Course Descriptions
The course descriptions for all of our courses are listed below. Not every course is offered each session. If the current schedule does not include the course that you want to take, please send us an e-mail at aikenseniornet.com to inquire about future course schedules.
Beginning Computer
This 4-week, eight-hour course is recommended for students with no prior computer experience. This course teaches some of the basic fundamentals of computers, operating systems, and software with major emphasis on developing the necessary skills in controlling computers using the mouse and keyboard. The course is taught using the Windows Vista operating system. Prerequisite: None (the mousing skills workshop is recommended, but not required).
Computer Basics
This is an introductory 8-week, sixteen-hour course using Microsoft Works 9 software. Works 9 is an inexpensive application that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database, calendar, and address book. This course introduces the student to the basics of using a computer to compose and edit documents such as notes, letters, and memos. Additionally, students learn the elements of creating and using a spreadsheet, and of setting up and using a database. The non-mathematical applications of the spreadsheet are emphasized as these tools are then used to develop an electronic Address Book. The important task of saving and managing the documents and files on the computer or flash drive is also covered. Each lesson has practice exercises, and offers the opportunity to do original work. Students must have the ability to proficiently use the mouse, cut-and-paste, drag-and-drop, and open programs and applications in order to be successful in this course. Students that take the Computer Basics course will have a sound understanding of their computer, the operation of spreadsheets and databases and the ability to use a word processing program. Prerequisite: Beginning Computer or equivalent computer skills.
Using Your Computer/Applications
This is an introductory 4-week, eight-hour course using Microsoft Works 9 software. Works 9 is an inexpensive application that includes a word processor, spreadsheet, database, calendar, and address book. The elements of creating and using a spreadsheet, of setting up and using a database, and of using these tools to develop an electronic Address Book that can easily get you organized are the three important areas covered. Practice exercises provide ample examples for getting started with these tasks. Prerequisite: Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing or equivalent computer skills. (Note: This course is the second in a two course sequence. The Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing course (the first of the two courses and prerequisite for this course) is no longer offered. The Fall 2010 session is the last time this course will be offered, primarily to accomodate students who took Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing during the Spring or Summer 2010 sessions. Both of these courses have been replaced by the Computer Basics course)
Introduction to Computers (Windows XP)
This is an introductory course for students using the older XP operating system. It is an eight-week, sixteen-hour course based on Microsoft Works 2003 Suite. This course introduces the student to the basics of using a PC computer and Windows XP. Each student has the use of a computer and becomes acquainted with Microsoft Works 2003. This software includes word processing (Word), spreadsheets (Works), and database (Works). The Internet is introduced using Internet Explorer. Students must have the ability to proficiently use the mouse, cut-and-paste, drag-and-drop, and open programs and applications in order to be successful in this course. Prerequisite: Beginning Computer or equivalent computer skills.
Exploring Windows Vista
An eight-week, sixteen-hour course teaching the details of the Windows Vista operating system. By knowing the details, you can get the best use and most enjoyment from your computer. A few of the skills taught include: using different settings, finding and launching a program from your desktop, operating more than one program at a time, cleaning old files to make your hard drive more efficient, and installing and uninstalling programs. Prerequisite: Computer Basics and general computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Exploring Windows XP
If you still use a computer with the XP operating system, you should look at this course. It is an eight-week, sixteen-hour course, in which you will learn the basics of the Windows XP operating system. By knowing the basics, you can get the best use and most enjoyment from your computer. A few of the basic skills taught include using different settings, finding & launching a program from your desktop, operating more than one program at a time, cleaning old files to make your hard drive more efficient, and installing & uninstalling programs. Prerequisite: Introduction to Computers with Windows XP or equivalent basic computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Digital Photo Editing
This 8-week, sixteen-hour advanced course, based on Adobe Photoshop Elements (Version 8) is for those interested in using computers to improve and modify photographs. In addition to exploring this software and its capabilities, the course also deals with getting images into the computer, organization, storage and retrieval, and printing options. Owners of digital cameras and conventional photographers can both benefit from this course. Prerequisite: Computer Basics and general computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Introduction to Excel (click course title for more information)
An eight-week, sixteen-hour advanced course course using Microsoft Excel 2007. In this course you will learn the basics of spreadsheet development. The class will use hands-on instruction to teach you how to enter, sort, and organize your data, automate calculations, format reports for printing, create graphs of your data, and query your data for summaries and information. The examples used in the class will include tracking your home expenses, managing your investments, and making a address book. Prerequisite: Computer Basics, general computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills, and an understanding of basic arithmetic concepts.
