CLASSES FOR CITY OF LONGMONT EMPLOYEES

EXPLORING_WINDOWS (requires Windows)

COMPUTER_HYGIENE (requires Windows)

General Computer Introduction

This class is designed for the person who has not discovered the Joys of Computer Solitaire.  It is also a Must for anyone wanting to purchase or upgrade a computer and cannot decipher the lingo (Pentium? Megahertz??)  We even talk about turning the thing on and off!  This is the only computer course you can take that doesn’t have a prerequisite.

Length of class: 3 hours

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Windows

Confused about when to click and when to double-click?  Hate your computer?  This class starts with an overview of how Windows manages your computer’s hardware.  You will learn to change your display and tweak both your keyboard and mouse settings.

Learn what a desktop is and then create icons for it.  Then discover how easy it is to install and remove software.  Figure out the difference between program files and data files.  Copy, delete and organize those data files. 

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite:  General Computer Introduction

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Exploring Windows (or Where the *&! are my Files?)

Are you spending time retyping important documents because your computer ate them?  Do you spend hours downloading files only to be unable to find them?  Do your attachments disappear?  This class can solve these problems.

You will learn (or review) where files live on your computer and how they are organized.  You will learn to search for files.  You will learn to copy files.  You will learn about the City’s network.  You will learn how to tell your software where YOU want it to save the data.  When you leave this class, YOU will be in charge!

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite: Windows

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Internet Basics

We start this class with a brief discussion of the different companies that provide Internet services and how to hook up to them.  We then discuss the software you will use.  Then you get to play.  You will be having so much fun that you won’t realize that you’ve learned about web addresses, search engines, shop bots and Netiquette.  This class ends with a discussion of privacy issues.  At the finale you will be tossing your cookies and clearing your cache as well as any expert.

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite:  Windows

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Word A

Learn to use this popular software to create, format, print, save and retrieve documents.  The topics you will learn will be:

¨      Selecting text

¨      Quick ways to move around a document

¨      Fonts — what they are and how to change them

¨      Inserting symbols

¨      Moving and copying chunks of text

¨      Centering text

¨      Changing line spacing

¨      Setting margins

¨      Reorienting your paper, changing its size and telling the *(& printer where to find that pesky paper.

¨      Inserting page breaks

¨      Saving and opening files.

¨      Printing

By taking this class, you will become the world’s best speller because you will be using the built-in Spell Checker.  You will also increase your vocabulary with the Thesaurus.  Learn about the Grammar Checker and how to use the Help files.  (Yeah, yeah, but SOMETIMES they work.)

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite:  Windows

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Word B

Start learning the finer points of Microsoft Word in this class.  Topics include:

¨      Hyperlinks and Smart Tags

¨      Tabs

¨      Indents

¨      Numbered and bulleted lists

¨      Borders and shading

¨      Sections

¨      Headers and footers

¨      Page numbering

¨      Comments

¨      Tables

¨      Graphics

You will also learn to make Word work for you with Autocorrect and Autotext.  By the end of this class, you will be comfortable with all the basic features that Word offers.

Length of class: 3 hours.

Prerequisite:  Word A

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Word C

Take this class to save time.  Are you tired of drilling down through menus to find commands?  Learn to customize your toolbars and your menus.  Then learn to save more time by using, editing and creating templates.

¨      Learn about the built-in shortcut keys. 

¨      Learn to automate Word by creating macros.

¨      Learn to create your own styles. 

¨      Learn to compare different sections of your documents by revealing the formatting.

Bring your questions AND your problem documents to fix.

Length of class: 3 hours.

Prerequisite:  Word B

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Word D

If you routinely handle large documents, you’ll love the section on outlining and master documents.  We will play around with the different views that allow you to zip around documents with just a mouse click.

This is the class that will show you how to create a table of contents.

We will also cover creating mail merge documents (letters, Email messages, envelopes, labels and directories.)

You will finally learn how to sort lists and tables.

This class ends with an overview of all the ways you can tweak Word to eliminate the “features” you find most annoying.

Length of class: 3 hours.

Prerequisite:  Word B

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Microsoft Graphics: ClipArt and Drawing

It is not well known that you can create graphic images in most Microsoft products.  In this class we use Word to learn about the features of Microsoft’s Drawing Toolbar.  (This same toolbar is available in Excel and PowerPoint.) 

We start out with ClipArt – finding the Perfect Image (using the Web) and then manipulating it (changing brightness, contrast, colors and cropping.)  You will learn to control the flow of text around any image (ClipArt, or a scanned photo or…) You will also learn about objects in general with an emphasis on WordArt and Text Boxes. 

The talented among you will also be able to create incredible drawings using lines, ovals, rectangles and other basic shapes.  Everyone else will be utterly thrilled and amazed by Diana’s example of her Famous Martini Glass.

Length of class: 2 hours

Prerequisite:  Word A plus a sense of the absurd

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Creating Forms in Word

Have you heard about the one about us becoming a paperless society?  Well, this is the class that might save half a tree because the forms you will design are intended to be filled out on a computer. 

Review the concept of Templates.  Then learn how to use Tables to create NON-MOVING underlined areas that can be filled in.  The class then moves on to building forms that contain drop-down fields and check boxes.  We end up using form fields that will prompt your users for an answer that then inserts itself into the appropriate area of your form. 

