Brinkley Information Services
Introduction to ComputersIntroduction This course is aimed at total beginners who have never or rarely used a computer before. The course will bring you from the basics of switching on the computer, and using the mouse, right through to being competent using various software packages to write letters or invoices, keep your accounts, keep track of your clients or contacts and organise your files. This is an eight session course, each session lasting two hours. It can be run as an intensive course over four days, or on a twice a week basis. This course is currently being offered by Brinkley Information Services through Obair, Newmarket-on-Fergus (061-368030). The programme below describes what will be covered at each session. Programme 1. Introduction to the Computer During this first session you will learn how the computer works, so that you have a better understanding of what’s going on when you are using the computer. You will learn the proper names for the various bits of the computer, so that you can understand the jargon in an advertisement selling computers, for example. You will practice switching on and off the computer safely, using the mouse for various purposes, opening up and closing a software package. 2. Organising your Files In this session you will learn about storing files on the computer. You will learn about directories and files and how to create directories and use them to store related files together. You will practice using Windows Explorer to view the files stored on the computer, to rename files, delete files or move them from one directory to another. By the end of this session you will also be able to save your work from any software package, give sensible names to your files and store them in the correct directories. 3. Creating your own Documents This session will introduce you to Microsoft Word. You will learn how to create a new document to type a letter, report, invoice, etc. You will practice typing a sample document and applying some formatting to your text. For example, you will learn how to make some text appear in bold or italics. You will be able to include bullet points in your document or to indent some parts of the text. Various features of Microsoft Word will be explained, for example how to check your spelling or undo whatever you did last. You will see again how to save your document. Finally you will learn how to print the completed document. 4. Laying out your Document This session will teach you how to lay out your document in a professional manner. You will learn how to set up the page to give it the look you want. You will be able to set the size of the margins and specify the paper size. You will learn how to include a table or a picture in your document. You will also learn how to move text around, and select a piece of text to apply some formatting. You will be able to centre a selected piece of text or change its size or font. This will help you to create interesting looking documents, which may be particularly useful for creating posters or brochures. 5. Using Templates Templates are used when many of the documents you produce will share similar features. For example, every time you create an invoice, you will need the same layout, your company name, etc. The only details that are different in the invoice each time are the client’s name, the date and the amount being invoiced. You can save a lot of time by creating a template for an invoice that automatically includes the details that are always the same each time you wish to type an invoice. You will learn how to create templates for the documents you create most often. You will also learn how to use the templates that are already available in Word, for example for letters, CVs, memos etc. 6. Introduction to Spreadsheets Spreadsheets are an ideal way to keep any sort of data together in an organised way. They are especially suited to numeric data, and so provide an easy way to keep track of your accounts. You can also use spreadsheets to store customer information, for example name, address, telephone number, account number, etc. This session will introduce you to Microsoft Excel and how to use this software to create simple spreadsheets. The basic functions of Excel will be explained and you will practice inserting data into a spreadsheet. You will learn how to format the information you enter and how to use some of the functions provided with Excel. 7. Using Spreadsheets Having learnt the basics of MS Excel in the previous session, you will learn how to use Excel to keep your accounts. You will learn how to lay out your spreadsheets sensibly and how to set up Excel to carry out calculations automatically. You will go through the full procedure of setting up your accounts using Excel. 8. Overview and Review This last session will be used to revise what was learnt throughout the course. In particular the areas of file storage and information management will be reviewed in the light of your work in later weeks. You will be encouraged to ask questions throughout the course, but this last session will also include a question and answer session where you can ask any questions you may have about what was taught on the course or about information technology in general. There will be an opportunity here to revisit anything you still feel uncertain about, or any areas where you would like to know a bit more. For further information, please contact Monica Crump:
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