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 Description of Courses

 Computer Fundamentals

This course is intended for the senior with no previous exposure to computers. It will introduce concepts and basic skills necessary to get the most out of subsequent courses. The course material is organized into four 2-½ hour classes, followed by two meetings for review and guided exercises. Material covered will include understanding computer concepts and terminology, using the keyboard and mouse, starting and ending programs, using menus, and introducing text operations. The student must take "Introduction to Computers" prior to any advanced courses, as this course provides a unique basis of understanding for all subsequent courses.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Keyboarding/Mousercise

PREREQUISITE: None

Improving keyboard typing skills and speed (using self paced "Typing Master" computer program)-helpfull hints/shortcuts to use. Mouse exercises for improving skills.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Introduction to Computers

PREREQUISITE: Computer Fundamentals (for those who have no previous computer experience).

This eight week course (one day per week, two hours per day) is intended for beginners, and focuses on what a computer is and how to use it. Emphasis will be placed on developing skills in using a computer mouse and keyboard, and learning how to interact with your computer. We will explore the use of a computer for letter writing, for managing financial data, and for maintaining other types of data (mail lists, telephone lists). Use of e-mail and the Internet will be demonstrated. The classes are designed to be enjoyable and user-friendly. Upon successful completion of this class, you will be eligible to attend other more advanced SeniorNet courses.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Introduction to Word Processing

PREREQUISITE: Intro. To Computers

Write without frustration. Learn to edit, change formats and type with style. Add headings and footnotes, produce tables and work with graphics, form letters and mailing labels. We suggest you have basic typing skills, an understanding of Microsoft Windows, and a basic knowledge of computers.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Windows XP

PREREQUISITE: Intro. To Computers

An overview of the basic components of the Micorosoft XP Operating System. Teaches the basic skills in using XP Explorer. Provides information on persnalizing your desktop, Taskbar and Start menus to meet student needs. Learn how to maintain computer hard drive.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Buying a Computer

The Buying a Computer class will be conducted in a single two hour session. It is intended to help the student decide what IBM compatible computer to buy to meet their present and future needs. To accomplish this the student will learn what the key hardware items are in the computer and what software is required. The student will then be shown two methods that will help them determine the specific computer to buy. Several handouts will be provided including a glossary of terms and ten tips for buying a computer.

 Introduction to Quicken

PREREQUISITE: Intro. To Computers and one other Intermediate course.

This class will introduce you to the most popular home finance program of the day. You will learn how to set up and manage checking, credit card, and investment accounts. You will learn how to reconcile your checking account, define transactions, develop a budget including budget categories, and how to make reports as you want them.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Introduction To Digital Photography

PREREQUISITE: Introduction To Computers

Explore types of digital cameras, what kind fits your needs, costs, (camera, software, printer, ink, etc.). Learn how to use your digital camera. View slide show of your photos. Repair your photos. Print and e-mail pictures using software.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Intermediae Digital Photography

PREREQUISITE: Digital Photography 1

More advanced technical aspects of digital photography. Organizing/creating albumns for digital pictures, create slide show, transfer photos from camera to flash drive or CD, touch up pictures, apply special effects

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Digital Photography (Maintaining Your Photos)

PREREQUISITE: None

How to maintain your photos: you will learn how to scan your photos, transfer photos from camera onto a CD or Flashdrive, to touch up pictures, apply special effects, and to create projects using "Picture It" 10.0 photo program.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 America Online

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Computers
Access to a computer connected to an Internet Service Provider (America On Line recommended).

With a computer and a modem you can send and receive messages and information over vast networks of computers tied together by telephone lines. We will explore AOL (America Online) with emphasis on SeniorNet and AOL’s e-mail service and on AOL as an Internet Service Provider. SeniorNet is a special area of AOL which enables you to communicate with other SeniorNet AOL subscribers though chat rooms, bulletin boards and library files. Our Internet focus will be on ways of finding information on the web. Classes will meet one day a week for 8 weeks.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Introduction to Database

PREREQUISITE: Intro. To Computers

Database is a record-keeping tool. It will help you keep inventories, membership information, address lists, telephone lists, etc. Use the Database to search and retrieve particular items or to list data alphabetically, chronologically, numerically, etc.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Introduction to Spreadsheets

PREREQUISITE: Intro. To Computers

Learn to use the computer for household budgets, investment analysis and other applications where you want to calculate sums, differences, averages, percentages, and other financial or mathematical data.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Creating A Personal Website

PREREQUISITE: Intro. To Computers

In this class you will sign up for a free web site at Yahoo!Geocities. You will use Wizards to create preformatted web pages without any programming. You will then use GeoCities PageBuilder to create pages of your own design, again without any programming. Finally, you will learn to manipulate your web files at GeoCities

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Genealogy

PREREQUISITES: Introduction to computers and basic mouse skills.

