MAKE FRIENDS WITH YOUR COMPUTER

This structured introductory course offers those who are either considering or already new to personal computing a plain English approach to the key topics and skills most necessary to the computer novice. Learn to make friends with your computer.

b) The aim of this course is:-

This 10 wk introductory course aims to help those who are either considering or who have just started out to use a personal computer but may be finding the technology and/or jargon somewhat daunting or perhaps a little confusing. This course will help you ‘make friends with your computer’ and enable you start to explore the many computing possibilities. Explanations, in plain English, and practical demonstration of the basic techniques, skills and knowledge will be included to allow the novice computer user to become more comfortable and confident in using their computer to accomplish different tasks.

b) Course Programme (this may be modified in the light of the interests of course members):-

This short course will cover the following topics:-

A very simple introduction on how the personal computer works and its key components;
Turning the computer on and off in the safe and approved manner[s];
A simple introduction to the Windows™ concept, environment and 'Desktop';
Using a mouse [recommended] and/or the built-in laptop ‘touch-pad’ to control and interface with your computer including single, double and left or right ‘clicking’ and ‘cursor’ types [Note it is strongly suggested that you use a mouse with your laptop computer - to be discussed in wk1];
Using the computer keyboard, including the ‘special’ and ‘shortcuts’ keys to control, input text or numerical data and otherwise interface with your computer;
Navigating or ‘browsing’ your computer’s ‘Folders and Files’ to both locate or save specific information/files in a logical manner and in order to be able to find your work later!;
The concept and use of the widely used and very useful Windows™ ‘Selection & Highlighting’, ‘Copy & Paste’ and ‘Drag & Drop’ techniques;
Starting, running and using common, popular computer applications/programmes and saving the user created files [text, images, data etc] that is the end result of such use;
Introduction to and use of email and the Internet and World Wide Web;
Basic personal computer management, maintenance and trouble-shooting.

c) Planned Learning Outcomes: (these may be modified in the light of course members interests)

By the end of the course you should be able to:

1. Locate and ‘open’ a specific file [music, text, image etc] using the computer’s built in navigation/browsing commands and controls;

2. Demonstrate the use of the ‘Clipboard’ by the use of ‘select’, ‘cut’, ‘copy’ and ‘paste’ techniques to copy or move information either between or within applications;

3. Create a specific ‘document’ or file using an application/programme of choice [word processor, email, spreadsheet or image manipulation etc], name and save this document/file in a specific location for later retrieval and modification;

4. Retrieve specific information from the Internet/world wide web using a popular ‘search engine’ and other techniques;

5. Compose and send [with ‘attachment’, e.g. digital photo file etc] an email to a prescribed recipient using your own email software.

d) Teaching methods:

Course members will be attending with their own computer [see Entry Requirements below] and will mostly follow tutor lead examples, which will be displayed using a digital projector, on their own machines. The tutor will give a verbal and visual description for each new topic or example using plain English and a Powerpoint slide presentation, where appropriate. There will be group practice and participation with the tutor offering some 1 to1 guidance and advice during each topic or task.

Any problems or queries will, where possible, be addressed by the tutor as and when they occur. It may be possible to include topics requested by course members, subject to levels of interest and time availability. Learner progress within each session will be supported and encouraged using examples and ‘projects’, set by the tutor, for completion by the learner at home.

The tutor will offer email support, in between sessions, for those times when further clarification or guidance is needed. Detailed session notes will be emailed to all course members, by the tutor, these will cover the topic(s) covered in each session. Online video tutorials will be provided for the major topics, the comprehensive notes and videos will allow all course members to practice in the own time in between sessions and after the course completes.

e) Entry Requirements (course level, prior experience, equipment, materials etc required):

This is an introductory course and is designed for those completely new to using a computer and assumes no, or very little prior knowledge, or experience. You will need to bring to each session a suitable laptop/notebook computer, with a Windows™© operating system installed, either XP or Vista, and a separate mouse will be useful, indeed recommended. Sorry but this course does not cover computers using the Apple™© Operating System.

If your laptop has a ‘wireless’ or ‘Wi-Fi’ [Wireless Fidelity] capability it will be possible to connect it to the Internet/www at the course venue, during the appropriate session, this is desirable but not essential. All topics addressed will be equally applicable and therefore transferrable for use on course member's home desktop computers. If you would like to attend but do not have access to a laptop/notebook computer then it may be possible for you to use [during sessions only] a supplied computer, however there is limited availability of these and anyone wishing to do so should make this need clear when enrolling for the course and they will be allocated on a 'first come first served' basis.

Should you wish to discuss the entry requirements or any any aspect of the course please email the tutor here wea_tutor@tmpullen.org.uk

f) Further study and progression:

The Tutor will discuss opportunities for further study etc during the course.

g) Additional essential costs to learners:

A usb wired or wireless mouse is recommended for use with your laptop computer and will cost approximately £15 – 20 to purchase if you do not already have such a device. It may be possible to bring and use the mouse usually used with your desktop computer. The use of the laptop's touch-pad as the only method to control the on-screen cursor is not recommended.

If your laptop/notebook does not have a wireless or Wi-Fi capability that will allow it to be connected to the course venue’s wireless Internet access then it will be possible to add this capability by the purchase of a usb wireless G adapter for about £20, alternatively you can 'buddy-up' with a course member who can access to Internet/www for the few sessions when this is necessary..

Your tutor can advise on these matters during the first session or you can contact him prior to commencing the course.

h) Some information about your tutor:

Your tutor is a retired electrical engineer who has been providing various course for the WEA at a number of venues for 4 years and has been interested in home personal computing since the advent of the early personal computers in the mid 1980s. Over this time he has owned versions of the Sinclair Spectrum, Commodore PET, Vic 20, 64, BBC etc computers. He has previously sourced components and built several own family computers in the past which he has inter-connected over a home network of wireless and cabled connections. More recently your tutor enjoys storing, editing and manipulating digital images using his Sony Vaio and Toshiba laptops. Your tutor has designed a few websites and maintains a couple including this one dedicated to his WEA courses. Although now retired your tutor was responsible for the design and implementation of corporate IT systems for a large supermarket chain for several years just prior to ceasing work.

Your tutor is very happy to discuss any aspect of this course with potential members. Please email your course query to the tutor using the link provided here. Alternatively your may contact the tutor by tel 01403 250891.

Details of suitable books, magazines etc will be provided by the tutor during the course.

j) Enrolling and Course Fee:

There are a few ways to enrol as shown below, however by far the quickest and easiest is to download the enrolment forms for the particular course, complete and return as per details on the form along with your fee. [£75]. Download the enrolment forms here for this course Bookham [Sept 2010] or Bookham [Jan 2011].

1. Contact the local WEA volunteer for course info, programme details and to request or an enrolment form. For the Bookham course contact Mrs Joy Tapping on 01306 713355.

2. Online at the WEA website click here for the course search page and enter the course ref into the 'keyword' search box and hit the 'search' button. Click on the 'more information' link at bottom right of the course detail page and follow the instructions for enrolling. You will need your credit card details.

3. By post, obtain a copy of the WEA 'Courses for Adults - Surrey' publication from your local library etc and complete the enrolment form contained therein and return to the WEA with your cheque.

4. Phone the WEA on 0800 328 1060 and quote the course ID [the relevant C372..... number] you will need your credit card details to hand.