Computer
Fundamentals (Course Fee: $20.00)
This eight-week course (one day per
week, 2 1/2 hours per day) is intended for beginners. It focuses
on the fundamental skills needed to use the computer. The course
starts with the basic terminology for the computer hardware and
Windows operating system. This is followed with emphasis on developing
skills using a mouse and keyboard. The student is introduced
to simple word processing. The student will learn techniques
for performing basic editing functions in a document, creating,
naming, saving and opening/closing files, and will be introduced
to the Fundamental procedures/skills of the Windows operating
system necessary to work comfortably on a computer. A short overview
of the Internet and e-mail is presented in the last lesson.
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Mini-Mouse Practice
(Free)
A one-time class is offered to students registered in the
Computer Fundamentals courses. This two-hour session is free
and is limited to 16 students. It is designed for beginners with
very little or no previous computer experience. Students will
get a head start on learning to use the mouse by doing simple
practice exercises. Individual help will be provided.
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Basic Word
Processing (Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITE: Prerequisites: Completion
of Beginning Computer Skills or equivalent knowledge and skills.
Ability to use a mouse comfortably is necessary, and basic typing
skills are useful.
This
new Basic Word Processing course uses the free OpenOffice.org
Writer software to review computer concepts and guide the student
through the essential skills needed to create effective documents.
You will learn to navigate documents; open and save files; and
use menus, toolbars and shortcuts. Formatting characters and
paragraphs plus editing skills, including cut, copy and paste,
are covered. Tables, page layout, headers and footers, and printing
envelopes complete the course. Examples and exercises reinforce
learning. A free OpenOffice.org software CD will be handed out
in class along with installation instructions.
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Intermediate Word Processing
(Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Computer
Fundamentals and Basic Word Processing [Word 1].
Intermediate Word Processing [Word
2] is the second segment in the word processing series, using
Microsoft Word 2002. The course includes features and functions
for enhancing your documents and productivity. Work with multiple
documents and split windows; take advantage of the AutoFormat,
AutoText and AutoCorrect features; do advanced character, paragraph,
and document formatting; use tables, formulas and mail merge;
and utilize the built-in templates and wizards.
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Spreadsheet/Database
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Computer
Fundamentals is required. Completion of Windows XP is recommended.
The Spreadsheet/Database course
is based on the spreadsheet and database segments of Works Suite
2005. Basic skills learned in the course can be adapted to other
spreadsheet and database programs. During the first five lessons,
students will learn how to create spreadsheets to keep records
of calculations in chart and/or graph formats, e.g., household
budgets, stock portfolio information/analysis, etc. Students
will learn database applications, e.g., creating address lists,
inventory lists, etc., in the remaining three lessons.
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Using Windows
XP (Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Computer
Fundamentals or equivalent knowledge and skills. Ability to use
the mouse comfortably and a basic working knowledge of computer
operations are necessary.
Using Windows XP is designed to teach
the student about the XP version of Microsoft's operating system.
The student will learn not only how to use the features of Windows
XP, but how to modify the operating system to make it easier
to do what the student wants to do with the computer. The course
explores the features of Windows XP such as the Start menu, the
Help and Support Center, System Restore and right-click operations.
Also covered in detail is Windows Explorer which is used to manage
drives, folders and files. In addition, the student will learn
to use the maintenance tools built into the operating system.
There will be one class on the use of Internet Explorer and Outlook
Express for Web browsing and sending/receiving e-mail.
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Introduction to the Internet
, (Course Fee: $15.00)
PREREQUISITE: Completion
of Computer Fundamentals and Internet & e-mail or equivalent
knowledge and skills. Access to a computer connected to an Internet
service provider is necessary.
Learn how to customize Internet Explorer 7 and use tabbed
browsing; search for pictures, news, maps, or long-lost product
manuals; save and print information; shop safely, avoiding untrustworthy
merchants; learn about viruses and malware and how to protect
your computer from them; and download free computer security
software. E-mail will also be discussed.
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Quicken (Course Fee:
$20.00)
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Computer
Fundamentals and at least one intermediate course, i.e., Windows
XP or Basic Word Processing, are required.
