Description of Courses and Classes

Beginning Computer Skills (Course Fee: $20.00) Beginning Computer Skills is intended for those who have not used a computer before or who are not comfortable that their basic skills are up to par. This course introduces beginners to hardware terminology and software basics. Students learn how to use the mouse and keyboard. Basic use of the Windows operating system is covered. Beginning word processing skills are taught, so that students learn to open, create, name, save and close files. File and folder concepts are introduced. An overview of the Internet and e-mail is presented in the eighth lesson. In-class activities reinforce learning in a way that is fun and productive. Individual help will be provided.

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Beginning Computer Skills Windows 7 (Course Fee: $20.00) Beginning Computer Skills is intended for those who have not used a computer before or who are not comfortable that their basic skills are up to par. This course introduces beginners to hardware terminology and software basics. Students learn how to use the mouse and keyboard. Basic use of the Windows operating system is covered. Beginning word processing skills are taught, so that students learn to open, create, name, save and close files. File and folder concepts are introduced. An overview of the Internet and e-mail is presented in the eighth lesson. In-class activities reinforce learning in a way that is fun and productive. Individual help will be provided. The Windows 7 course covers some of the new features.

Mini-Mouse Practice (Free) A one-time class is offered to students registered in the Beginning Computer Skills 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.

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.

Intermediate Word Processing (Course Fee: $20.00) PREREQUISITE: Basic Word Processing or equivalent knowledge of OpenOffice.org Writer. Good mouse and typing skills are necessary. Intermediate Word Processing is the second course in the word processing series using OpenOffice.org Writer. The course includes features for enhancing your documents and improving your efficiency. You will learn new techniques for formatting text, inserting graphics and using columns, frames and other tools for creating effective documents. Lessons on using tables, formulas, templates and wizards complete the course.

Using Windows Explorer (Course Fee: $10:00) PREREQUISITE: Completion of Beginning Computer Skills or equivalent knowledge and skills. Windows Explorer is the part of the Windows operating system that shows you the contents of your computer. In this two-week course, you will learn how to use the Windows Explorer to organize your files and folders, rename them, delete them and copy them to different locations. You will gain a better understanding of where your files are located and how to locate and manage them. Using flash drives will also be covered.

Introduction to Digital Music (Course Fee: $15.00) PREREQUISITE: Completion of a course where you learned about Windows Explorer or equivalent experience with Windows Explorer, and a liking for music. Learn about iTunes (Apple's program for managing your music files). Learn about portable music players like the various Apple iPods (Shuffle, Nano, Classic, Touch). Learn to add music to your computer by ripping (transferring) songs from your music CDs. Burn a music CD of your favorite songs. Learn how to copy music files from your computer to your iPod using the iTunes program. Other topics covered: the iTunes store for buying and downloading music; the Amazon online music store; podcasts; Internet radio; and Pandora, the build-it-yourself Internet radio station.

Basic Tips and Techniques (Course Fee: $15.00) PREREQUISITE: Computer Fundamentals or equivalent experience. Review the basics and practice skills that will increase your proficiency with the computer and your enjoyment of it. Many hands-on activities will improve your ability to use the mouse effectively. You’ll get lots of practice opening, closing and saving files, and will learn more about using the Windows Explorer. Selecting text and the cut, copy and paste functions are also covered in detail.

Using Your Digital Camera with Windows XP (Course Fee: $20.00) PREREQUISITE: Completion of a course where you learned about Windows Explorer or equivalent experience with Windows Explorer. This course teaches how to use Windows XP to manage the photos you take with your digital camera. The topics covered include: how a digital camera works; digital camera characteristics; how to use a digital camera (we will take pictures outside); how to transfer photos from your camera to a computer; simple computer photo editing using Picasa (cropping, resizing, removing red eye); printing photos; and e-mailing photos. Students will also learn how to create a photo story complete with background music.

Digital Video Editing (Course Fee: $20.00) PREREQUISITE: Windows XP or equivalent experience. Familiarity with Windows basics essential. Completion of the Digital Camera class is a plus. This course teaches how to combine photos and music to create video slideshows with titles and transitions. Also, the student will learn how to make edits and voiceovers on a video clip. Topics covered include: importing movie, picture and sound files into Windows Movie Maker; creating titles and transitions; video editing; and preparing the finalized movie for the creation of a DVD. Note: This course will not cover video capture from a camcorder nor the creation of an actual DVD.

