Computer Skills for the Workplace

Confidently apply for jobs knowing that you possess the computer skills needed to perform on the job. This course includes a great introduction to Windows 10 and Office 365 to provide the fundamental computer competencies you need to prosper in a modern workplace.

Details
Syllabus
Requirements
Instructor
Reviews

Enrollment Options

$129.00

Self-Guided

3 Months Access

No Instructor. Course begins when you enroll.

Instructor-Moderated

6 Weeks Access

Study online with Instructor moderated discussion boards.

Select Course Start Date:

October 16, 2024

November 13, 2024

December 18, 2024

January 15, 2025

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$129.00

Self-Guided

Enroll Now

Details

Most jobs today require a working knowledge of certain computer skills. Employers seek and reward employees who can effectively send emails, create spreadsheets, manage databases, understand memory and network limitations, and recognize the function and features of modern computer components. Any job candidate who already possesses these skills will stand above those who do not.

This course is designed to provide the fundamental computer competencies you need to survive and prosper in today's fast-changing workplace. You will learn how to implement the powers of modern office software to work faster and more efficiently. This course will also focus on practical applications for software most common to the workplace. By the time you finish, you will have learned why employers consider technological literacy so critical to the success of any organization.

Syllabus

Lesson 1 - Overview: The Workplace Technology Solution

Whether you're looking for a new job or looking to improve your position at your current company, computer skills are essential to your success. In our first lesson, we'll examine how companies set up and use technology solutions. Then we'll take a close look at some of the components of those solutions. Just understanding how technology fits into the overall flow of work at your company will advance your position relative to your peers.

Lesson 2 - Outlook: Email and Scheduling

Your computer has a software program installed on it that's referred to as an "operating system." Most often, this system is Microsoft Windows, but it could be others, such as macOS or Linux. In this lesson, you'll learn how this system controls many important parts of the computer and how you use those controls every day for tasks like managing where you keep important files, and printing hard copies of documents. We'll also talk about menus, taskbars, and shortcuts along the way.

Lesson 3 - Word: Creating and Formatting Documents

Next to email, the word processor is probably the most frequently used application software in the workplace. Yet, if you've never taken the time to learn the basic features of most word processors, you're not performing nearly to your potential. In today's lesson, you'll learn and practice the important capabilities of word processors like Microsoft Word.

Lesson 4 - Word: More Advanced Formatting

There are many excellent features in Microsoft Word that can enable you to create and edit very professional-looking documents. In this lesson, we are going to incorporate some of the more advanced Word functions to create documents that are sure to impress your peers and your supervisor. We'll focus on formatting and organizing your information using a wide range of Word processor tools.

Lesson 5 - Excel: Spreadsheet Basics

During today's lesson, we'll go over some important fundamental concepts related to spreadsheets, including spreadsheet organization, formatting, basic formulas, and data sorting. Once you discover how to create a basic budget spreadsheet, you'll see how the skills and knowledge you gain from this lesson can have a powerful impact on your ability to contribute more in the workplace.

Lesson 6 - Excel: Formatting, Charts, and Printing

In this lesson, we'll discuss more details about the spreadsheet, and how to provide easy-to-understand, accurate data. You'll learn how to build graphs that can graphically display numeric information so you can easily demonstrate trends, analyze past results, and predict future performance. You'll also find out how to use some advanced spreadsheet tools that can make your spreadsheets even more effective.

Lesson 7 - Access: Database Basics

During this lesson, we'll examine the components of a database, focusing primarily on the user interface. In your job, you might use this interface to perform a lot of different functions, including data input, data output, and data maintenance. Clerks work with databases to input information. Other employees might work with databases to filter, sort, and read information. Database-management personnel interface with databases to keep them accurate, reliable, and secure.

Lesson 8 - PowerPoint: Creating and Editing a Presentation

PowerPoint is an important tool for creating presentations suitable for the work environment. This powerful program has many features, but they must be used correctly or else your audience will be distracted or overloaded. In this lesson, we'll explore the best ways to create an effective presentation that incorporates the right mix of multimedia. You'll learn how to insert graphics and audio into your presentation in an effective and organized manner.

Lesson 9 - Integrating Microsoft Office Programs

The suite of Microsoft Office products includes Excel and Access, which are both very powerful on their own. In this lesson, you are going to learn how to actually integrate information from one program to the other. You can create data lists with either program and easily transfer the information to the other. Considering all the work we do with lists on the computer, this is a very important skill in today's work environment. Plus, you'll find out how mail merge can save you time and effort by allowing you to customize letters, labels, and more!

