Course Descriptions and Schedule

  Fall 2009 Winter 2010 Class Schedule                                                         Important Note:
Software companies frequently produce new versions of their products. You may find that the software we use in the classroom is different from the one you have at home, but you should be able to apply what you learn to your home environment.

INTRODUCTION TO QUICKEN

This new and updated course is for those interested in using the popular personal finance management software to gain better visibility and control of all aspects of their financial situations.  Quicken provides tools for organizing financial tasks, tracking income and expenses, tracking and optimizing investments, gathering tax data, and planning for long term goals such as retirement.  New for this year, each student will receive a complete course manual called “Quicken 2008, The Missing Manual”, with detailed step-by-step instructions and the Quicken 2008 Premier Edition of the operating software so that enrollees do not have to purchase anything additional for their home computers.  The course manual, normally $39 and the Quicken software, normally $79, will be  provided as part of the $65 course fee.

It is strongly recommended that students have sufficient computer operations skills to be able to enter data, save data, print out forms and reports.  This is a comprehensive financial management eight, (8) week course  with each lesson being a pre-requisite to the next.  Absences may result in reducing the understanding and value of the course to the attendees. Ages 50 & up, age on date of class.  Held at Adult Recreation Center.

 

Fall      Tuesday                       1:30-3:30pm                              9/15-11/3

Fee: $65 per person

 INTRODUCTION TO WORD PROCESSING

Using Microsoft Word 2007, Introduction to Word Processing enables the beginning word processing student to create and edit various types of documents, including documents such as newsletters, form letters, address labels, and letterheads.  The student will also learn to insert clip art into a document, change the formatting, and correct errors, while learning about the basic features of the program.  It is recommended that the registrant have Microsoft Word 2007 on the home computer, and have completed the Microsoft Works course or have equivalent skills.  Course manual and student practice files included.  Ages 50 & up, age on date of class. 

Held at Adult Recreation Center.

 Fall      Thursday                    6:30-8:30 pm                       9/17-11/5

Winter    Monday                     1:30-3:30 pm                       1/11-3/1

 Fee: $45 per person

 COMPUTER FUNDAMENTALS

Computer Fundamentals is the beginning level SeniorNet course. You will learn how to properly start and shut down a computer, how to use a mouse, how to use a keyboard, how to open, close and use simple programs commonly found on most computers, and how to use a simple email program called Generations Online, which is available on computers at the Roswell Adult Center.  Students who take this course should be able to read a manual and a computer screen, should be able to hear a teacher in a classroom setting, and should be willing to try something new.  Course manual and student practice files included.  Ages 50 & up, age on date of class.   Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Fall      Thursday                    10:00-Noon                           9/17-11/5

Winter    Tuesday                    10:00-Noon                            1/12-3/2

Fee: $45 per person 

 

 INTRODUCTION TO BUYING AND SELLING ON eBAY

In this workshop you will learn how to register and navigate on the eBay website. The first session provides an overview of how to browse for and find specific items by topic. You will learn how to verify the reputation of a seller and how to track the progress of auctions that interest you. You will learn about important elements such as shipping costs and the privacy policy on a site. The second session will show you how to open an account to sell items on eBay. You will learn how to add a picture to your listing to make it more appealing. You will learn about pricing and tracking the progress of your auction.

To take this course, it is required that you bring the following information to the workshop:

·         1. A valid email address that you can access remotely, using your ID & password

·        2. A valid credit card, (MasterCard, Visa or American Express)

·             3. Checking account information found on your personal checks: bank name, routing number, and checking account number.

You must have this info to register into the system, but no charges will be incurred by participating in the workshop and registering for e-Bay. It is also highly recommended that you have completed the Introduction to the Internet and email course, or have the equivalent skills. Course manual and student practice files included. Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Winter  Monday                        6:30-8:30 pm                             1/11-1/18

Fee: $25 per person

SECURITY STRATEGIES 

This three-session workshop will show you how to protect your computer from those nasty viruses!  In the first session, you will learn generalities about programs available. We look at security settings all users of PC's should take advantage of, that are built into browsers and email programs.  After applying what you have learned at home, the second session will provide an opportunity to discuss the results and problems arising from changes and scans the previous week.  The third session explores links to websites that support antivirus and antispyware products, and especially how to proceed when a virus scan has found malware on your computer. Held at Adult Recreation Center.

