Description of Classes and Workshops
See the schedule of classes/workshops if you want to sign up.
The followingare classes that will meet one day a week for 4 weeks.
Typing/Keyboarding: The more accurate and faster you are at the keyboard, the less laboring your time will be on your computer. This course is highly recommended for those students who have never learned to type or would like to refresh their skills. Developing typing skills will greatly increase the enjoyment of working on your computer. Typing training begins with the Instructor leading students through touch typing techniques and step by step exercises that will lead to fluent typing. A CD and manual are provided so students can practice at home at their own speed.
Windows 10 Basics: A home computer is not required to enroll in this course, however, having a computer is highly recommended as it will greatly enhance your ability to practice the skills learned in the classroom. Topics that will be covered include: parts of the computer, review of mouse usage, turn computer on/off, taskbar, start menu, desktop icons. WordPad will be used to give the student basics of word processing: tabs/groups, cut/paste/copy, formatting, backspace/delete, selecting text, printing, save/save as. Introduction to Internet and email will be included.
Windows 10 Level 1: A Windows Level 1 course is a pre-requisite to all advanced Windows courses offered. Students should have a proficiency of the keyboard, mouse skills, and reasonable computer knowledge to register for this course. Students will learn how to navigate through Windows 10, learn use of start menu and tiles, change basic settings, use File Explorer to organize files and folders; use flash drives. The new Microsoft Edge browser will be covered (favorites, reading list, setting start pages). Email choices available in Windows 10 will be discussed (Mail, webmail, Windows Live Mail).Pre-requisite: Windows 10 Basics.
Microsoft Word 2010: Software programs that are called word processing programs enable you to type letters, stories, reports, newsletters and other documents. Word processing is an important function of computers. Almost every document you prepare will require a word processing program. This course is a good starting place for you to learn what a word processing program on your computer can do for you. In this class you will be using Word 2010.Pre-requisite:Windows 10 Level 1.
The followingare workshopsthat will meet for two hours one day only.
Android Phone: This seminar will cover how to use features on Android phones. Features will include accessing the Internet and email, installing apps, using the camera, sending pictures from the camera, using calendar, alarm clock, how to connect to WiFi networks. Students should bring their own Android phone.
Dropbox: Having trouble sending files? Or don’t have enough space in your computer to keep your files, pictures and memories? Well there’s an app to help you with that. Dropbox is an app where you can save files, pictures, and videos in a cloud, where you can access them at anytime you want. Also can share the files, pictures and videos to friends and family.
Editing Photos: This workshop will introduce the student to the basics of using the Windows 10 Photo app to edit photos. Some features in the Photo app are enhancing color, adding filters, and red eye and blemish removal.
Facebook: This workshop will introduce the student to the basics of using Facebook to communicate with family and friends. Topics to be covered: setting up a Facebook account, finding friends, posting messages, uploading pictures. Students will need a Facebook account. Students who do not already have an account will set up an account at the beginning of the workshop.
File Management Workshop: This workshop introduces basic ways to set up, organize and manage files on your computer. It is appropriate for users of all Windows systems. This is a hands-on workshop and students will use the Windows 10 operating system.
Flash Drives: This workshop will cover installing flash drives, identifying your flash drives, loading information and photos, using information stored on flash drives, and safe removal from computer.
Google Drive:This workshop will teach students how to use Google Drive for cloud photo storage, and Google Docs for creating text documents, along with how to access them from any device.
Improving Your Email Skills: Students have been especially excited after learning how to more efficiently email their friends and family. This workshop demonstrates various Email Programs to illustrate: Adding graphics and photos; attaching documents and files; setting up individual contacts and creating group contacts; backing up contact lists; establishing email settings to help prevent spam, adware, malware, junk mail and phishing. Other interesting features that students learn are how to organize email into special folders, flag important email for easy following and how to use a great calendar to record and follow important events.Pre-requisite: Basic Computer Email Skills.
Internet Workshop (Internet Tips from Happy Clicking):Students will receive an overview of the Internet and how to navigate on the Web securely as well as an introduction to the many features of Google. You will also learn how to download programs, photos and files from the Internet. In this course your instructor always includes a number of tips and tricks as well as how to download and personalize pages from the web. You will learn how to access many useful and informative websites.
Introduction to Computers: The purpose of this workshop is to prepare students for other computer classes. No prior knowledge is required for this workshop. Topics to be covered: turn on/off computer; mouse usage (left and right buttons); cut/copy/paste using WordPad; files/folders (create, save, delete).
Introduction to Excel: This will be a hands-on workshop teaching the basics of using Excel. The student will learn how to use the ribbon, formatting the spreadsheet, simple formulas, and saving the spreadsheet.