Using Craigslist for Buying and Selling (Course Fee: $15.00) PREREQUISITE: Completion of Internet & e-mail course or equivalent experience. Must be able to navigate the Web without assistance. Want to sell your car, a sofa, or an old computer? Want to sell only to local buyers and avoid the hassles of shipping? Then craigslist is the answer. Craigslist is a free web-based service where people sell products and services in their local community and where the buyer and seller meet face-to-face to complete a transaction. This course will teach you how to use craigslist, making your selling and buying profitable and safe.

Getting Started with Personal Ancestral File (PAF) (Course Fee: $15.00) PREREQUISITE: A solid working knowledge of Windows XP/Vista and Web/e-mail familiarization. This course will cover how to download and install a free copy of PAF on your computer. We will then explore PAF by establishing a new database and entering your family history into PAF. We will also explore how to create Pedigree, Ancestral and Family Group reports. This class is designed for the beginning genealogist who wants to computerize their genealogy records.

Slide Shows Using OpenOffice.org Impress (Course Fee: $15.00) PREREQUISITE: Experience using a word processor such as OpenOffice.org Writer or Microsoft Word, and the ability to use the mouse, menus and tools with ease. You will need a flash drive. Create slide shows that sizzle using the power of the Impress presentation software. Impress is part of the free OpenOffice.org suite of programs and is similar to Microsoft PowerPoint. You can add graphics, sound, animation and other special effects to your custom layout to design a professional-looking presentation that will surprise the viewers and, dare we say it, Impress!

E-mail from A to Z using Vista's Windows Mail PREREQUISITE: Completion of Beginning Computer Skills and Beginning Word Processing or equivalent knowledge and skills. Access to a computer with Microsoft Vista and a connection to the Internet are necessary. This four-week course explores the many features of Microsoft's Windows Mail, the e-mail program that comes with Windows Vista. Students will learn the basics of sending and replying to e-mail, sending and receiving attachments, using the address book and folders. Students will also learn advanced features on how to personalize e-mail and how to create a customized signature for e-mails. Please note that this course does not cover AOL e-mail.

Google Earth (Course Fee: $10.00) PREREQUISITE: Completion of Beginning Computer Skills course or equivalent knowledge and skills. Access to a computer with an Internet connection and the ability to use the Internet with confidence. With Google Earth, your computer becomes a window to anywhere on the planet and above, allowing you to view high-resolution aerial and satellite imagery, elevation terrain, road and street labels, business listings, and more. And the trip is free with Google Earth software.

The Best Free Software for Windows (Course Fee: $15:00) PREREQUISITE: Experience downloading and installing programs. This survey course introduces students to some of the best free software for Windows. A long list of programs and websites selected by PC Magazine will be discussed. Students will have an opportunity to test a few programs in class, and the instructor will demonstrate a few more. Students will receive a copy of the list from which they can select the programs that they want to install at home. There will not be time for detailed operational instruction, so students should have prior experience with downloading and installing programs from the Internet.

SeniorNet Sampler Course Fee: $20.00 PREREQUISITE: Completion of Beginning Computer Skills or equivalent knowledge and skills. Discover the possibilities! This sampler course offers a “taste” of some of the courses offered and software used at SeniorNet of Almaden. Each week a different instructor presents a different topic. The mix varies each session and may include such hands-on activities as creating a flyer, photo editing, scanning, Internet skills and word processing. In some lessons, you will complete a project. A binder will be handed out at the first class so you can keep the information for each lesson organized.

Create Collages Using Picasa (Course Fee: $15.00) PREREQUISITE: A basic working knowledge of Picasa, digital cameras, and computers is required. This four-week course shows you how to use your digital camera and the Picasa software to create outstanding photo collages that make personalized digital greeting cards, exceptional calendars and impressive presentations. You will learn how to apply artistic principles to improve the composition of your collages. Unique tips on using Picasa are included.

Digital Scrapbooking (Course Fee $20.00) PREREQUISITE: Adobe Photoshop Elements 6, 7 or 8 installed on your computer and an Internet connection; completion of Photoshop Elements (PSE) Organizer/EX Fix course. Familiarity with dialog boxes and good mouse skills are essential. Learn how to design digital scrapbook pages and/or greeting cards with Adobe Photoshop Elements using pictures of your family, grandchildren, pets, latest vacation, a wedding or a recent class reunion. You will learn to work with layers, type and shape tools, filters, and gradients tools. Students are encouraged to practice and do homework.

