Lesson Structure

There are 13 lessons in this course:

1. Hardware Components
   • Introduction
   • Input devices – keyboard, mouse, trackball, trackpad, microphone, webcam, touchscreen, digitizer, scanner, optical reader, OMR
   • Output devices – displays, printers, plotters, audio speakers, speech synthesiser, GPS
   • Storage devices
   • Memory types – RAM, ROM, CMOS
   • Central Processing Unit (CPU)
   • Microprocessor and motherboard architecture
   • Processor sockets, Zero insertion force, Dynamic ram, Cache memory
   • Bus type
   • BIOS
   • Memory capacity
   • Built in interfaces, Input/Output (I/O)
   • Computer terminology
2. Peripherals
   • Introduction
   • Peripheral devices
   • Mouse and keyboard
   • Modems
   • Printers
   • Monitors
   • Removeable storage devices
   • Scanners
3. Operating Systems
   • Introduction
   • What are operating systems
   • Types of operating systems - batch, multitasking, real time, distributed, network, server, mobile
   • Background
   • Start up
   • Formatting
   • File types
   • Comparisons – versions of windows
   • Software applications
4. Files, Folders & Data
   • Managing data
   • Data storage and cloud
   • Smartphones and tablets – the ‘app’ concept
   • Metadata and searching
   • Data management in Windows
   • Windows metro
   • Windows desktop: file explorer
   • Directory tree structure
   • Files
   • Basic file/ folder manipulator
   • Making different selections
   • Drag and drop
   • Using a shortcut menu
5. Office Applications
   • Accessing tools and commands
   • The ribbon
   • Saving files and documents
   • Where to save files
   • Common tasks and short cuts
   • Multiple applications, multiple users
   • Working collaboratively
6. Windows Accessories & Programs
   • Introduction
   • The changing workplace
   • Paid vs free
   • Single payment vs. subscription
   • Windows built in software
   • Selecting office software
   • Word processing, spreadsheets, data bases, desktop publishing
   • Communications and scheduling
   • Email programs
   • Calendars and project management
7. Disk Management
   • Disk properties
   • Managing hard disks
   • Formatting a storage device
   • System tools
   • Disk fragmentation
   • Back ups
8. Installation Of Software
   • The gold rules
   • Installing software and device drivers
   • Boot disks
   • Device drivers
   • Technical support
   • Using manuals
9. Trouble Shooting
   • Introduction
   • Determining what caused an error
   • Power on self-test
   • Hard disk problems
   • Defragmentation
   • Bugs and viruses
   • Motherboard battery
   • Logical approach to trouble shooting
   • Computer stress syndrome – causes, technical failures, not investing enough in upgrades and repairs, etc
   • Handling computer stress
10. Word Processing
    • Introduction – open office, libre office
    • Forms and templates
    • Create a document from a template
    • Filling in details
    • Replace wizard text
    • Styles
    • Create template for standard documents
    • Tables
    • Mail merge
11. Spreadsheets and MS Excel
    • Introduction
    • Using excel
    • Absolute and relative references
    • Using Formulae
    • Display and presentation
    • Charts and other tools
12. Databases and Microsoft Access
    • What is a database
    • DBMS
    • Microsoft access
    • MS Access database structure
    • Creating a simple database
    • Working with forms
13. Microsoft PowerPoint
    • Introduction
    • Creating presentations using templates
    • Key concepts in PowerPoint
    • Layout
    • Content
    • Slide views
    • Animation and backgrounds
    • Viewing your presentation
    • The slide master
    • Background styling
    • Create a structured presentation

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims

• Identify different hardware components of a computer system
• Identify peripherals for a computer system
• Develop a generic (general) understanding of common computer operating systems.
• Develop a deeper understanding of file and data management in Microsoft Windows.
• Discuss basic functions in commonly used office applications.
• Describe common Windows accessories programs.
• Describe techniques used in computer Disk Management.
• Develop skills to install different software programs into computer systems, in accordance with manuals.
• Develop knowledge to determine the cause of common problems which occur with computer systems.
• Determine key concepts to how to use MS Word, Excell, Access and PowerPoint.

WHAT YOU WILL DO IN THIS COURSE

Below are some activities you will do in this course:

• Explain the role of the motherboard and the CPU in a computer system.
• Briefly, describe the evolution computer systems, starting from the first IBM PC through to the most currently generally available systems available today. Make special reference to changes that you deem to be 'significant' leaps in this evolutionary process.
• Name five things that the motherboard is responsible for supporting.
• Explain how modems measured in terms of performance.
• Compare three different types of printers (i.e. inkjet, laser and dot matrix) and explain how they differ in the ways that they produce a printed page.
• Define the following computer terms: screensaver, wallpaper, device driver, sound card
• Discuss ‘Briefcase’, when might you use this feature, and how a brief case can be added to your desktop.
• List the advantages and disadvantages of having several windows open at the same time and describe two situations that either illustrates advantages and/or difficulties than might be encountered when you work with more than one window open.
• In order to install or set up a new printer, write down what you would click on or type for each step and what would happen when that was done on the computer.
• Choose a software program (different to your set task) of your choice and write about the steps involved with its installation onto a hard drive.
• You are trying to run a DOS program, and you get an Insufficient Expanded
• Memory error message in a DOS window. If expanded memory on your computer is set to Auto, how can you correct this problem? 
• A computer stopped working after a violent electrical storm so the customer stopped using it for a year, he has finally brought it to you to look at because the keyboard isn't working and it will not boot. List the steps you would take to determine what is wrong with it and write what your opinion of what is damaged.

What Are the Advantages of Studying with ACS Distance Education?

• You can start at any time to suit you.
• The courses are self-paced.
• You can study when and where suits you. They are flexible to fit in around you and your lifestyle.
• Keep up to date on your learning.
• Update your CV.
• It is not just a course, it is a package of learning that includes – course notes, tutor feedback, self-assessment tests, research tasks and assignments.
• Our tutors are all experts in their field, with years of experience in their field.
• They are also keen and enthusiastic about their subject and enjoy working with students to improve their knowledge and skills.
• Courses are also updated regularly to meet the demands of the changing needs for knowledge and to keep our courses up to date.

What Next?

Do You Understand Why Computer Data Can Disappear or Become Corrupted?

Possibly the biggest threat to computer software is a virus. Viruses are small computer programs that are run accidentally, usually without the user being aware. They sometimes copy themselves to any disk that is put in the computer and after a certain period of time they may activate and cause unexpected results. They can have effects from the annoying caterpillar that crawls across the screen to extremely dangerous viruses that can cause damage to the data on your hard disk or the memory in your printer.

Software viruses are mini programs that duplicate themselves and attach their replicas to other programs and documents, much in the way a biological virus multiplies. Some viruses are harmless, and others can destroy years of work in seconds. Effectively viruses can be classified within two categories: Worms and Trojan Horses.

If you would like to learn more like this and more about computer operations, this is the course for you.

You don’t have to be an expert in computers to study this course. The course is intended for people who do not know much about computers but want to know more.

Become proficient and knowledgeable about computers. A great first course for anyone wanting to go on to be a computer expert.

You can enrol today by clicking the “Enrol Now” button above.

Or

Click here to ask a Question

Or Request a Prospectus Here.