The eLearning Center for Gatlin Education Services

This series is designed for computer users who have limited or no computer experience, and may be used to help prepare for the European Computer Driving Licence Examination, Syllabus Version 4.0. The series of courses provides an overview of computer hardware, storage, software, and security and copyright considerations. This series also provides introductory instruction on using a personal computer and managing files. In addition, it covers using various PC applications including word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, browser, and electronic mail applications. The European Computer Driving Licence (or ECDL) is the registered trade mark of The European Computer Driving Licence Foundation Limited in Ireland and other countries. Presentation of the ECDL logo above, signifies that the courseware material distributed through this website has been developed by MindLeaders and has received the approval of the ECDL Foundation Ltd.

Concepts of Information Technology (IT)
Time: 3.0 hour(s)
Summary:
This course provides an overview of computer hardware and software, networking, and the use of computers in a number of everyday applications.
Objectives:
* Identify various kinds of computers, from mainframes to microcomputers.
* Distinguish between computer hardware and software.
* Identify the main parts of a personal computer.
* Identify the steps in developing a computer-based system.
* List several ways that networking extends the capabilities of a personal computer.
* List several precautions to follow to prevent damage to a computer.
* List several ways to protect data from being corrupted, stolen, or destroyed.
* Distinguish differences among copyrighted software, shareware, and freeware.
Topics:
* Information technology
* Understanding computer types
* Main parts of a personal computer
* Computer performance
* Input and output
* Computer storage devices
* Software
* Types of software
* Systems development
* Networks
* The electronic world
* Health, safety, and environment
* Security
* Copyright and the law

Using the Computer and Managing Files
Time: 5.0 hour(s)
Summary:
This course shows learners how to start, shut down, and restart the computer, display system and desktop information and online help, work with icons and windows, organise files and folders, and edit and print data.
Objectives:
* Start, shut down, and restart a personal computer.
* Display information about the operating system and the desktop.
* Format a diskette.
* Use application help.
* Move and use icons to start programs.
* Identify the parts of an application window.
* Manage folders and files.
* Edit and print data.
Topics:
* Starting and shutting down the PC
* Displaying system information
* Changing the PC''s desktop configuration
* PC setup operations
* Introduction to icons
* Working with desktop icons
* Working with windows
* Using help
* Text editing
* File management
* Working with folders and files
* Deleting and restoring folders and files
* Searching for folders and files
* Compressing files
* Viruses
* Printer setup

Word Processing
Time: 6.0 hour(s)
Summary:
This course shows learners how to use a word processing application to create documents and manipulate and format text. It also shows how to prepare a document for printing, preview and print a document, create tables, import objects, and merge a mailing list with a document. This course describes how to meet European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) objectives using Microsoft Word on a personal computer that uses a Windows operating system. The ECDL test can be taken with any word processing application, and although this course demonstrates a specific application, the tasks it teaches can be applied to other applications as well.
Objectives:
* Start and exit a word processing application.
* Create, save, and close a document.
* Open, revise, and save a document to another file type.
* Use application help.
* Change display settings.
* Use templates.
* Format characters and paragraphs.
* Search and replace text.
* Apply styles.
* Prepare a document for printing.
* Check spelling in a document.
* Preview and print a document.
* Create, manipulate, and format a table.
* Add and manipulate graphics and objects.
* Use a mailing list.
Topics:
* Opening and closing a word processing application and documents
* Saving documents
* Adjusting settings
* Inserting data
* Selecting and editing data
* Copying, moving, and deleting text
* Search and replace
* Formatting text
* Working with text formats
* Working with paragraphs
* Working with lists and borders
* Document formatting
* Headers and footers
* Creating tables
* Working with tables
* Inserting pictures, images, and charts
* Working with pictures, images, and charts
* Mail merge
* Preparing documents for output
* Printing documents

