Course Descriptions
Computer Fundamentals
A four-week, eight-hour course 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.
Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing
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. This course introduces the student to the basics of using a computer to compose and edit documents such as notes, letters, and memos. The important task of saving and managing the documents as files on the computer or flash drive is also covered. Each lesson has practice exercises, as well as opportunity to do original work. Prerequisite: Computer Fundamentals 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.
Introduction to Computers (Windows XP)
This is an eight- week, sixteen-hour course using Microsoft Works 2003 Suite running under Windows XP for those who are using this operating system. This course introduces the student to the basics of using a PC computer and Windows XP. Each student will have use of a computer and become acquainted with Microsoft Works 2003. This software includes word processing (Word 2002), spreadsheets (Works), and database (Works). The Internet, Internet Explorer, and SeniorNet are demonstrated. Prerequisite: "Computer Fundamentals" or equivalent basic computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Exploring Windows Vista
An eight-week, sixteen-hour course teaching the basics of the Windows Vista 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 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: Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing and basic computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills. It is recommended that you also complete the Using Your Computer/Applications course.
Exploring Windows XP
An eight-week, sixteen-hour course teaching 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 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: Introduction to Computers with Windows XP or equivalent basic computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Genealogy with Family Tree Maker
Climb your family tree - electronically! We’ll show you how to use the Family Tree Maker® 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: Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing and basic computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Digital Photo Editing
This eight-week sixteen-hour course using Adobe Photo Elements 7 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 enjoy the benefits of this course. Prerequisite: Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing and basic computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Word Processing I
In this 4-week, eight-hour course based on Microsoft Word 2007, you will learn the features of the 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. Prerequisite: Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing and basic computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills.
Word Processing II
In this 4-week, eight-hour course based on Microsoft Word 2007, you will 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: Word Processing I.
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. This course is of interest to amateur digital photographers who want a simple way to improve their photos. Prerequisite: Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing and basic 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. Ordering online and exposure to Internet tools such as Google, Firefox, Ask, and Opera will also be covered. Students will learn how to surf the ‘net and use bookmarks, ‘favorites,’ Craig’s List, Facebook, Twitter, and other contemporary Internet tools. Prerequisite: Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing and basic computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills. It is recommended that you also complete the Using Your Computer/Applications course.
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.
The following courses are not being taught this session. If you are interested in one of them, please contact the McGrath SeniorNet Learning Center to determine when they will be offered again.
Introduction to Excel (click course title for more information)
Will be taught in Spring session starting April 2010. An eight-week, sixteen-hour course in the basics of building spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel 2007 to manage calculations and data. 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 hands-on instruction will include tracking your home expenses, managing your investments, and making a address book. Prerequisites: Using Your Computer/Applications, basic arithmetic skills, copying files on the computer, and keyboarding & mouse skills.
Exploring Google
Will be taught in Spring session starting April 2010. An eight-week, sixteen-hour course in which you will learn that Google is much more than just a search engine for surfing the web. In this course you will examine the 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 take a look at Google’s lookup functions such as addresses, businesses, reverse telephone functions, stock market reports and a host of other things that Google provides but doesn’t brag about. If you use e-mail or the Internet, you need to know about Google. Prerequisite: Using Your Computer/Basic Word Processing and basic computer knowledge with keyboarding & mouse skills. It is recommended that you also complete the Using Your Computer/Applications course.
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.
Computer Security
Windows Security is a four-week course covering ways to protect your computer from viruses, hackers, Spyware, Adware and other malicious events. The classes are aimed at providing the information necessary to protect your computer before these threats can infiltrate your computer. Preventative measures and recovery methods will be discussed. This class is for the advanced student.
