Palatine SeniorNet Learning Center

-COURSE DESCRIPTIONS-

Note: Not all courses are offered during all sessions.

Click the name of the course of interest, or scroll down using the scroll bar.

Artistry with a Mouse,  Calendar Creator,  Computer Basics, Computers, Introduction to,

Database Using MS Works Suite,  Digital Cameras, Intro to,

Digital Photographic Imaging  (Adobe PhotoShop Elements 2),  Using E-mail,

Family Tree Maker/Genealogy,  Genealogy, See Family Tree….,  Going Online, 

Graphic Fun with MS Word,  HTML – A Hands-on Guide,  Internet using Netscape browser, 

Picture It Photo 7.0,  Power Point,  Print Artist,  Quicken,  Scanning, Introduction to,

  Spreadsheet Using MS Works Suite,  Spreadsheets, Using Excel,  Tax, Turbo,

  Windows XP (Win 98 & ME),  Word Processing Using MS Word

Artistry with a Mouse

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers

Discover the joy of making everything in Paint and Microsoft Word without added software.  Paint a picture, greeting cards, invitations, posters, import graphics, family newsletters, cross stitch and, best of all, use Paint to edit images.  Do a collage or panorama in Word.  We will copy or you can draw your own picture.

Calendar Creator

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers

Learn how to create and print your own calendar using the following features: Track repeated events for days, months and years and indicate any exceptions to the pattern. Import holidays and other preset events into your calendar. Sort and categorize events in a variety of ways. Access thousands of clip art pictures and photographs for illuminating your calendars. 

Computer Basics

Do computers intimidate you?  This class is for people unfamiliar with desktop PC’s and their special keyboard keys and for students inexperienced with a mouse. Master your dexterity using the mouse and the computer keyboard with its unique keys.  The class will fully prepare you for The Introduction to Computers class.

Introduction to Computers

You will be introduced to the “language” of computer users - learn hardware, software, and other PC terminology and gain proficiency in the procedures for safe computing. This vital overview of  Windows XP and Microsoft™ Works Suite 2003 will introduce you to word processing, spreadsheets, database, and online communications.

Database Using MS Works Suite

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers  & Word Processing

Store names, addresses, telephone numbers, birthdays, recipes or any other collection worth saving.  Create an organized  information system designed to fit your personal needs.  Search your information or retrieve it as tables or lists.  Transfer and use your information for use in other programs.

Intro to Digital Cameras

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers

This introductory course is for the amateur photographer who is a new or soon to be a new digital camera owner.  It will cover digital camera terminology, moving pictures from the camera to the computer, using two different software editing packages, and printing your images.  Hands on exercises will show how easy it is to get started removing red eye, cropping pictures and resizing them for printing.

Photo Elements 2.0/1.0 Adventures

·        Prerequisite:  SeniorNet Word Processing and/or Digital Photo Imaging

·        Prerequisite:  Must own Adobe Photoshop Elements 2.0 or 1.0

A “digital” darkroom in your computer!  Import photos from your camera, scan images, restore valued gfamily photos, crop and retouch, eliminate “red eye” and make other corrections.  The course provides an introduction to ”Photoshop Tutorials”.  A series of hands-on exercises will prepare you to enhance photos by correcting exposures, electronic “fill flash”, modifying images, correcting color balance, photo-merge and panoramas, using filters/effects and using layers.

Using E-Mail

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers

Using Outlook Express, learn the basic features of e-mail: how to send attachments, create an address book, Hot Mail, send instant messages and “chat” on line.  We also cover Internet security, privacy, viruses, cookies, “netiquette” rules, emoticons and abbreviations.  In other words “All you ever wanted to know about e-mail but were afraid to ask.

Family Tree Maker/Genealogy

·        Prerequisite: Intro to Computers & Word Processing

Create your own family tree/genealogy database while storing your family history.  A record of family situation, from names and birth dates to priceless family stories and  pictures can be created.  After gathering information of your family’s background, Family Tree Maker can generate many wonderful family documents.