Spreadsheets
Time: 9.0 hour(s)
Summary:
This course shows users how to work with a spreadsheet application to insert and manipulate data. It also shows how to create formulas and functions, format and print a spreadsheet, import objects, and create and adjust charts.This course describes how to meet European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) objectives using Microsoft Word on a personal computer that uses a Windows operating system. The ECDL test can be taken with any word processing application, and although this course demonstrates a specific application, the tasks it teaches can be applied to other applications as well.
Objectives:
* Create and save a spreadsheet.
* Open, revise, and close a spreadsheet.
* Use application help.
* Change display settings.
* Insert, select, copy, move, and delete data.
* Undo and redo actions.
* Search and replace data.
* Sort data.
* Create and copy a formula.
* Use functions such as SUM, AVERAGE, and IF.
* Format data.
* Preview and prepare a spreadsheet for printing.
* Import an object and text file into a spreadsheet.
* Create, adjust, move, and delete a chart.
Topics:
* Opening and closing spreadsheets
* Creating and saving spreadsheets
* Using help
* Adjusting settings
* Cells
* Rows and columns
* Editing data
* Copying data
* Moving and deleting data
* Find and replace
* Sorting data
* Handling worksheets
* Working with formulas
* Cell referencing
* Working with functions
* The IF function
* Formatting numbers and dates
* Formatting cell contents
* Working with alignments and border effects
* Creating charts and graphs
* Editing charts and graphs
* Worksheet setup
* Printing worksheets

Database
Time: 5.0 hour(s)
Summary:
This course shows learners how to work with a database application to create a database; create, use, and change a data entry form; retrieve information; and create reports. This course describes how to meet European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) objectives using Microsoft Word on a personal computer that uses a Windows operating system. The ECDL test can be taken with any word processing application, and although this course demonstrates a specific application, the tasks it teaches can be applied to other applications as well.
Objectives:
* Open and close a database.
* Revise and save records.
* Use application help.
* Create a database.
* Update a database.
* Create, use, and revise a data entry form.
* Create and refine a query.
* Select and sort data.
* Create and edit a report.
Topics:
* Database concepts
* Opening and closing a database application
* Adjusting settings
* Defining table fields
* Finalising tables
* Creating table relationships
* Adding and revising records
* Working with forms
* Searching records
* Filtering and sorting records
* Queries
* Advanced query functions
* Creating reports
* Working with reports
* Printing information

Presentation
Time: 6.0 hour(s)
Summary:
This course shows learners how to work with a presentation application to insert, manipulate, and format text, images, and slides. It also shows how to draw objects and produce charts for a presentation; how to print and distribute a presentation; and how to add special effects to a slide presentation. This course describes how to meet European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) objectives using Microsoft Word on a personal computer that uses a Windows operating system. The ECDL test can be taken with any word processing application, and although this course demonstrates a specific application, the tasks it teaches can be applied to other applications as well.
Objectives:
* Create and save a presentation document.
* Open, revise, and close a presentation document.
* Change display settings.
* Export a presentation document to an application or Web site.
* Create a presentation.
* Add text and an image to a slide.
* Use a master slide.
* Copy, move, and delete text, images, and slides.
* Format a presentation document.
* Draw and change objects in a presentation.
* Create and change graphics and charts.
* Preview and print a presentation document.
* Add special effects and deliver the slide show.
Topics:
* Opening and closing an application and presentations
* Using help
* Adjusting settings
* Presentation views
* Slides and design templates
* The master slide
* Adding and editing text
* Formatting the slide layout
* Inserting images
* Creating charts and graphs
* Creating organizational charts
* Drawing objects
* Editing drawn objects
* Copying, moving, and deleting objects
* Adding slide show effects
* Preparing presentations
* Printing and delivering a presentation

Information and Communication
Time: 6.0 hour(s)
Summary:
This course shows learners how to open a Web browsing application, search for information on the Web, and use electronic mail to send and receive messages. This course describes how to meet European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) objectives using Microsoft Word on a personal computer that uses a Windows operating system. The ECDL test can be taken with any word processing application, and although this course demonstrates a specific application, the tasks it teaches can be applied to other applications as well.
Objectives:
* Create and save a presentation document.
* Open, revise, and close a presentation document.
* Change display settings.
* Export a presentation document to an application or Web site.
* Create a presentation.
* Add text and an image to a slide.
* Use a master slide.
* Copy, move, and delete text, images, and slides.
* Format a presentation document.
* Draw and change objects in a presentation.
* Create and change graphics and charts.
* Preview and print a presentation document.
* Add special effects and deliver the slide show.
Topics:
* Opening and closing an application and presentations
* Using help
* Adjusting settings
* Presentation views
* Slides and design templates
* The master slide
* Adding and editing text
* Formatting the slide layout
* Inserting images
* Creating charts and graphs
* Creating organisational charts
* Drawing objects
* Editing drawn objects
* Copying, moving, and deleting objects
* Adding slide show effects
* Preparing presentations
* Printing and delivering a presentation