In general (below = means very similar).
Microsoft Word = LibreOffice Writer
Microsoft Excel = LibreOffice Calc
Microsoft Powerpoint = LibreOffice Impress
But in LibreOffice free of charge package there are also tree additional tools:
- LibreOffice Math: formula editor, very useful for many students to write beautiful formula
- LibreOffice Draw: for drawing (like diagrams etc) may be useful for some students
- LibreOffice Base: for storing larger number of data in relational database (maybe little bit more advance tool).
Microsoft Office vs. LibreOffice feature comparations:
https://wiki.documentfoundation.org/Feature_Comparison:_LibreOffice_-_Microsoft_Office
Fast feature presentation:
https://www.libreoffice.org/features/
Getting started help:
http://wiki.documentfoundation.org/images/1/13/GS40-GettingStartedLO.pdf
Download LibreOffice:
https://www.libreoffice.org/download/
I suggest to download and install LibreOffice and take a look at the program. The only "big" difference is that Microsoft Office saves documents in Microsoft Office format, but LibreOffice saves the files in OpenDocument format (ISO standard format that can be opened by many programs). If documents will be shared with Microsoft Office users then I suggest to set default file save format in LibreOffice to Microsoft Office:
Tools | Options | Load/Save | General | for each of Document Type drop-down box set the setting in Always save as Microsoft xxx format.
But you need to know that Microsoft Office and LibreOffice are not 100% exact copy. So just like if you have a car from one manufacturer and you would like to buy a new car from another manufacturer you need to learn some differences. But you always have http://ask.libreoffice.org to ask a question if you get stuck, and this help is for free... :)
