The distinction between word processing and desktop publishing has blurred over time, but the major differences are ones of degree and emphasis.
Word processing's major strength is text manipulation, but it has limited tools and palettes for publishing.
Desktop publishing's major strength is the ability to combine text and graphics to communicate, with greater control over the document's design.
Historical Background
Europe before the 1400s, troubadours traveled from place to place, transmitting information orally.
Johann Gutenberg revolutionized communication in 1450 with the invention of moveable type. His printing innovation gave more people the opportunity to read by making books more available, and his basic concept stayed unchanged for 400 years.
Ottmar Mergenthaler invented Linotype in the late 1880s. Linotype was the first successful automated typecasting machine, allowing the operator to cast an entire line of type at once with a keyboard.
Tolbert Lanston invented the Monotype machine in the later 1880s. This machine produced three characters of set type per second, was widely used for books, and dominated typesetting until 1950.
The first phototypesetting machine was introduced by Intertype in 1950. Phototypesetting was faster, less costly, and more flexible than cast type.
Digital typesetting was developed in the mid-1960s. Today, it coexists with phototypesetting as the standards for setting type and uses computer typesetting equipment to describe letter forms as nearly invisible dots. This invention led the way for desktop publishing.
The term desktop publishing (DTP) was coined by Paul Brainward of Aldus Software in the 1980s.
What is Desktop Publishing?
Desktop publishing (DTP) is the second most popular use of computers in the schools after word processing. Desktop publishing uses the personal computer, in conjunction with specialized software, to combine text and graphics to produce high quality output either on a laser printer or a typesetting machine.
The multistep process of DTP involves different types of software and equipment:
The user creates and/or edits texts and graphics, using the word processor and a graphics program.
The user inputs text files and graphics are input into the DTP by using the keyboard, a scanner, floppy disk, CD-ROM or video digitizer.
The user lays out the text and graphics, revising and refining the final product.
The user prints the final document on a laser printer or, for better quality, on a typesetting machine.
The user obtains proofs of the document, and then makes changes and corrections for a final copy for printing.
Desktop publishing can produce many kinds of documents, including newsletters, flyers, and banners.
Desktop publishing allows one individual to create on-screen layouts, use different typefaces or fonts, right-justify texts and lay out multiple columns, insert and print art/text on the same page, and print camera-ready copy.
DTP is a more versatile, faster, and less expensive way to produce publications than traditional methods, because it involves fewer people and fewer revisions. Several quality DTP programs exist for all kinds of computers.
Desktop publishing programs include PageMaker (Adobe), ReadySetGo (Manhattan Graphics), AppleWorks (Apple), Microsoft Word and Publisher (Microsoft), and QuarkXPress (Quark).
Desktop publishing programs differ in degree of complexity, cost, and features.
Basic Desktop Publishing Features
Some of the features included in DTP are a spelling checker, thesaurus, fully integrated word processor, text rotation, and various graphics tools.
All DTP programs offer page layout, word processing, style sheets and templates, graphics, page view, and Web page creation.
Page Layout is the process of arranging various elements on the page, such as margins, columns, and the position of graphics and text. Some programs, such as Adobe PageMaker (Adobe) and QuarkXPress (Quark), are more powerful in their ability to perform page layout control and design. Most page layout programs include templates and wizards, which allow the user to select a pre-made design to attain a desired visual effect.
All DTPs can edit and format text to some degree, but some programs are more powerful than others.
Most page layout programs are based on frames, boxes that have text or graphics, which have resize handles, a move feature, and text wrap for overflow of text from one page to another.
Editing features allow the user to enter and edit text and import documents from other programs. Typical functions are delete, insert, and copy. The majority of DTP programs have spell checkers and thesauruses.
Formatting features such as type size, font, and typeface determine how the page will look.
Style sheets and templates assist the user with design. A style sheet is a format that can be repeated throughout the paper. Templates are professionally designed documents that are used as guides to create a document.
Graphics in DTP programs allow the user to add different types of pictures or graphics to text by drawing them, importing them, or using pre-made templates. Typically, the graphic is created in a draw or paint program and imported into the publishing program.
