Course
Description

This course familiarizes learners with the personal computer, Windows, word processing (Microsoft Word), spreadsheet (EXCEL), presentations (PowerPoint), E-mail and the Internet (Internet Explorer and Mozilla Firefox). Also the Cambridge College online Library and CC Portal.

Students get hands-on experience with these applications and an overview of personal and professional uses. Students progress from a beginning level through an intermediate level.

The class will meet on site at Cambridge College at 1000 Mass Ave in Room 305A.

Classes will be held:
Thursday evenings
Sept 27, Oct 4, 11, 18, 25 Nov 1
Nov 8 (final presentations)**

**Note: Special Guest Instructor: Leslie Pirtle will facilitate class on Oct 11 & Oct 25

Location: All classes will meet at Newton Wellesley Hospital, Computer Lab

Virtual Class
may be scheduled depending upon student interest/TBD

Time:
5:00 - 9:20 pm
note: Nov 8 class – (final presentations) will be held 7:00 pm – 10:00 pm

The purpose of the course is to introduce participants to the components of computer applications. The course also provides a coherent overview of the philosophy of computer applications their benefits, rational and design features. Emphasis will be placed on students developing a specific set of skills as well as how to find answers and resources pertaining to the development of their specific skills.

Students are required to create and participate in a dynamic learning environment and develop a skill set where they teach and learn form each other. The course will also provide an introduction to the Cambridge College computer system for communications, research and group work which will lay the foundation for future course work in the Management, Healthcare Management and Education Programs.

Students overcome fears and imagined limitations, such as computer phobia, returning to school, and learning the computer keyboard. Students begin with the basics of each software application and progress beyond intermediate level and integrate their knowledge of software applications into their professional work and graduate study.

• Provides a hands-on introduction to the personal computer
• Basic skills for Windows environment on PC
• Basic skills for word processing in Micro Soft WORD (MS Word)
• Basic skills for spread sheets in Micro Soft EXCEL (MS Excel)
• Basic skills for presentations in Micro Soft POWERPOINT (MS PowerPoint)
• Basic skills for use and research on the Internet
• Overview of Cambridge College technology
• CCOL Cambridge College Online Library
• My CC Portal

2. Attain a level of professional competence in on-line research for management topics.

3. Attain a level of competence with various tools (spreadsheet, document processing, presentation tools, webpage, and project management) and demonstrate the use of those tools to support business objectives.

4. Improve their ability to communicate electronically with other users and work in virtual groups to complete projects

5. Understand the research project cycle, including project planning, timelines, documentation and the steps in completing a project portfolio.

6. Discuss some of the legal, ethical and security issues surrounding the increased use of computer-based technology in the workplace.

2. All reading, homework and project assignments are due on time.

3. Class sessions will be a mixture of lecture, discussion, and hands-on exercises, both group and individual. The first two are important to improve your understanding of the concepts, in order that you can apply them more effectively.

4. Assigment Percentages:
Class attendance and participation 20%

Research Homework assignment 10%
Each student will select a topic and present information on that topic. The assignments will be handed out and discussed in more detail in class, and must be turned in (hard copy) and/or presented in the next class session. I also request an email copy be sent to me via email.

Individual Paper 35%
A research paper that will use online research and basic computer applications will be due. The student will identify a topic, frame the research focus, use on-line sources to gather information, synthesize the data and prepare a paper using WORD and EXCEL, and develop a presentation in POWERPOINT intended for a work or professional audience.

Individual Presentation 35%
Students will create a PowerPoint presentation based on their paper. It will allow for an integreation of WORD, EXCEL and POWERPOINT. Each student will make a final presentation.

Students are encouraged to build in their own interests and workplace needs into the design of their term project.

Note: Please submit all assignments in hard copy form at the class in which it is due. I also request file copies be sent to me via email.

TOPICS

Overview of the course
Computers - window into an entire universe
How to navigate and discover new worlds

Getting Started
Computer Basics
- Introduction to computer systems
- Operating Systems & Windows
- Internet, E-mail & Browsers

Possible topic depending on interest:
- Web 2.0 and social networking
- BLOGs
- WIKIs

Micro Soft WORD
- Introduction to word processing and Micro Soft WORD
- Creating and Editing a Document
- Formatting a Document
- Creating a Report or Research Paper
- Creating Tables
- More Word & Email

Micro Soft EXCEL
- Introduction to spreadsheets and EXCEL
- Creating a Worksheet
- Using Excel functions and formats
- Creating Charts
- Managing and Analyzing a Complex Workbook

Micro Soft POWERPOINT
- Introduction to presentation software and Micro Soft PowerPoint
- Creating a Presentation

Bringing it all together
- Integration with Excel and Word
- Integration PowerPoint, Excel, and Word

Final Presentations
- Presentation of PowerPoint slideshows

Wrapping it all up
- Review & Course Evaluation

Catherine Seo is founder and president of Synergistic Solutions: Evolving Beyond Chaos, headquartered in Cambridge, Mass. The consortium, founded in 1989, offers support to organizations and industry in dealing with turbulence, change, and crisis impacting the workplace.

She received a Bachelor of Science in communications and education from Emerson College, and a Masters of Science in Strategic Technology Management from the Graduate Center of Technology at Marlboro College.

Catherine has certification and/or training in advanced mediation, systems thinking, and relational dynamics, as well as a technical background in computer programming and systems analysis.