This course will acquaint the student with the features of Broderbund’s
Family Tree Maker program. The course will explore how this program facilitates the collecting and saving of family facts, printing family trees, writing family histories, and generating other genealogical reports.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Graphics & Scanning

 PREREQUISITE: Completion of Introduction To Computer course, one intermediate course, and proficiency in the use of the mouse.

This course features the use of Adobe PhotoDeluxe on the Windows 95 platform. Related topics such as graphic file formats, file compression, and scanning software are discussed. Due to the complexity of Graphics/Scanning and with the availability of only three flatbed scanners some of the lab exercises (e.g. scanning a photo)will require a coach’s assistance and be done in pairs. Most exercises will be done individually. Students must be able to use Windows and to follow written procedures independently.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Introduction to the Internet

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Computers
Introduction to Word Processing highly recommended
Access to a computer connected to an Internet Service Provider.

With access to a computer, a modem and an Internet Service Provider, you can send and receive e-mail as well as surf the Internet and the World Wide Web. General techniques of using e-mail will be taught. Our expanded coverage of the Internet will allow us to explore many interesting web sites using Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape Navigator. We will use search engines with advanced search techniques to find information about investments, travel, sports, weather, food, games, and thousands of other topics. Classes will meet one day a week for 8 weeks.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

E-mail & Web Searching

PREREQUISITE: Access to a computer connected to an Internet Service Provider.

CONTENT: With access to a computer, a modem and an Internet Service Provider, you can send and receive e-mail as well as surf the Internet and the World Wide Web. General techniques of using e-mail will be taught. Classes will meet one day a week for two sessions of 4 weeks each.

Class fee: Contact Instructor


 Database & Spreadsheet

PREREQUISITES: IIntroduction to Computers and basic mouse skills.

This course studies the record keeping abilities of both spreadsheets and
databases. The spreadsheet can be used for household budgets, investment analysis, and other applications where one desires to calculate sums, differences, averages, percentages and other financial or
mathematical data, and be able to present the results in graphs and
charts. The database is a tool used to make lists - telephone numbers, address lists, inventories and the like. Databases can be sorted to present lists in alphabetical, numerical, or chronological order. As an example, address book entries will be merged to prepare mailing labels. We will register 17 students in this class.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Cards and Calenders

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Computers
Introduction to Word Processing highly recommended.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Internet Workshop

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Computers

CONTENT: Learn How to protect your computer, keep it updated and problem free; learn about spam, cookies, viruses, etc.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Income Tax Preparation

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Computers

CONTENT: The course material is under development.

Class fee:

 Print Artist

PREREQUISITE: Intro. To Computers

CONTENT: The course material is under development.

Class fee:

 Income Tax Preparation

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Computers

CONTENT: The course material is under development.

Class fee:

 E-mail Workshop

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Computers

CONTENT: Everthing you want to know about e-mail (using Hotmail Website). Learn how to send e-mail with attachments, create an address book, block unwanted e-mail (Spam).

Class fee: Contact Instructor

Personalized Graphic Workshop

PREREQUISITE: Permission of Instructor

CONTENT: Create your own memory/scrapbook, individual specialized cards of all types, (personal and business), create your own graphic computerized "T" shirt transfers.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Computer Maintenance

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Computers

CONTENT: Downloading virus protection and critical updates from Microsoft; Learn about Spam and Cookies; keep your computer problem free.

Class fee: Free

 Surfing the Web

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Computers

CONTENT: Learn how to access the world wide web.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Files/folders

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Computers

CONTENT: Learn how to create, organize and safely delete files and folders;
combine multiple files in one folder.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 Adobe Photo Album

PREREQUISITE: Intro. to Computers

CONTENT: Learn how to organize and share digital photos

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 PowerPoint

PREREQUISITE: Intro. to Computers

CONTENT: Learn how to make presentations

Class fee: Contact Instructor

Scanning Workshop

PREREQUISITE: None

CONTENT: Learn how to scan digital photos

Class fee: Contact Instructor

Cyber Security

PREREQUISITE: None

CONTENT: Learn how to protect your computer from spam and viruses.

Class fee: Contact Instructor

Movie Maker

PREREQUISITE: None

CONTENT: Learn how to make movies with your digital camera

Class fee: Contact Instructor

Buying on E-Bay

PREREQUISITE: None

CONTENT: Learn how to buy on E-Bay

Class fee: Contact Instructor

Inside the box workshop

PREREQUISITE: None

CONTENT: Learn about the components in the computer Box (case)

Class fee: Contact Instructor

Vista Made Easy

PREREQUISITE: None

CONTENT: Learn about Microsoft Vista Operating System

Class fee: Contact Instructor

Social Networking

PREREQUISITE: None

CONTENT: Learn about Social Networking

Class fee: Contact Instructor

 


Cypress SeniorNet Learning Center
City of San Jose
Department of Parks, Recreation, and Neighborhood Services
Cypress Senior Center
403 S. Cypress Avenue
San Jose, CA. 95117