 Winter  Wednesday                   6:30-8:30 pm                   1/13-1/27   three session workshop

Fee: $25 per person

INTRODUCTION TO MICROSOFT WORKS

Microsoft Works is designed for students who have beginning level skills and have Microsoft Works Suite 2003 on their computers. Students will be introduced to word processing, database, and spreadsheet programs, and the Internet. Registrants should have completed the Computer Fundamentals course or have equivalent skills. Course manual and student practice files included. Ages 50 & up, age on date of class.    Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Fall      Wednesday                   1:30-3:30 pm                             9/16-11/4

Winter   Thursday                     10:00-Noon                              1/14-3/4

Fee: $45 per person

INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL PHOTO EDITING WITH PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 7 

Course covers beginner and intermediate digital Photo Editing using Photoshop Elements version 7.  Class exercises include downloading photos from digital camera, cropping pictures, straightening tilted photos, adjusting contrast and color, hiding blemishes, whiten teeth, smooth wrinkles, adjust photo size, adding text to photos, printing, and much more.

This is not a course for computer novices.  Students should be experienced with Windows XP®, or Windows Vista ®, and have use of a computer, photo printer and Elements 7 software.  Student registration fee includes a copy of “Photoshop Elements, the Missing Manual”, by Barbara Brundage ($45 retail), and student practice files with high-resolution photos.  Ages 50 & up, age on date of class.  Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Winter  Monday                        10:00-Noon                             1/11-3/1

Fee: $65 per person

 MEMOIR WORKSHOP

The best gift you can give your children and generations to come is your life’s story.  Everyone has great stories to tell, but some may need a little help getting started, a little encouragement when we get writer’s block, or someone to help with proofreading and editing.  If you are interested in writing your memoir, or have already begun, please join us at the Memoir Workshop.  Your family will gain a sense of identity and stability and a clear understanding of their heritage.  A workshop facilitator will lead the group in discussing pertinent topics such as using dialogue and inserting photographs. Coaches will be available to help with questions.  Writing will be done on computers in the SeniorNet classroom, and participants should bring a flash drive to save their work on.  (A CD will be provided if the participant does not have flash drive capability).  It is recommended that participants complete Microsoft Works or have equivalent Word skills before joining the group. Ages 50 & up, age on date of class.  Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Fall      Tuesday                       6:30-8:30                                   9/15-11/3

Fee: $40 per person 

 INTRODUCTION TO INTERNET AND EMAIL

The goal of this course is to introduce students to the Internet and the fundamentals of using Email.  Included are the basic skills needed to correspond with friends and family using Email, navigating around the Web and searching for information of interest.  Students will also obtain experience in sharing their ideas and support with others via Internet     discussions, chat or Email groups. Some topics include:  Introduction to the Internet and Browser Basics, using email, chat and instant messaging, organizing your browser, saving and downloading files, understanding security, privacy and on-line commerce, viruses, anti-virus programs and more.  The exercises in this course are primarily based on Internet Explorer and Outlook Express.  Students should be comfortable and experienced in using a personal computer, interested in communicating via email, and have a personal computer at home.  Course manual and student practice files included. Ages 50 & up, age on date of class.   Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Fall      Monday                       1:30-3:30 pm                             9/14-11/2

Winter   Wednesday                    1:30-3:30 pm                             1/13-3/3

Fee: $45 per person 

COMPUTERS FOR THE TERRIFIED

If you realize that computers are used in all facets of daily life and are curious as to how to use one, but are terrified to try, then this workshop is for you!  Let our volunteers show you that anyone can do it!  In this two-hour workshop, students will discuss their fears about computer use, learn basic information about the computer, and practice turning the computer on, opening and closing programs, and turning the computer off.  Workshop manual provided.  Ages 50 & up, age on date of class. 

Fall       Wednesday                 6:30-8:30pm                               11/4

Winter   Wednesday                 6:30-8:30pm                               3/3

Fee: $10.00 per person

 EXPLORING WINDOWS VISTA

Exploring Windows presents information on the Windows VISTA operating system. The student will learn what the operating system can do, and how to perform routine maintenance necessary to keep the computer functioning well.
Topics include:

.         Using Windows Explorer;
.         managing the desktop;
.         formatting, copying, and write-protecting disks;
.         modifying system settings and properties;
.         using incidental programs such as the calculator;
.         customizing your system; and
.         improving computer efficiency by identifying hard drive errors and
          defragmenting the hard drive.