Going Online

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers

Learn to access America Online and other online services.  Send and receive e-mail.  Go online with SeniorNet Online where members meet and chat with others on a wide range of topics. Practice searching the Internet for resources and “uploading” and “downloading information”.

Graphic Fun with MS Word

·        Prerequisite: Intro to Computers & Word Processing

This course is designed as a follow-up to Microsoft Word.  We will explore and learn to use the toolbars for Word Art, Drawing, Clip Art and Tables and Borders to make greeting cards, brochures, newsletters and more.

HTML – A Hands-On Guide

·        Prerequisite: Intro to Computers, Going On-Line, Netscape/Internet and Word Processing

HTML is the “Source Code”, the language form needed by “browsers” to read and display Web pages.  This TYPING INTENSIVE class explores tags, lists, linking pages, and the ways to add color, tables, and frames.  The student will be able to create his or her own web page at the end of the course.  The best page will be displayed on a Learning Center Web page.

Netscape/Internet

·        Prerequisite: Intro to Computers,  Going Online (AOL)

Netscape is a browser with a friendly, window-like appearance necessary to view information on the Internet. You will learn to use the features of this browser as you roam the Internet’s vast storehouse

of information.  In addition, you will touch on the multimedia aspects on Netscape so you can find artwork, maps, photos and music.

Picture It photo 7.0

·        Prerequisite: Intro to Computers

Learn how to get pictures from digital cameras, scanners, photodisk CD's and web sites.  Adjust brightness, contrast, tint and sharpness.  Remove red eye and use cutout shapes, borders, frames and edges.  Add text, lines and shapes to your pictures.  Create cards and calendars.

Power Point

·        Prerequisite: Intro to Computers & Word Processing

Organize computer “slide shows” for family, friends, business or volunteer activities.  Insert clip art, photos, sounds, and even video clips.  Communicate your ideas to groups.  Make computer presentations dramatic and colorful.

Print Artist

·        Prerequisite: Intro to Computers

Learn to use Print Artist 15 to make pre-designed and original greeting cards, modify signs, customize calendars, develop scrapbooks and albums, formal newsletters, create bookmarks and gift tags and more!

Quicken

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers & Word Processing

Note: Because of data entry, keyboard knowledge is essential

Quicken  will help you manage your household accounting or that of your business. You will learn how to create reports to monitor your budget, summarize tax records.

Introduction to Scanning

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers

Learn the basics of scanning, touching up photos, cropping, fixing “red-eye”, rotating photos, removing objects and using cutout shapes. A must for all creative projects! A great “lead-in” to the Digital Imaging course!

Spreadsheet Using MS Works Suite

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers & Word Processing

A powerful tool for managing business or personal financial data. Create budgets, follow investments, do cost estimates for jobs or repairs, balance the checkbook, prepare tax returns. Allow your computer to do the calculating for you. 

MS Excel

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers & Word Processing

A powerful tool for managing business or personal financial data!  Create budgets, follow investments, do cost estimates for jobs or repairs, balance the checkbook, prepare tax returns.  Allow your computer to do the calculating for you.

  Turbo Tax

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers

Students will use hypothetical taxpayer to organize and enter data and print a return. Course will compare the use of EasyStep Interview Questionnaire with entering data in the actual online forms.

  This course will not provide specific tax advice; specific tax questions should be referred to a qualified tax advisor.

Windows XP (Win 98 & ME)

·        Prerequisite:  Intro to Computers & Word Processing

Covering the ins and outs of the Windows XP operating system, you will learn how to work with programs, files & disks; how to customize Windows XP for your compute; and how to organize your files.  This class will also benefit Windows ME & 98 users, as much is similar.

Word Processing Using MS Word

·        Prerequisite: Intro to Computers

Write memos, letters and articles. Make changes as you go along by adding, moving or deleting words or phrases. Rearrange your document to suit you. Check spelling and grammar and choose the right word in the thesaurus. Save the document in a variety of forms for reference before you print.