IT courses available in libraries

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A brief outline of IT training courses available in Kingston Borough Libraries

For dates of forthcoming courses see our online calendar link below.

Taster Courses. These are stand alone one off.

Introduction to Computers

This session is suitable for people who have no knowledge of how to use a computer.
It covers using a mouse and keyboard, Windows and how to open and close programs.

Introduction to the Internet

This session is suitable for people who have either attended an Introduction to Computers course, or those who can already use a keyboard and mouse.
It covers  what is available via the Internet and the basic features of Internet Explorer.  You will learn how to open a website if you know the address, and how to use a search engine to search for information when you do not know where to start.

Introduction to Word

This session is suitable for people who have either attended an Introduction to Computers course, or those who can already use a keyboard and mouse.It covers the basics of opening Microsoft Word, creating and saving a document. Students will also learn how to change the appearance of text  using the features on the formatting toolbar.

Beginners Courses. These run over a number of weeks.

It’s Never Too Late to Learn

This 4 week course is suitable for complete beginners and will be taught either on desktop or laptop computers. It covers the basics of using a mouse and keyboard, basic word processing, such as creating a document, printing, saving and editing, and basic Internet, such as visiting named websites and using a search engine.

Beginners Internet.

This is a three week courses taking you through using the Internet, as well as the basics it covers elements of Online shopping, accessing public services and using the Search Engine Google. This course has the same prerequisite as Introduction to Internet, it is slower paced and is for those who would like to know a little more about using the Internet.

Use your laptop

This session is suitable for people who have bought a laptop, but are unsure how to use it or find their way around. It covers using the control panel to change settings to suit the individual, how to add/remove programs, how to find out what programs are on your computer, how to adapt the mouse/touchpad settings (eg making it less sensitive, changing the pointer size etc), connecting to a wireless network and other things individual students wish to know. Students need to bring along their own laptop for these sessions.

Beginners Word

This is a three week course covering many of the basics of Microsoft Word. Prerequisite as for Introduction to Word.

Beginning Excel

This two week course is suitable for people who can already use a mouse and keyboard. Week 1 covers how spreadsheets are organised and how to enter text and numbers and work with simple calculations. Week 2 covers formulas, setting up the worksheets for printing and also how to produce and work with charts.

Follow on Courses. For people with a little knowledge or who have attended a taster, these are also one off.

Introduction to Shopping on line

This session is suitable for people who have either attended an Introduction to Computers course, or those who can already use a keyboard and mouse. Preferably you should already be familiar with getting around on the Internet. It is aimed at people who are not sure and want advice about the safety of online purchasing.
The training covers how online shopping works, how you can take steps to ensure your transactions are safe, and looks at some examples of shopping on line plus some suggestions to get you started (but you won’t actually be buying anything during the session.)

Introduction to Ebay

This session is suitable for people wishing to find out how to buy and sell online. It covers how to register, seller ratings, making a bid etc. Students should have basic computer skills and know how to use the Internet.

Manage your Files and Folders

This course is suitable for people with some knowledge of using the computer and saving files. It concentrates on getting the student used to using Windows Explorer to create folders, move files, copy files, delete & rename files and folders and also looks at file extensions and the different views (such as details, thumbnails etc).

Further Word

This session is suitable for people who have either attended an Introduction to Computers course, or those who can already use a keyboard and mouse. Also a little knowledge of Word is assumed. It covers some ways to improve the appearance and layout of text, using columns and tables, and also how to incorporate clipart, shapes and drawings, or your own photographs.

Textboxes and Word art

This course explores using texboxes, clipart and Word art in Microsoft Word

Using tables in Microsoft Word

this course is based around getting the most from tables in Microsoft Word and will give a good grounding for Mailmerge.

Mailmerge

This session is suitable for people who are already using Word who want to learn how create mailing lists and labels. Experience of Excel or Access is an advantage and students should have knowledge of using tables.

Creating a simple database using Access

This would be a suitable training session for somebody who would like to learn the basics of creating a database. A knowledge of using tables in Word or Excel would be an advantage.

Introduction to Excel

This session is suitable for people who have either attended an Introduction to Computers course, or those who can already use a keyboard and mouse. It covers how spreadsheets are organised and how to enter text and numbers and work with simple calculations. Students will create and edit simple spreadsheet examples.

Further Excel

This would be a suitable training session for somebody who has used Excel a little and wants to know more. It will go into more detail on useful formulas, setting up worksheets for printing, and also how to create and work with charts.

Creating a simple presentation using Powerpoint

This would be a suitable training session for somebody who would like to learn the basics of creating a Powerpoint presentation. A knowledge of Word or other Microsoft packages would be an advantage.

Create a photo album using PowerPoint

This session is suitable for people who have basic computer skills (i.e. able to use the mouse & keyboard). They can be complete beginners to using PowerPoint. Students would need to bring along their digital camera with photos on, and the lead to connect it to the computer (very important!). It covers how to create a simple PowerPoint presentation using photos and different layouts. More advanced students can learn how to set up the show to run automatically and add slide transitions.

Introduction to Photoshop Elements

This session is suitable for people who have either attended an Introduction to Computers course, or those who can already use a keyboard and mouse.  It is aimed at those who have a digital camera but are not sure what to do with their digital pictures. It covers how to organise your pictures, using tags and collections, and some simple ways to improve them by cropping or editing them.