Length of class: 2 hours

Prerequisite:  Word B

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Mail Merge

The term “mail merge” is used to describe the process of combining some form of address list with a form letter to create a group of individualized letters.  In this class you will learn to create lists in Word, and then convert them into letters, envelopes and labels. 

For good measure, you will also practice using an existing Excel address list.

Length of class: 2 hours

Prerequisite:  Word A

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Excel A

In this class, students will learn:

¨      what a spreadsheet is

¨      how to create a new one

¨      how to decipher an existing one

¨      how to save and print one

¨      the difference between a formula and a value

¨      how Excel calculates (yes, a math review!)

¨      how to find Excel’s built-in formulas

¨      how to create your own formulas

¨      how to make simple formatting changes so you create a numeric report that is easy to read.

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite:  Windows

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Excel B

Build on the skills you acquired in the first class.  Topics in this class are:

¨      formatting cells

¨      conditional formatting (yes, you can tell Excel to scream out your answers to you!)

¨      the finer points of formulas, including circular references and naming your ranges

¨      tweaking your labels, including having Excel generate column or row headers automatically for you

¨      grouping pages so you won’t have to type the same thing multiple times anymore

¨      creating a database

¨      quickly rearranging and finding your information

¨      turning your boring numbers into a Beautiful Chart.

After this class, you should be able to handle anything your boss throws at you.

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite:  Excel B

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Excel C

Take this class to save time.  Are you tired of drilling down through menus to find commands?  Learn to customize your toolbars and your menus.  Then learn to save more time by using, editing and creating templates.

¨      Learn about the built-in shortcut keys. 

¨      Learn to automate Excel by creating macros.

¨      Learn to import and then analyze data from different (non-Excel) sources

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite:  Excel B

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Excel D

This is the class that teaches you to ask questions.  Using a couple of sample databases, you will review the basic data functions of Sort, Filter, Form and Subtotals. 

You will then learn about slightly different formulas (IF Statements and Arrays). 

Discover how to link data from other pages or other files.

Learn how to easily trace errors in your formulas.

Then learn other ways (Pivot Tables, Data Tables, Goal Seeking and What-If analyses) you can use to have Excel cough up The Answer. 

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite:  Excel B

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Excel Charting

This class builds on the basic charting skills you learned in the Excel B class.  Review the parts of a chart.  Then learn to modify your chart by changing its type, adding additional series, adding a second y-axis and even formatting the data series to turn your columns into representational graphics (in other words, change your boring column into a tree trunk or a stack of dollar bills.)

Length of class: 2 hours

Prerequisite:  Excel B

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Excel Macros

If you find yourself doing the same things over and over again, it is time to learn to create a macro to automate that task.  Then learn to assign that macro to a shortcut key combination or to a toolbar button. 

You’ll be surprised how easy it is to think in logical steps and create what is essentially a customized computer program!  Bring your (formerly boring) spreadsheet to the class to work on.

Length of class: 2 hours

Prerequisite:  Excel B

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PowerPoint

PowerPoint is a popular program used to create slide show presentations.  In this class you will learn to create a basic presentation; vary the background to suit your audience; change and format your text; and add, remove or rearrange slides.  You will then learn how to supplement the basic show with animation, pictures, sounds and movie clips.  Preparation of speaker notes and audience handouts is also covered.  The only thing you won’t have to do is stand up and present your show!

We can’t guarantee that your audience still won’t fall asleep during your talk.  But at least you’ll have a fighting chance of keeping them awake after this class!

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite:  Windows

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Publisher

Desktop publishing has never been easier!  This class walks you through the steps of creating any type of publication.  You will learn about the built-in templates, how to change paper size, add graphics and text boxes, and control the flow of words around your pictures.  You will layer objects, create columns and dump text from one page onto another page without losing a syllable. 

After this class you will be very comfortable with the different visual techniques and tools used in this program.  You will also be able to edit your text in Word in order to take advantage of Word’s grammar and language modules.

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite:  Windows

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Lotus Notes

Lotus Notes is so much more than Email, although we do thoroughly cover the finer points of Email (including organizing the Inbox!) in this class.  Take three hours and learn about the Address Books, To Do list, the Journal and the Calendar features (meetings, appointments, events and anniversaries.)  Create a group calendar for your department.  Change your welcome screen and arrange your bookmarks.  Take advantage of the built in Web links.  And finally, learn to archive what is really important.

Length of class: 3 hours

Prerequisite:  Windows

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Computer Hygiene

Did you know that your computer came preloaded with utility programs that would keep your computer running as efficiently and happily as possible?  Learn about the files that can be safely deleted and then discover your Scan Disk, Disk Defragmenter and Back Up programs.  We will also discuss virus software and spyware.  Your computer will thank you!

Length of class: 2 hours

Prerequisite:  Windows

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Palm

Admit it, you’re still conducting experiments in human cloning by keeping separate schedules in both Notes and on your Palm.  Wouldn’t it be nice to synchronize those files and figure out where you’re really supposed to be?  Learn how Intellisync, Notes and your Palm talk to each other.  Set your preferences, change your fonts and review security levels.  Beam your addresses or appointments to another Palm disciple. 

Bring your questions!

Length of class: 2 hours

Prerequisite:  Lotus Notes plus a Palm Pilot, Sony Clié or Handspring Visor

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Contact PC Obedience at (303) 441-2900, or by Email