out how FE Colleges are responding to the new developments, the author carried out a field survey in 1981. The aim was to assess the impact of word processors on the teaching of business and secretarial subjects in FE, by determining the extent to which they are already introduced on courses taught, and investigating the availability of equipment for teaching purposes; equally to learn the extent and methods of staff training.