It's a good idea to concentrate initially on learning just the basics, then to try to learn additional features gradually. Most students will arrive on campus with some word processing skills, though they may not have used the particular programs that we use in our computer labs. A short tutorial in using one of our packages might be useful for first-semester students, but you can assume, for all of your other classes, that students know at least the basics. I like to collect students' papers on disk and to comment on them with a word processor. I know my comments will be legible.
Students learn some useful file management skills.
With a little bit of planning, you can also have a directory created for your class on the server. Your students can post their papers there and get feedback from each other without having to make copies of their papers. With the commenting feature, each writer can receive feedback from several other students without having the draft filled with illegible scribbles, and without having to juggle many copies of a draft. Contact Charlie Hill for more information. The IDEA Lab continually offers workshops related to many aspects of computing.