Photoshop Elements 8.0 Part 2 (Course Fee $20.00) PREREQUISITE: A Windows course and Managing Your Files or equivalent experience, and the Photoshop Elements course that covered Organizing, Enhancing & Sharing Photos. A home computer with Photoshop Elements 8.0 installed is recommended, but you must have, at least, Photoshop Elements 6.0 or a later version installed. Students must have a solid knowledge of what was taught in the PSE Organizer/EZ Edit course, as this course covers a lot of material and moves at a brisk pace. Focusing mainly on the Full Edit workspace, this course picks up where the Organizer, Quick Fix and Guided Edit features in the previous session left off. Topics cover keyboard shortcuts, selection tools, exposure and lighting corrections, color adjustment, sharpening, cloning, fixing old photos, moving selected parts of one photo into another, adding text to photos, an introduction to layers, and more. Homework assignments are frequently given and students are expected to practice at home. An advanced Part 3 course is planned for a future session.

Holiday Magic! (Course Fee $15.00) PREREQUISITE: Completion of Greeting Card Magic! Part 1; or previous experience using The PrintShop software for creative projects. Excellent mouse skills are essential. This four-week Holiday Magic! course uses The Print Shop Deluxe Version 23 software to create exciting seasonal projects! Personalize greeting cards, holiday newsletters, posters and calendars. Create unique holiday dinner or event invitations, menus, place cards and special table accessories such as small candy and nut boxes, candle holders, and bottle labels. We will use the Print Shop Art Gallery image collection, your own art work, photos and other clip art. Individual projects will be completed in time for the holidays.

Holiday Party Planner Course Fee: $15.00 PREREQUISITE: Experience with The Print Shop. If you’re planning a holiday party, this is the course for you. You’ll learn to make invitations, name cards, menus, Thank You notes and labels, and get other exciting ideas for the holiday season. The first lesson will focus on Thanksgiving and the remaining lessons on Christmas. A beginning understanding of The Print Shop 23 is helpful, but novices will be able to create most of the projects with patience and practice. All projects are generic and can be applied to birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, and other celebrations.

Using the Picasa Organizer & Editor Course Fee: $15.00 PREREQUISITE: Completion of a course where you learned about Windows Explorer or equivalent experience with Windows Explorer. This course teaches you how to use the free Picasa program to manage and edit the photos you take with your digital camera. Basic photo editing includes rotating, straightening, cropping, resizing, adjusting contrast and color, removing red eye and retouching photos. You will learn how to add text to photos and build a collage of several photos on one page, resize photos and send them as attachments to e-mail.

Searching and Shopping on the Web Course Fee: $20.00 PREREQUISITE: Completion of Internet & email course or equivalent experience. Students must be able to navigate the web without assistance. It’s out there, and you can find it! This 6-week combination course shows you how to search for and find any information on any topic and how to shop safely on the Web! Knowing how to search and find what you want efficiently and quickly is the key to a successful Web experience. In the first four weeks of this practical, hands-on course, you’ll learn how to use search engines to find anything you’re looking for on the WWW. The last two weeks of the course will show you how to “Web shop” safely, securely, and confidently; find products and vendors online (including your favorite “brick and mortar” stores); evaluate sellers for reliability and good customer service; recognize a secure Web site; use a credit card online; and more! Come see what’s out there!

Internet & e-mail (Course Fee: $20.00) PREREQUISITE: Completion of Computer Fundamentals or equivalent experience. Completion of Windows 98 or XP and/or Word Processing strongly recommended. A computer with Internet access is necessary. Internet & e-mail begins by teaching you how to access the Internet using the main features of Microsoft’s Internet Explorer. You will use several types of search engines to learn how to find Web sites of interest, save frequently accessed Web site addresses, and save and print Web pages. One to two classes will be devoted to sending and receiving e-mail, including how to read and attach files. Other topics covered include downloading; online shopping; and security, privacy and protection.

Using Windows 7 Course Fee: $20.00 PREREQUISITE: Completion of Beginning Computer Skills or equivalent knowledge and skills. This course on Using Windows 7 teaches you about the Microsoft Windows 7 operating system. You will learn how to use features of the operating system and how to customize it to make it easier to do what you want to do with the computer. The course explores such features as the Desktop, the Start menu, Gadgets, searching on the computer, and using some of the Accessories and other Windows 7 applications. Covered in detail is the use of Windows Explorer to manage files, folders, disks, and flash drives. In addition, you will learn system maintenance tools like Disk Cleanup, System Restore, Windows Update, and Backup and Restore. You will also learn a little about using Internet Explorer to get around on the Internet.

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.

