Course Summaries as of December 2010

When deciding which course to enroll for, please keep in mind that the order below is deliberate.

If you are a beginner, please, there is no shame in starting at 1. with the beginners Computer Awareness course and progressing from there. You will get a basic grounding which helps you to follow later courses more easily. If you have prior experience, you will have to discuss your starting point with the course coordinator. There is also a good case to be made for repeating a course if you feel you need to, in order to fully grasp the teaching in it.

Once you have completed the basic core courses 1 to 5 as shown below you can then branch out into fields that interest you with a firm background knowledge.

Please click the course title you are interested in for a summary. You can also scroll down to look at all courses.

1. Computer Awareness for beginners 
2. Email
3. Word Processing Introduction
4. Files and Folders 
5. Managing your computer
6. Word Processing Level 1
7. Introduction to the Internet
8. Photo and Image editing using Photoshop Elements 2
9. Introduction to Spreadsheets
10. Power Point presentations
11. Website Development
12. Creative Arts and Crafts MS Paint
13. Bothers Keeper database for Genealogy
14. Movie Maker
15. Computer Workshop
    Courses for Mac Users
    

1. Getting Started with Mac
2. Mail for Mac
3. Address Book for Mac
4. iPhoto
   
5. iCal
6. Safari
7. Word for Mac
   

1.    Computer Awareness for beginners – 8 hours 
A course to get you started.  No pre-knowledge is presumed. You will have four weeks of  2  hourly lessons on all the basic pointers to begin using your new computer. This course caters for owners of both XP and Vista operating systems.
Topics include finding your way around your computer, basic computer management skills, simple writing and printing skills, creation of files and folders, the use of portable disks, as well as health and safety issues.

2.      Email – 8 hours
This course is designed to enable learners to manage and organise  their Email with confidence.
It will enable learners to use Email to prepare, send and receive mail, to send and receive attachments, to reply and forward, to print Emails and to save them to files, to organize mail into folders, and to set up and organise address books. Also to understand the role of an internet service provider (ISP) and to link to the internet.
This course is recommended after completion of the Computer Awareness course

 3.      Introduction to Word Processing (Using Word 2003 or Word 2007) - 8 hours
This is a short, introductory course to get you started with word processing. You will learn how to open and save files, make simple changes to your document such as fonts, text colours and sizes, save and retrieve files, printing and moving text about in various ways.

4.         Files and Folders  - 8 hours
This course will help you and store and retrieve files and folders in an orderly manner so you will know where to find them.  It includes: How to look after your files.  Saving, loading and locating files.  Organising your file system.  The Directory tree.  Searching for lost files.  Practice in creating, copying, moving and deleting files and folders, use of the right mouse button and keyboard commands.
Learners  should already have basic skills in word processing ie. Word Processing Level 1.
A vital course to halt many frustrations and help you enjoy your computer better.

5.    Managing Your Computer - 8 hours
This course will allow you to customize your computer and set it up in a way that suits you. Learn Windows Explorer management skills and how to use the control panel and its settings. Also learn how to set the screensaver and desktop, adjust the start menu, use shortcuts, to customize your toolbars and find your way around Windows Help. 
Learners  should already have basic skills in word processing ie. Word Processing Level 1.

Now delve into your favourite area of interest and learn more about it. 
Any one of the courses below is a stand-alone course BUT all presume that you have completed the five core courses above to a satisfactory level of understanding and confidence.  That way we can guarantee that you will enjoy yourself during your chosen course and come away with increased knowledge and confidence. 
Other courses of interest will be added to this group as time goes on and materials and tutors are available.


6.    Word Processing  Level 1 (Using Word 2003 or Word 2007) – 16 hours
This course is intended for learners wishing to develop basic word processing skills but who already have some basic computer knowledge. - a follow on from the Introduction to Word. It offers the basic computer skills in using MS Word including producing a letter, basic formatting and editing of documents using the various tools and menus, organising, finding and manipulating files and folders, saving to disk, printing and processing with options in formatting and style.  Scrolling, cutting, copying and pasting, moving text about, and using the Help facilities is all covered.

7      Introduction to the Internet - 8 hours
This course is designed to provide learners with a basic knowledge of the Internet  by using Internet Explorer.
Discover the mysteries of the Internet using Internet Explorer 8, understand the role of the internet service provider, the importance of security and privacy issues. Visit Websites using favourite site addresses and Search Engines.  Learn how to download programs, files and information, save and print.  Understand and check for viruses. 
A basic knowledge of word processing to Word Processing Level 1 is desirable for this course.

