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 4.5.

1. Concepts of Information Technology (IT)
Time: 4 hours
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, including input and output devices
• Describe what the computer's central processing unit does
• Distinguish between read-only and random access memory
• List several ways that networking extends the capabilities of a personal computer
• List several ways computers are used in the home, at work, and in the community
• 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
• Starting and stopping a computer
• Operating system
• Resolving problems
• System setup and properties
• The electronic world
• Health, safety, and environment
• Security
• Copyright and the law

2. Using the Computer and Managing Files
Time: 5 hours
This course provides an overview of common computer functions, operating systems, and applications.
Objectives

• Set up and use a workstation safely
• 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
• Display the computer's directory tree
• Manage folders and files
• Find folders and files
• Edit and print data

Topics

• Setting up a workstation
• 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

3. Word Processing
Time: 7 hours
This course shows you 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.
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

4. Spreadsheets
Time: 10 hours
This course shows you 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.
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 alignment and border effects
• Creating charts and graphs
• Editing charts and graphs
• Worksheet setup
• Printing worksheets

5. Databases
Time: 5 hours
This course shows you how to work with a database application to create a database; create, use, and change a data entry form; retrieve information; and create reports.
Objectives

• Start and exit from a database application
• Open and close a database
• Revise and save records
• Use application help
• Adjust settings
• Create a database
• Update a database
• Create, use, and revise a data entry form
• Create and refine a query
• Filter and sort data
• Create and edit a report

6. Presentations
Time: 6 hours
This course shows you 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.
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

7. Information and Communication
Time: 7 hours
This course shows you how to open a Web browsing application, search for information on the Web, and use electronic mail to send and receive messages.
Objectives

• Open and close a Web browsing application
• Display a Web page
• Search the Web for information and navigate among pages
• Open and close an electronic mail application
• Create and send a message
• Use an address book
• Use a distribution list
• Receive and save a message
• Reply to or forward a message

Topics

• Internet concepts
• Security considerations
• Using a Web browser
• Adjusting settings
• Accessing Web pages
• Using bookmarks
• Using a search engine
• Printing Web pages
• E-mail concepts and security considerations
• Opening and closing an e-mail application
• Using help
• Adjusting settings
• Reading mail messages
• Replying to mail messages
• Sending mail messages
• Advanced messaging options
• Copying, moving, and deleting messages
• Mail management techniques
• Using address books
• Organising messages
• Printing messages