Using Your Digital Camera (Course Fee $20.00) PREREQUISITE: Windows XP course or equivalent experience. Prerequisite 2: A digital camera, your own or one that's borrowed. This course teaches how to use Windows XP to manage the photos you take with your digital camera. The topics covered include: how a digital camera works; digital camera choices and characteristics; how to use a digital camera (we will take pictures outside); how to transfer the photos from your camera to a computer; scanning prints to create digital image files; simple computer photo editing using Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 (cropping, resizing, removing red eye); printing photos, e-mailing photos, and archiving photos to a CD-R.

Picasa Web Albums (Course Fee $15.00) PREREQUISITE: 1) Windows XP course or equivalent experience. 2) A home PC running Windows XP or Vista and connected to the Internet. 3) A digital camera with which you currently take pictures. 4) A Gmail/Picasa Web Albums account. This course teaches how to create online photo albums using Google's free Picasa software, a better way to share photos with family and friends than attaching photos to e-mail. You will learn how to install the Picasa software on your home PC, transfer photos from a digital camera to your computer, perform basic computer photo editing using Picasa (cropping, straightening, removing red eye), create virtual photo albums on your PC, and upload your albums to Google's Web site. You need to sign up for a free Google/Picasa Web Albums account before the first class. Contact the instructor, Tony Steimle, at 268-1779 if you have any problems signing up.

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 photos each week.

Searching for Online Genealogy Records (Course Fee: $ 20.00) PREREQUISITE: Beginning Computer Skills plus familiarity with MS Internet Explorer and e-mail. This course explores a variety of Web sites in search of genealogical resources. It focuses on showing you how to get the most out of genealogical resources that you can access from your home computer. Topics include setting up your search criteria, organizing your search efforts and properly recording your search results. We will visit the FamilySearch (Mormon) Web site, along with Cyndi's List, RootsWeb and a variety of other sites. We also cover how to search through census and Social Security death records.

Introduction to Google (Course Fee: $15.00) PREREQUISITE: Completion of Computer Fundamentals or equivalent knowledge and skills. Access to a computer with an Internet connection is necessary. Google is a powerful but simple Internet search engine that allows you to search more than 3 billion (and counting) Web pages. This course gives you a thorough but concise tour of Google’s features using practical examples that enable you to locate the information you seek. If it’s out there, you can find it. Don’t search, Google!

Downloading Pictures, Programs and Documents (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. Often information is available on the Internet that would be convenient to have near at hand on our own PC. For example, if the user manual for the new coffee pot gets lost in the packaging trash, it is almost certain that the manual is available on the Internet. Getting a new copy of the manual requires finding it, downloading it and printing it. If the news stories about computer privacy and spyware are a concern, free software can be downloaded from the Internet that will keep hackers on the outside of a firewall. You will learn to gather information tailored to your personal interest, download, organize and install it in your own private library.

Using Photo Story 3 (Course Fee: $ 15.00) PREREQUISITE: Completion of Windows XP or equivalent experience AND experience using digital images with a computer. Only for students with Windows XP. Photo Story 3 is a new free Microsoft program that allows the user to create professional looking slide shows from ordinary digital photographs. Capabilities to add music, narration, and amazing pan and zoom effects are included. The finished product is a movie file (wmv extension) that is played with Windows Media Player 10. In this 4-week course we will create several slideshows.

Spreadsheet Using Microsoft Excel 2007 (Course Fee: $ 20.00) PREREQUISITE: Completion of at least one intermediate course or equivalent knowledge and skills. Ability to use a mouse comfortably and basic typing skills are required. It is recommended that students bring a flash drive to class. Excel, which is part of the Microsoft Office 2007 suite of programs, is the most widely used spreadsheet software. This course guides students through the essential skills needed to create effective spreadsheets. You will learn to enter data, create formulas, format spreadsheets, and create charts. Examples and exercises reinforce learning.

Managing Your Files using Windows XP Course Fee: $15.00 PREREQUISITE: Completion of Beginning Computer Skills or equivalent knowledge and skills. Learn to organize your files with this four-week course. Are your files and folders scattered all over your hard drive? Do you spend a lot of time searching through My Documents and still not find what you’re looking for? Where is that file you downloaded, and what is its name? This Windows XP course shows how to use Windows Explorer to create, move, rename and delete files and folders; create a file structure; and much more.

SeniorNet Learning Center of Almaden
City of San Jose
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services
Almaden Community Center
6445 Camden Ave.
San José, CA 95120
(408)268-1133