Class Descriptions

LEARN TABLET BASICS

TAB

Tablets are small computers that are convenient to carry around.  Many Tablets and Smart Phones use the Android operating system developed by GOOGLE.  Android Tablets will be provided for the students to use in class.  Students are welcome to bring their own Android devices.  iPad and iPhone users are welcome to attend as many features are similar.  Class size will typically be limited to ten students.

Session One (2 hours)

TAPS & SWIPES

Students will understand the touch-screen commands to add, move, and delete Home Screen icons.  They will launch applications (apps), take and view pictures/videos with the camera app, and use the Taskbar features to switch between apps.  They even get to change the screen background image.  Students will learn to connect to the Internet using the Wi-Fi feature, activate and use the keyboard, and "surf" the Web.

Session Two (2 hours)

INTERNET CONNECTION

Students will learn the features of the browser app (setting and reviewing bookmarks).  They will examine some of the fun features of the keyboard.  Students will also learn to use a Google Play account to download an app, and learn how to uninstall unwanted apps.

Session Three (2 hours)

DATA EXCHANGE

Students will learn to move files into folders using the File Manager app.  They will exchange data between tablets using Bluetooth connectivity.  Demonstrations will also include exchanges with computers and flash drives using USB cables.

Session Four (2 hours)

SETTINGS

Students will review previous lessons and learn the many controls on the Settings menu.

Sessions will include a ten-minute break after the first hour.

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COMPUTER BASICS ONE
(CB-1)

Session One (2 hours)

KEYBOARD & MOUSE

Students will practice moving, pointing, selecting, dragging, and launching programs with the mouse and touchpad.

Students will also learn the alpha-numeric keys, Spacebar, Shift and Caps-Lock, Tab, Backspace and Delete, Navigation keys, Escape, and Function Keys.

Session Two (2 hours)

INTERNET NAVIGATION

Students will learn how to connect to the Internet, to launch an Internet browser, and to access search engines to aid in topic research.  They will create bookmarks of favorite sites and remove old bookmarks,.  They will be shown how to delete the storage of old WebPages and get suggestions on how to avoid viruses

Session Three (2 hours)

ELECTRONIC-MAIL

Students will learn to establish an e-mail account.  Special attention will be given to choosing a user name (address) and a strong password.  Students will practice creating and sending mail, attaching images, opening mail, and how to determine whether mail is spam or contains harmful content (malware).

Session Four (2 hours)

FILES, FOLDERS, & REVIEW

Students may bring their own laptop computers to ensure that they can perform the tasks they had learned.  They will also learn to save documents, create folders, and back up data to a removable storage device (flash drive or CD).

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COMPUTER BASICS TWO
(CB-2)

Session One (2 hours)

WORD PROCESSING

Students will learn to copy text and images from a web page and paste them into a WordPad document.  Students will then learn to format, edit, and enhance text.  These concepts are transferable to Microsoft Office, Works, and other professional programs.

Session Two (2 hours)

DIGITAL PHOTO PROCESSING

Students will learn to import pictures from a digital camera (provided by RLRC).  They will then adjust the image properties (color, hue, contrast, brightness, etc.) with Windows Photo Gallery.  They will then modify the image with Paint (i.e.: remove blemishes or add a moustache).

Session Three (2 hours)

FILE MANAGEMENT

Students will learn to effectively manage data on the computer by properly naming documents and folders, and creating compressed archives.  They will learn to transfer files to a flash drive and burn data CDs.  Time permitting, they will be shown how to rip music from CDs for playback on an MP3 player.

Session Four (2 hours)

GRAPHIC DESIGN & PRACTICE SESSION

In addition to reviewing the previous lessons, students will learn more about the features of Paint to create practical drawings.  Usage of rectangle, ellipse, color fill, and selection tools will be emphasized.  Overlaying artwork, using transparency mode, will also be covered.

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COMPUTER BASICS THREE
(CB-3)

Session One (2 hours)

MS OFFICE WORD

Students will learn the features of columns, headers and footers, pagination, and text boxes as they create a newsletter style document.  They will also learn the advantage of using the "Save As..." feature.

Session Two (2 hours)

MS OFFICE EXCEL

Students will create a simple checkbook ledger that will help them learn to enter data and formulas into cells, format cells, and generate graphs to represent their data.

Session Three (2 hours)

MS OFFICE POWERPOINT

Students will create a slide show using the features of PowerPoint.  Topics include background selection, text box, image insert and position, animation of inserts, sound effects, slide transition, and presentation timing.

Session Four (2 hours)

COMPUTER MANAGEMENT

Students will learn several of the Control Panel features: Mouse/touchpad settings, Internet Options, Power Options, Program Removal, User Accounts, and Desktop Themes.