Lesson 10 - Using the Internet

In today's lesson, we're going to have fun working with the Internet. This is the greatest source of information you'll ever have access to—yet it can be confusing and overwhelming if you are not familiar with the basic Internet tools. You'll really enjoy seeing how easy it is to find information that specifically meets your needs and interests.

Lesson 11 - Transferring and Protecting Data

Today, we'll go over various methods for transferring information from one computer to another. We'll explore different terms used to describe the volume of information—or size of a file—and then learn how to most effectively and efficiently move that data from place to place. You'll learn about bytes, megabytes, memory sticks, and external hard drives.

Lesson 12 - Putting Your Skills to Work

In our final lesson, we will focus on putting all your new knowledge to work! We have three specific goals. The first is to identify ways to use your computer skills to find a new job. The second is to use those same computer skills to get a promotion within your current organization. Our third goal is to explore strategies for continued learning in order to support your ever-growing employment goals.

Requirements

Prerequisites:

There are no prerequisites to take this course.

Requirements:

Hardware Requirements:

This course must be taken on a PC. Macs are not compatible.

Software Requirements:

PC: Windows 10 or later.
Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox is preferred. Microsoft Edge is also compatible.
Any edition of Microsoft Office with desktop apps: Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Access (not included in enrollment).
Adobe Acrobat Reader.
Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.

Other:

Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.

Instructional Material Requirements:

The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment and will be available online.

Instructor

Dave Paquin

Dave Paquin has been teaching computer skills in the classroom for over 15 years. He holds a Master of Science in Training and Learning Technology and has extensive experience as a Human Resources manager.

Reviews

Computer skills is something I have been lacking for years now. I am already learning more than I thought I ever would. Instructor Dave presents the information in a very easy to understand format which basically makes it like child play. I am extremely pleased with both the instructor and the information being presented. Now that I am learning these new skills, I know I will be an asset to any organization in todays work force. Thanks Instructor Dave. I have a totally new outlook on life in general!

Dave, thanks so much for an awesome class! I am looking for a new opportunity after 20 years with one employer and this was the perfect course to teach me things so that I could be competitive in my job search. I also recommended and sent the link to a friend and I know he is excited about taking your course as well.

Dave, you're a fabulous teacher. You have opened a door for me. You really know your stuff and it's been a great experience doing each lesson, reading and participating in the discussions and gaining knowledge that makes me feel confident in handling my work and/or problems that arise with the computer. I plan to take more courses and see how far I can go. Thank you so very much!

Great class, great material. I have already implemented what I have learned and got a great promotion!! Thanks for taking the scariness out of the computer world for me. I am looking forward to more on-line classes, this is a great way to learn. Thanks Dave.

I enjoyed this course. I felt rather "computer illiterate" before taking it, but found that I knew more than I thought I did. Also; my trouble areas weren't as difficult as I expected them to be. I would highly reccomend this course and may take others myself. Thank you very much for your assistance.

I'm so excited about having taken this online course. It has truly proven to be very beneficial to me in both my work environment and personal use, as well as managing my spouse’s small business. I have recommended this course to some of my friends and family. When I first took the pre-test I scored 69%. Needless to say I was quite discouraged. I'm happy to say that after the 12 lessons and finally taking the final exam I scored 100% on the final exam. Instructor Dave you did a great job with course presentation and replies to our questions. We all owe you for this wonderful new wealth of knowledge. Thank you!

I thought this course was extremely helpful in improving my skills and liked the style of the course and would like to take more on-line courses in the future.

I've used a computer in my home for approximately 9 years and what I know I've learned from my husband, and one other computer course, and a lot of trial and error. I recently entered the work force and want to feel confident in what I know. This course helped with that. Taking this class has helped me feel a little more confident and has inspired me to take some harder courses for the more specific information I will need to do my job. Although, this did not start out to be the class for me, I am glad I did pursue it.

I was juggling this course and another (Intro to Word) while simultaneously seeking employment all summer. Happily I completed both classes and was able to land a temp-to-hire job primarily based on my familiarity with spreadsheets. A computer literacy test was required; many of the questions were covered in this course. I was able to impress them with a score in the 85th percentile, thanks to these classes. I plan to follow your advice and continue to build my computer skills next session with Intermediate Word and Excel. Thanks, Instructor Dave!

This course was perfect for me. Cannot be more pleased with the way that things were explained on my level to get started. I am a busy mother of 3, ages 19, 16, and 9yrs old with multiple medical special needs and recently started my first job outside of the home after 18yrs of raising children. I could make this fit into my hectic schedule of work, motherhood and 'nursing'/special needs world. I learned a lot from this course and do intend to continue on with more courses online. Thank you for providing an affordable online course!!