It is recommended that registrants have Windows VISTA on their computers at home, and have taken Microsoft Works or have equivalent skills.
Course manual and student practice files included. Ages 50 & up, age on date of class. Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Fall      Tuesday                       10:00-Noon                               9/15-11/3

Winter    Tuesday                       1:30-3:30 pm                             1/12-3/2

Fee: $45 per person  

INTRODUCTION TO EXCEL

Introduction to Excel enables the beginning user to create spreadsheets using Excel software.  Topics covered include entering data; editing and formatting data; saving and retrieving spreadsheet documents, viewing multiple spreadsheets, using the format painter, creating charts, and printing a spreadsheet.  The student will practice creating spreadsheets for stocks, checking accounts, and household expenses.  It is recommended that the registrant have completed the Microsoft Works course, or have equivalent skills. Course manual and student practice files included.  Ages 50 & up, age on date of class.  Held at Adult Recreation Center.

 

Fall      Monday                                10:00-Noon                                                     9/14-11/2

Winter   Wednesday                   10:00-Noon                               1/13-3/3

Fee: $45 per person

INTRODUCTION TO DIGITAL CAMERA

This course is appropriate for those that are considering a digital camera and those that have a digital camera and want to take advantage of its capabilities.  We will cover when digital cameras were developed and why, cover the difference between digital and film cameras.  We will discuss why digital cameras are so popular and cover what to consider if you are going to buy one.  The course will show the student how to prepare and use a digital camera, covering the basic functions of the camera and how pictures are taken.  Time will be devoted to how images are played back on the camera, your computer, and television, as well as the printing of images.  We will cover in-depth connecting the camera to a computer, installing software, downloading images directly from the camera and downloading images from a memory card using a card reader.  Two of the sessions will be practical labs where we will put into practice what we have previously discussed..

Ages 50 & up, age on date of class.  Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Fall-    Thursday                                     1:30-3:30 pm                                                  9/17-11/5

Winter  Thursday                      6:30-8:30 pm                             1/14-3/4

Fee: $45 per person

TYPING KEYBOARDING

This course is a self-teaching program designed to assist you in learning to type or updating your typing skills on the computer. The software is paid for as part of the registration fee and is yours to take home. You will be taught to install the program in class so that you can do so on your home computer. Classroom time is devoted to learning the program and developing typing skills. It is recommended that the student have completed the Computer Fundamentals course, or have equivalent skills. Ages 50 & up, age on date of class. Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Winter  Wednesday                   6:30-8:30 pm                             2/3

Fee: $25 per person

ADVANCED DIGITAL PHOTO EDITING WITH PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS 7

 This course steps up to the next level after completing our Adobe Photoshop Elements 7.0 course.  We will concentrate eight weeks learning about the most powerful features on Photoshop - Layers.  This will include Layer Basics, Blending Layers, Adjustment Layers, Layer Masks, Type and Shape Layers, Enhancing Photos with Layers, Retouching with Layers and Layer Styles.  This is not a course for computer novices.  Student should have strong Windows XP skills, completed the Senior Net Adobe Photoshop Elements course or have equivalent experience, a computer, photo printer and Photoshop Elements 6 or 7 software.  Ages 50 & up.  Held at Adult Recreation Center.

Fall        Wednesday                               10:00-Nonn                   9/16-11/4

Fee       $65.00 per person

INTRODUCTION TO POWERPOINT

Using Power Point 2003, this course introduces students to this tool which may be used for the creation of business presentations, visual memoirs, etc.  Your own creativity and imagination is your guide.  The student will create basic presentations, use design templates, edit existing presentations, add clip art or photos, and develop a slide show including animation.  It is recommended that students have completed MS Windows and Word, courses or have equivalent skills.  Course manual and student practice files included. Held at Adult Recreation Center

Fall      Monday                                    6:30-8:30                       9/14-11/2

Winter    Thursday                                  1:30-3:30                       1/14-3/4

Fee $45.00 per person

PICASA 3

Course covers beginning digital photo editing and album creation.  The student will be using a free computer program, Picasa 3.

 Class exercises will include the following:

  • Importing digital photos from your camera.
  • Creating a photo album.
  • Editing (Enhancing) your digital photos.  Improving color, removing “Red Eye”, cropping photos, sharpening photos.
  • Sharing your photos via e-mail, Web Albums and gift CD’s.
  • Creating slide shows.
  • Creating Collages.
  • Printing your photos or uploading to a printing service.

This is not a course for computer novices.  Students should be familiar with Windows.  Students will be supplied with practice photos. Held at Adult Recreation Center 

Fall      Wednesday                               6:30-8:30                       9/16-10/7

Fee $30.00

Open Lab Sessions

Fall        Friday                          1:00-4:00 PM                             9/18-11/6

Winter     Friday                          1:00-4:00 PM                             1/15-3/05

Fee- FREE