The Quicken course will introduce you to the most popular
home finance program of the day. We will use Quicken 2006. You
will learn how to set up and manage checking, credit card and
investment accounts. Also covered is reconciliation of checking
accounts, defining transactions and development of a budget.
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Greeting Card Magic! Part
1 (Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Computer Fundamentals and at least
one Intermediate course, i.e. Windows 98 or XP and/or Basic Word
Processing. Good mouse skills are essential!
The Greeting Card Magic! course uses Print Shop Deluxe Suite
Version 21 to create exciting projects! After an overview of
the program’s many features and a review of basic Windows
skills, you will learn to personalize greeting cards, envelopes,
labels, posters and more, using the Art Gallery image collection,
your own art work or photos or other clip art. You will complete
individual projects. Part 1 of a two-part series.
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Greeting Card Magic! Part
2 (Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Greeting Card Magic Part 1
or equivalent skills.
Greeting Card Magic Part 2 is the second part of the two-part
Greeting Card Magic! course, using The Print Shop Deluxe Suite
Version 21. After a review of Part 1, students will learn the
additional skills required to create items such as banners, calendars,
certificates, T-shirt iron-ons, and more, using The Print Shop
Deluxe Suite 21 image collection, personal artwork or photos,
or other clip art. Students will complete individual projects.
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Photoshop Elements 5.0 Photo
Editing and Organization Part 1 (Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITE: A home computer running Adobe Photoshop
Elements. Windows XP course, and Digital Photography or Digital
Camera course. Good mouse skills are essential! Students should
be prepared to invest time in homework.
This course is an introduction to the Adobe Photoshop Elements
software. You learn techniques for managing and searching your
photo files. Class exercises show you how to make photo adjustments
to color and lighting, remove redeye and crop photos using the
Photoshop Elements Quick Fix workspace. Simple photo touchups
are done using the Healing Brushes; however, the advanced brush
and layering edit functions are not covered in this course. We
also explore various methods of sharing your photo files –
printing at home, loading to a Web site, sending via e-mail or
making slide shows.
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Photoshop Elements 5.0
- Part 2 (Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITE: Windows XP and Managing Your Files or equivalent
experience. Internet and e-mail or equivalent experience. Either
the four-week Photoshop Elements (PSE) 3.0 course, PSE 4.0 Part
1, or PSE 2.0 at Almaden. A home computer with Photoshop Elements
4.0 installed is strongly recommended.
This course, developed around Adobe PSE 5.0, focuses on its
Quick Fix and Standard Edit workspaces. Experience with the Organizer
function of PSE preferred. Students will be exposed to the basic
tools and features of the software. Topics such as fixing old
photos, selection tools, layers, creating and printing panoramic
images, merging selected parts of a photo into another, and the
color wheel will be included. Students must understand how to
copy and move files from one drive to another, send e-mail and
navigate on the Internet. Students will be expected to practice
what they learn in class on their home PCs.
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Photoshop Elements 5.0, Advanced
Topics Part 3 (Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITES: 1) Photoshop Elements parts 1 & 2, or equivalent
experience using Photoshop Elements. 2) Photoshop Elements 4.0
or 5.0 installed on your home computer. Advanced mouse and file
management skills are essential.
This advanced PSE course is for those students who want to move
a step beyond the skills covered in PSE parts 1 and 2. Topics
include layers, layer masks, blending modes, adjustment layers,
gradients and more. Basic skills will be enhanced with additional
methods for color correction, lightening or darkening, correcting
lens distortion and sharpening. Special effects such as collages,
vignettes and dramatic lighting will be covered. The class includes
a lot of material and will move at a fairly quick pace, so students
need solid previous experience with PSE editing
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Photoshop Elements 6.0, Organizing,
Fixing, Sharing (Course Fee: $20.00
PREREQUISITES: A home computer running Adobe Photoshop
Elements 6. Basic computer skills with familiarity with dialog
boxes and good mouse skills are essential! Students should be
prepared to invest time in homework.
