Basic Computer Skills Course and Effective Internet Use

Computer Basics. No experience necessary.

COVID-19 update: arrangement of our courses

We are now delivering courses online and in-person. Please check the delivery format of each class before enrolling.

Please note that course materials (excluding prescribed texts) are shared electronically within 48 hours of course commencement. Printing is not available.

This basic computer skills course will provide you with an understanding of the most popular, current technologies used at home and in the workplace. You will become computer literate in this hands-on course while you learn to access, create, save and manage documents, spreadsheets and emails and use the Internet effectively. We demystify terminology and impart best practice skills for productive and secure use of hardware and software.

This course is designed for adults who have little, or no previous experience using a computer.

Aims

This course aims to familiarise you with computers and Microsoft Windows, while learning basic computer, mouse and keyboard skills in a supportive classroom environment.

Outcomes

By the end of this course, you should be able to:

• appropriately start up and shut down your computer
• navigate the operating system and start applications
• perform basic functions of file management
• perform basic functions in a word processor and spreadsheet
• manage print settings and print documents
• receive and send emails
• use a web browser to navigate the Internet.

Content

Hardware and software

• The main components of a computer, including input and output devices
• The function of communication devices such as smartphones and tablets
• The role of Operating Systems, programs and apps

Windows

• Turning on the computer and logging on
• The Windows screen
• Running programs from the Start Menu
• Minimising, maximising, moving, resizing and closing windows
• Logging off and shutting down your computer

Working with programs

• Running multiple programs
• Desktop icons and creating a desktop shortcut
• Managing programs from the taskbar
• Closing programs

File management

• Managing Windows Explorer
• Creating, moving, renaming and deleting folders and files
• Understanding file extensions
• Viewing storage devices and network connections
• Managing USB flash drives

Word processing

• Creating documents in Microsoft Word
• Typing text, numbers and dates into a document
• Easy formatting
• Checking the spelling in your document
• Making and saving changes to your document

Spreadsheets

• Understanding spreadsheet functionality
• Creating spreadsheets in Microsoft Excel
• Typing text numbers and dates into a worksheet
• Easy formulas
• Easy formatting
• Making and saving changes to your workbook
• Printing a worksheet

Printing

• Print preview
• Print settings
• Managing the print queue

Using email

• The Outlook mail screen elements
• Composing and sending an email message
• Managing the Inbox

Accessing the internet

• Going to a specific website and bookmarking
• Understanding how to search/Google effectively
• Copy and paste Internet content into your documents and emails
• Stopping and refreshing pages
• Demystifying the Cloud
• Computer security best practices

Joining a Zoom Meeting

• Discuss the concepts and requirements of virtual conferencing
• Participate in an interactive Zoom Meeting

Intended audience

This course is designed for adults who have little, or no previous experience using a computer and would like the opportunity to learn with others in a supportive and encouraging environment.

Prerequisites

None

Delivery mode

Face-to-face, presenter-taught training in a computer lab.

Delivery style

Presented as practical, instructor-led computer-based training. You will have dedicated access to a computer, so you can follow instructor training and work through in-class activities.

Materials

You will be provided with a course workbook.