This document is designed for high school teachers to use in teaching a course that introduces students to computing through hands-on experience with databases, spreadsheets, desktop publishing, and word processing. The document begins with a rationale, brief course description, list of course objectives, and list of 10 innovative teaching strategies. The remainder of the guide consists of units devoted to the following topics: word processing (improve keyboarding and language skills and use word processing software to create and format formal and simplified memorandums, reports, and business letters); desktop publishing (create documents with borders, original drawings, color; clip art, and original art; use draw and paint tools; and apply effective design principles); spreadsheets (become familiar with spreadsheet components, navigate in a spreadsheet, change cells' sizes, enter data and simple formulas, use simple formatting features, and save and print a spreadsheet); and databases (plan, create, and modify a database; enter records; format fields; show records; sort a database; execute queries to find specific information in a database; and create, format, and print database reports). The units include exercises, sample documents, and self-assessments. Contains 11 references. (MN)