COMPUTER STUDIES

BASIC COMPUTER SKILL CLASSES:

No previous knowledge or computer skills are required. Small classes and individual attention, with each student having access to a computer. With lots of practice and encouragement you will soon feel comfortable exploring the vast range of possibilities of your computer. There is always something new to learn. Topics include: "What is a Computer", "Computer Terms", " A Description of the Computer Components", "What's Inside the Box", "Setting up a Computer", "The Operating System", "The Control Panel", "Managing Disks, Folders and Files", "Menus, Bars and WordPad", "Installing and Un-installing a Program" and "Shutting Down".

MICROSOFT WORD:

Students wishing to take this class should have a basic knowledge of and practise in using a computer.
You will start by learning how to enter text and navigate the program, plus how to save and print your work.
You will learn about editing, moving, and copying blocks of text and checking spelling and grammar.
How to improve the look of your document with character formatting such as different fonts, text sizes, colours, alignment, and spacing.
Making your documents more visually appealing by breaking up the text with bullets and numbering, tabs, indents, borders, and shading.
Applying document-wide formatting changes such as margin settings, headers and footers, backgrounds and borders, and more.
Breaking content into multiple columns for greater readability, either with newspaper-style layouts or tabular grids.
Learning to apply various types of graphics that add to the interest and appeal of your document.

MICROSOFT PUBLISHER CLASS:

It is assumed that students have a basic knowledge of computer skills with a knowledge in Microsoft Office (Excel, Access or Word). This is a simple and easy program to use.

Publisher is a desktop publishing package and the lessons include:
• How to use and get the most out of your computer program.
• How to create your own calendars, cards, advertisements, notices, invitations, brochures, newsletters and labels, using graphics and digital photographs.
• Tips on how to make your own designs and layouts look professional.
• How to design your own pictures.

MICROSOFT POWERPOINT CLASS:

(Available in 2010)

After receiving an email attachment in PowerPoint have you ever wondered how they are done? What about your family snapshots? Have you considered how to produce these for a showing night at a family gathering? Did you know that PowerPoint is a quick and easy alternative to Desktop Publishing Software to design invitations, etc.?
Since using Power Point presentations in my Computer Class, there have been a few people interested in learning more about it. Therefore I am running a course on this program – probably for approximately a term.

INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET:

Finding out about Internet basics. Seniors everywhere are finding out that the Internet is an economical, efficient way to keep in touch with family and friends, as well as for research. This is a short course.

It covers the nature of the Internet. Participants will experience accessing the relevant Email programs and Browsers. Browsing will involve addressing sites, common sites, hobby and interest sites, useful Government sites and other interesting locations.

We will learn about the use of Search Engines and search methods, Internet Trading and Internet Banking.
The using of Webmail including various features. Outlook Express – the common Email program is not available on the TAFE machines and lecture material in conjunction with Webmail will provide for this as far as possible. If required, the class will visit the Library as an introduction to using machines there.

Pre-requisites: Intending participants should have a computer with Internet connection or ready access (Library access is OK). They should also be familiar with using a computer, e.g. starting, opening a program and basic inputting etc.

Instruction method: Lecture presentation, practical exercises and individual support. No Homework, but some home exercises may be required.

DIGITAL PHOTO ENHANCEMENT:

Do you have old damaged photos that are precious to you? Come and learn the techniques for repairing them using a free Graphics Editing program. Have you just started using a Digital Camera and are not happy with the results? Come and learn how they can be improved or manipulated to create interesting artistic effects.
Will be available for Terms 3 & 4.

http://www.freeserifsoftware.com/software/PhotoPlus/

MICROSOFT EXCEL

We will be covering how to construct electronic spreadsheets which are designed to manipulate numerical data. Any function that requires rows and columns of numbers, can be performed by entering data into a spreadsheet. The major advantage of an electronic spreadsheet is that changes can be made easily and numerical data can be shown in graphical form. It can be sorted into alphabetical and numerical order and be filtered into various categories. Spreadsheets can be enhanced by formatting type, fonts, colours, borders, point size etc.

NOTE: You'll need some basic computer skills to be eligible for this class.

LINKS TO INTERESTING COMPUTER WEBSITES

Welcome to the Australian Seniors Computer Clubs Association
http://www.ascca.org.au/

Look at the following websites for the most popular destinations on the web for free online courses and free tutorials in a variety of computer skills. Add to what you learn in class working at your own pace.

http://www.learnthat.com/
http://www.techtutorials.net/
http://webnests.com/freetutorials.htm
http://www.homeandlearn.co.uk/
http://www.helpwithpcs.com/courses/Course.htm

For those who are not experts in computer security.

http://www.net-security.org/
http://computer.howstuffworks.com/

A computer dictionary.

http://whatis.techtarget.com/