This course is an introduction to the Adobe Photoshop Elements
6.0 software. You learn techniques for managing and searching
your photo files. Class exercises show you how to make photo
adjustments to color and lighting, remove red eye and crop photos
using the Quick Fix workspace. We also explore various methods
of sharing your photo files – printing at home or local
drug store, loading to a Web site, sending via e-mail and making
fancy slide shows. While we do simple color changes, easy group
shot techniques and panorama creation, we do not explore the
advanced features found in the Elements Full Editor like the
advanced brush and layering functions.
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Introduction to Family Tree Maker
2006 (Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Computer Fundamentals and Internet
& e-mail. Good mouse skills and a working knowledge of Windows
XP are essential! A firm grasp of the Windows file system with
successful completion of Managing Your Files a must.
This 8-week course will cover the essentials for setting
up a personal genealogical database using Family Tree Maker 2006.
Topics include creating a family file (database); entering family
data; documenting your research; creating/importing GEDCOM files;
and producing reports and graphs. In addition to learning FTM,
students will spend time exploring popular genealogy Internet
sites and will learn how to locate items of interest.
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eBay: The World’s Online Marketplace
(Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITE: Completion of Computer Fundamentals and
Internet & e-mail or equivalent knowledge and experience.
People come to eBay to buy and sell thousands of items each
day. The buying and selling is done in an auction-style format
where the highest bidder wins the item being auctioned. Registration
on eBay as a buyer is free and requires a valid e-mail address.
Registration as a seller requires a credit card and a checking
account. The student will learn how to use eBay from both the
seller’s and buyer’s perspective. The student will
be given guidelines that help make eBay a safe, well-lit marketplace.
Actual buying or selling on eBay will not take place in class.
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Basic Digital Photo Editing
(Course Fee $15.00)
PREREQUISITE: Completion of a
course where you learned about Windows Explorer or equivalent
experience with Windows Explorer.
If you’re fairly comfortable taking pictures with your digital
camera but would like some help with what to do next, this four-week
course could help. You’ll be introduced to basic techniques
such as uploading photos from the camera to the computer and
organizing, editing and sharing your digital pictures. You won’t
need to purchase software; you’ll be shown how to download
a free software program (Picasa) that you can use. In the fourth
lesson, students will learn how to create a photo story complete
with background music.
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Taking Pictures (Course
Fee: $15.00)
PREREQUISITE: A pocket-sized
digital camera, memory card and camera manual are required.
If you would like to do more than take snapshots, this course,
designed for beginners, will demystify the controls and menus
on your digital camera and teach you how to take great photos.
You’ll learn basic techniques for taking indoor photos,
how to take photos of people, and how to set your camera for
landscapes or close-ups. The majority of the class time will
be spent taking pictures at and around the Almaden Community
Center. Students will be responsible for the printing cost of
their 4×6 inch photos each week.
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Computer Maintenance &
Security (Course Fee: $15.00)
PREREQUISITE: Windows XP and Downloading classes or equivalent
experience.
This four-week course will cover things you can do to keep
your computer running smoothly, such as cleaning up the clutter
and fighting malware. Setting up a firewall and protecting against
viruses, adware, and spyware will be discussed. Several free
security programs will be featured. Internet and e-mail
security and privacy tips will be included. The course will conclude
with a look at a few things that you can do to keep your computer
hardware in shape. This course deals with technical issues
such as downloading and installing software and modifying Windows
settings. Students should have a good understanding of these
topics.
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Advanced Adobe Photoshop Elements
5.0 - Part 4 (Course Fee: $20.00)
PREREQUISITE: 1) Photoshop Elements parts 1 & 2, or equivalent
experience using Photoshop Elements. 2) Photoshop Elements
Part 3 (highly recommended, but not required) 3) Photoshop Elements
4.0, 5.0 (or 6.0) installed on your home computer.
Advanced mouse and file management skills are essential.
This advanced PSE course is for those students who want to continue
to move beyond the basic skills covered in PSE parts 1 and 2
and what was covered in the part 3 advanced course.
Topics include working with layer styles, type and shape layers,
artistic special effects, portrait enhancing and retouching,
digital framing techniques, texting and much more. As was
the case in Part 3, basic skills will continue to be enhanced. The
class covers a lot of material and will move at a fairly quick
pace, so students need solid previous experience with PSE editing.
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