You may or may not know that Microsoft Office 2007 saves documents and other resulting files with all new file extensions. For example a Word document is no longer a .doc; it is now a .docx. This has much to do with how this new version is set up. Regardless of what their doing with Office it will effect you if you accept assignments electronically from your students. If you are still using Office XP (2003) you will not immediately be able to open documents or other files saved in the default format in Office 2007.
Have faith however there are alternatives. First and foremost people that are using Office 2007 still have the ability to "Save As" a previous version of Office (97 - 2003). There is also an option for those that receive an Office 2007 document that has not be properly saved. Microsoft has a conversion tool available for download. Folks using Office 2007 also have the option with another small download and that is to save as a PDF. People can also create PDF's online and have the converted document sent via email.
I am hoping that in the not too distant future to have some visual demonstrations available.
Nancy