Exploring Google
In this 8-week, sixteen-hour course, you will learn that Google is much more than just a search engine. You will examine parts of Google that often are ignored. You'll look at Google Maps, Google Images, Picasa, Google's Calculator and its links to YouTube, Google Earth, iGoogle, news and groups. The course will investigate Google Mail, Google Books and look at Google's lookup functions such as addresses, businesses, reverse telephone functions, stock market reports, and a host of other things. If you use e-mail or the Internet, you need to know about everything Google offers. Prerequisite: Computer Basics and general computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Word Processing with Word 2007
In this 8-week, sixteen-hour advanced course based on Microsoft Word 2007, you will learn the features of the Microsoft word processor, including creating, formatting, editing, saving, and printing a document. You will have hands-on experience cutting, pasting, copying, and checking spelling and grammar. You will also learn how to change font types and size and how to format paragraphs, change alignment, adjust line spacing, and use borders. You will also learn additional features of the word processor, including setting tabs, using tables, numbering pages, laying out pages, and using the thesaurus. You will learn how to use insert clip art and pictures into your documents, and use mail merge to create mailing labels and form letters. Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent computer skills.
Word Processing with Word 2003
This is a four-week, eight-hour course. It covers the basics of word processing using the older Word 2003 software program. Features covered will be creating and formatting text, as well as editing, saving, and printing documents. You will have hands-on experience cutting, pasting, copying, and checking spelling and grammar. You will also learn how to change font types and size and how to format paragraphs. Prerequisite: Computer Basics or equivalent computer skills.
Pictures using Picasa
This is a 4-week, eight-hour course using Google's free Picasa photo management and editing program. You will learn how to load the photos from your camera to the computer and how to organize the photos on your computer. You will also learn how to edit your photos, including fixing lighting and contrast, resizing, cropping and improving the general appearance of your pictures. In addition, you will learn how to share your photos through e-mail and Picasa Web Albums. This course is of interest to amateur digital photographers who want a simple way to improve and share their photos. Prerequisite: Computer Basics and general computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
E-mail and the Internet
This is an 8-week, sixteen-hour course covering an in-depth look at e-mail, including sending and receiving photos and files. Windows Mail is emphasized, but Google's Gmail and Microsoft's Hotmail are introduced. Internet and e-mail security, with strategies to protect yourself from online identity theft, viruses, worms, SPAM and other harmful malware will also be covered. Online shopping and exposure to Internet tools such as Google, Firefox, Ask, and Opera are also covered. Students will learn how to surf the 'net, use bookmarks, 'favorites,' Craig's List, Facebook, and other contemporary Internet tools. Prerequisite: Computer Basics and general computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Genealogy with Legacy
Climb your family tree - electronically! We’ll show you how to use the Legacy® software program, an easy-to-use tool for organizing facts about family history. You’ll create your own family file, organize your data, create scrapbooks of photographs and memorabilia, create and print various types of pedigree and descendent charts, print a family history book and share data with others…all with your personal computer! During the course, we’ll show you where to look for genealogical resources and how to use the Internet as a resource tool. Come join us! It’s fun! Prerequisite: Computer Basics and general computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Web Page Design - Basics
This four week, eight hour course will introduce you to the basics of building a web page. You will learn how a web page is constructed using Hyper Text Markup Language (HTML), which provides directions to a web browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Internet Explorer, for displaying the text and graphics of the web page. You will study various HTML tags, which are the "commands" to the web browser of how to position and display the page, and then build a simple web page that can be published on the Internet if desired. Note that this course focuses on the underlying language of a web page rather than using a graphical editor such as FrontPage or Dreamweaver to build web pages. This course is a required prerequisite for the advanced eight week class that will be offered in the Winter session and will build on what you learn in this class. Prerequisites: should be mouse and keyboard proficient, know how to use a web browser and text editor, and have a flashdrive which you should bring to class.
Web Page Design and Construction - Advanced
This eight-week, sixteen-hour, advanced course builds on the knowledge gained in the four week course. Students will learn more about the techniques used to create a web page and how to integrate text, pictures, and graphics on the page. Using this knowledge, students will create a web site that can be published on the Internet, if desired. This is an advanced course. Students should have a thorough understanding of managing files over a network and the basics of how the Internet works, be proficient in the use of the keyboard and mouse, and be experienced with an Internet browser such as Internet Explorer or Firefox. It is recommended that you take the course E-mail and the Internet before this course. Prerequisites: 3-6 months of web page design experience and/or have attended the four week SeniorNet Web Page Design - Basics class.