Introduction to PowerPoint: This workshop covers an introduction to PowerPoint, a very well-used and important way of instructing. It can be used for club meetings, church groups, or anytime you may be giving instructions to a group.
Instagram: In this workshop the student will be introduced to Instagram. And cover the basics such as downloading the app, setting up an account, posting photos/videos, following friends and family, and sending messages (Direct messages or a “DM”). Students will need to bring their phone (iPhone or Android).
iPad Basics: This workshop is a basic introduction to the Apple iPad. The student will learn parts of the iPad, how to use gestures to control the iPad; use apps such as Camera, Clock, Maps, Mail, Safari, iTunes; how to join a WiFi network. This is a hands-on workshop and students will need to bring their own iPad.
iPad Beyond the Basics:The class will discuss what users need to know about how the iPad operates and how to manage the iPad with the intention of helping the students avoid frustrations with using the fun stuff on the iPad. The class will include an introduction to the basic concepts behind an iPad and will walk the students through the Settings window with special emphasis on memory management, security and privacy. Questions will be encouraged throughout the class.This is a hands-on workshop and students will need to bring their own iPad.
iPhone: This workshop will cover how to use features on the iPhone. Features will include accessing the Internet and email, installing apps, using the camera, sending pictures from the camera, using calendar, alarm clock, how to connect to WiFi networks. Students should bring their own iPhone.
iTunes: This workshop will cover purchasing and downloading iTunes music, syncing iTunes music to an iPhone and iPod Touch, playing music through an automobile’s audio system.
Maintaining Computer Workshop: This workshop will cover the tasks that need to be done routinely to keep your computer running efficiently. These tasks are disk cleanup, disk check, disk defragmenter, malware/spyware scans, virus scans. This is a hands-on workshop and students will use the Windows 10 operating system.
Managing Photos Workshop: This workshop will address how to transfer pictures from your camera to your computer, how to organize the pictures into folders, and how to back up the pictures to a flash drive. This is a hands-on workshop and students will use the Windows 10 operating system.
One Care Workshop: One Care is St. Vincent’s Patient Portal. If you are a patient of any doctor associated with St. Vincent’s, this is the program you use to send email to your doctor, view your test results, and view scheduled appointments. The workshop will cover how to navigate through the options available with this program. If you are not already registered to use the program, you will do this in the workshop. If you are registered, bring your user name and password.
One on One Help: Need help on a topic that no workshop/class is offered? You can register for help on a topic of your choice. You will be matched with a staff member that can provide you with one on one help with that topic. You bring your questions to the session. Register for this workshop by email () or call Dot Brumley (501-844-6473) and specify the topic.
Paint: Microsoft Paint is a fun program for children (or adults) to learn to paint on the computer. This is a hands-on workshop and students will use the Windows 10 operating system.
Pinterest: This workshop will introduce the basics of Pinterest. Pinterest is an on-line pinboard for saving and sharing things (recipes, craft ideas, vacation spots, books of interest, etc.) that interest you. Friends can "follow" your boards and you can "pin" things that interest you from other people's boards. Setting up the student’s account and the basic knowledge of using Pinterest will be addressed. This will be a hands-on class and students will use the classroom computers.Students will need a Pinterest account. Students who do not already have an account will set up an account at the beginning of the workshop.
Tips from John "Happy Clicking" McFerrin:John McFerrin, the former "Happy Clicking" columnist in the Sentinel Record, will have a workshop most every month. These workshops will be tips that he has to offer. There will be plenty of time in the workshop for your questions.
TV Without Cable or Satellite: Find out how to connect your TV through the Internet instead of using Cable or Satellite. What subscriptions are needed for movies, sports? What is Roku, Sling, Hulu?
Using eReaders: This seminar will cover Kindle, Nook, and Android eReaders to access ebooks and audio books from the Garland County Library. Topics to be covered: instruction on how to download books; how to find out what books are available, how long books can be kept, how to purchase books from Amazon or Barnes & Nobles. Students should bring their own reader to class.
Windows 10 Backup/Recovery: The objective of the class will be to familiarize attendees with the multiple backup functions which Windows 10 offers. Basic terminology will be explained with the multiple options for both preserving personal data and computer operating and program files. Alternative methods of backing up both system and personal data will be explained and attendees given the opportunity to ask questions. The primary alternatives to be discussed are: backup to a cloud service and backup to either external or internal disk drives and/or DVD's.
WordPad: This will be a hands-on workshop teaching the basics of using WordPad, the free word processing program that included with Windows. The student will learn how to use the ribbon, format a document, cut/paste, and save a document.
YouTube: This seminar will teach the student search techniques to find Entertainment and How To Instructional videos that have been posted on YouTube.