8.     Photo and Image Editing using Photoshop Elements 2.  -  16 hours
This course will introduce learners to digital imagery programs and some of the commonly used features to manipulate images. On successful completion of this course learners will be able to adjust, enhance and bring new features to digital or scanned images.
Basic knowledge of word processing required

9      Introduction to Spreadsheets - 8 hours
This course is designed to teach basic spreadsheets and simple databases up to the level that can be used for domestic budgeting or managing the finances of a small club. Whilst the course is based on Excel 2010, learners with their own laptops with 2007 or (Mac) 2008 or 2011 versions will be accommodated. For this reason a “workshop” approach to tutoring has been adopted, with a minimum of exact detail written down in the course notes, and the accent placed on demonstration followed by learner “hands-on” participation. (Learners must be already conversant with basic processing functions before taking the course, including Save and Save as, Print and Print Preview and Cut, Copy and Paste).

10    Power Point Presentations - 6 hours 
A basic introduction into how to produce a slide presentation called PowerPoint. This program lets you make up a set of slides containing whatever you wish, such as photographs and information. You will learn how to insert Animations, fly-ins on screen typing, word-art, and fancy backgrounds using easy to follow instructions.
Basic knowledge of Word Processing and file management required. You will also need your own copy of PowerPoint (part of the Office Suite) installed at home to make your own presentations.
                                                  
11.        Website Creation - 16 hours 
This course will enable learners to build their own website  by writing in HTML code.  This will enable an understanding of what the code does. After that, for the final page of your site, you will learn how to use a free web hosting service for loading your site onto the Internet.  Then you will be ready to add more photographs, important notes of your own family or other interests etc. You will also be shown how to use free web building programs such as Kompozer, and file transfer programs like FileZilla.
Basic knowledge of word processing and file management required


12       Brothers Keeper database for Genealogy - 12 hours
This course will introduce learners to genealogy programs as a means of recording genealogical data.
They will use the Brother's Keeper windows software program, basically a filing system to keep records of their own research into their own families. The Brothers Keeper software can be downloaded from the internet or purchased on disk. Brothers Keeper can also be used to import or export genealogical data communication (GEDCOM) files from other genealogy programs, add internal notes, or link to text files in a word processing program, and print out various types of charts and reports. 
Basic knowledge of Word Processing and disk management  required.

13    Movie Making Using Windows MovieMaker
Learn to make movies using video footage and sound tracks with Windows Movie Maker (available on any computer running the Windows XP or Vista operating systems.) This course is for those who are familiar with using their computers and have completed at least the Computer Awareness, and Files, Folders, and Manage Your Computer courses. Equipment needed – video camera with cables, DVD-R disk, flash drive.

14        Computer Workshop – 2 hours
This course will introduce learners to a particular topic and deal with it over a two hour session.
Subjects will vary but may include material relating to a new facet of  computing technology, revision of known material, or provide reinforcement of material already introduced in another course.
Examples are broadband, internet banking, text messaging, voice over internet protocol, photo story, disk management, files and folders, card making, digital movie cameras, etc etc

Courses for Mac Users

SeniorNet Motueka also caters for users of Apple Mac computers, using OS X. Students must have an Apple Mac computer, and may be asked to bring their laptops for the courses.

1   Getting Started with Mac OS 10.5 - 6 hours
A beginner’s course for those new to the Mac OS. You will learn how to find your way around the computer, set up the Dock and customize your computer using System Preferences. You will be introduced to the programs that come with a Mac, including Email, Internet, and iPhoto. A must for all Mac users. Course will be extended to 8 hours if learners are totally new to computing.
Must have a Mac computer

2  Mail (version 3)  - 8 hours
Learn how to use the email program on your Mac computer, including sending and receiving messages, adding attachments, building up your address book, saving email in customized folders, and adding a signature at the end of a message.

3   Address Book - 4 hours
This program is used for storing names, postal and email addresses, and other personal information. It is linked to other Mac programs like Mail, Safari, iCal and iChat. Learn how to make mailing labels and contact lists, and how to import and export email lists.

4    iPhoto   - 8 hours
Learn to enhance and manage your photos using iPhoto, the photo editing program that came with your Mac computer. You can sort your photos into Events, Places and Faces, with the computer recognising faces after you have labeled a few.

5.    iCal  -  4 hours
This is a calendar and appointment application that comes with your Mac. Learn how to add appointments and regular meetings, or use an alarm to remind you of them, print calendars and To Do lists.

6.    Safari    -  4 hours
Safari is the internet browser that comes with your Mac. Learn how to set it up, access websites, make bookmarks, and find information. Learn about security, cookies, buying and selling, webmail, and saving web pages.

7.    Word for Mac - 4 hours
This course follows the same format as the Word Processing course for PC users, (No. 3 above) with adaptations for Mac users. Can also be taken by users with the Mac program Pages on their computer.