Examples of graphic tools in a DTP such as QuarkXPress (Quark) include tools for item, content, rotation, zoom, text box, picture box, table, line, line text path, linking, unlinking, scissors, and starburst.
DTPs generally offer features that customize artwork, such as reduce, enlarge, rotate, flip a drawing; zoom in for detail; and edit, pixel-by-pixel.
Page view allows the user to see how the page layout looks before the document is printed. More powerful DTP programs include a full range of page view magnifications.
Web page creation can be achieved through programs such as QuarkXPress (Quark) and Microsoft Publisher (Microsoft). Web documents can be created through desktop publishing, imported as HTML documents and posted on the Web, then edited in programs like Dream Weaver (Macromedia) to create fully functioning Web pages with buttons and hyperlinks.
Learning to Use a Desktop Publishing Program
Programs such as Microsoft Publisher (2003) allow the user to create a layout, add text and graphics, and refine the product to produce a printout.
Wizards or templates speed the procedure of creating projects such as worksheets, flyers, signs, posters, and other graphical material. The clip art gallery has hundreds of pictures that can be inserted into designs, or the user can create pictures with paint programs to insert. Various layout tools and color scheme choices allow the user to customize the document.
users experiment with layout and importing of art, they frequently need to use the print preview feature to view the entire page and the zoom feature to view small sections of the document.
Printing can be achieved through use of a laser printer or a more professional quality typesetting machine.
Integrating Desktop Publishing into the Classroom
Teachers and students can use DTP applications such as Microsoft Publisher 2003 (Microsoft) to produce a multitude of projects.
Teachers can use DTP to create worksheets, signs, flyers, posters, or other graphical materials to display in the class or give to students.
Students can produce mini-books, book reports, yearbooks, advertisements, newsletters, posters, and flyers.
Classroom projects might include a class newspaper, posters and flyers, school yearbook, and science experiment sheets.
How to Choose a Good Desktop Publishing Program
Many DTP packages are on the market today, and some are especially suited for classroom use. See p. 212 for a checklist of features to consider when selecting a DTP program. Some examples of DTP programs for classroom use are Storybook Weaver Deluxe (Riverdeep), Print Shop 15 (Windows), and Microsoft Publisher 2003 (Microsoft).
choose a DTP program for the classroom, the user should consider students' needs and six criteria:
Hardware compatibility, memory, speed, and storage availability must be considered.
General features such as column creation, enlargement and shrinkage of graphics, font styles, and other important capabilities must be considered.
Instructional design in DTP means the program design should be straightforward, easy to use, fast, and flexible, with accessible program functions.
The program must be easy to learn and use simple English commands. Users should be able to learn how to use all the features of a program in about an hour.
Consumer value is a major consideration in choosing a program for the classroom. Program costs range from about $50 to several hundred dollars. Templates, graphic arts, on-site licenses, lab packs, and networked versions should be considered.
Support is a key aspect to DTP program selection. The program documentation, such as a manual or tutorial, should be helpful, and accessible customer support online and by telephone should be available.
Learning to Use a Desktop Publishing Program in the Classroom
Although DTP seems like a straightforward process, there are always compatibility problems between different programs with different features and capabilities. Some are easier to use and import graphics more easily, while others offer more flexibility in painting and drawing tools but are more difficult to use.
For a list of recommended DTP software, see Appendix A and the desktop publishing checklist on p. 105.
Programs must be examined in terms of their age-level suitability. They vary in flexibility, features, ease of use, and cost.
Storybook Weaver, The Ultimate Writing and Creativity Center, KidsWorks Deluxe, and the Imagination Express Series are effective for primary classrooms.
Student Writing Center and Print Shop 15 are suitable for the middle grades.
Adobe PageMaker and QuarkXPress are suitable for advanced high school, adult, and college-level users.
Guidelines for desktop publishing in the classroom include planning ahead, determining the format, adding emphasis to the work, avoiding clutter, considering the audience, choosing the right approach, and being flexible. Six activities for motivating students to use a DTP program are discussed on pp. 107-114, and computer lab activities are on p. 116.
