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Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software

Kenneth W T Leung

In this course, you will learn the following essential computer skills for the digital age:

Major hardware components of a computer system

Different types of software on a computer system

Photo Editing using GIMP

Word processing applications, including MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint

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What's inside

Syllabus

Computer Hardware

Computer Software

Application Software: a presentation

What You See Is What You Get

ANALYSIS AND STORAGE OF DATA USING SPREADSHEET

Computer Graphics

Final Exam

Capstone Project

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Suitable for absolute beginners looking to acquire basic computer skills

Covers essential computer skills for personal and professional use

Provides hands-on experience with industry-standard software like GIMP, MS Word, Excel, and PowerPoint

May not be suitable for learners with prior experience in computer skills

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Reviews summary

Computer productivity skills for the modern age

Students say this is a largely positive course that offers a brief overview of computers, Microsoft Office, and computer graphic design. Engaging assignments give you a chance to apply learned skills. Some learners struggled with difficult exams and felt the course was rushed. Overall, the course is useful for beginners who want to learn the basics of computer and office productivity software.

The course keeps students active with lots of homework and assignments.

"Great course! It gives you all the information you need in a clear and accesible way and the homework help you applying what you learn to practice"

"Hands on projects were informative when using learned skills and gave me a chance to use the information that I learned."

The course covers a lot of ground, but some topics are rushed.

"Great course and content although I wished it could be longer with another week or two of coverage"

"It was a pleasure to learn this course. I'm health care personnel but this course have strengthened the level of my computer knowledge in more productive way . I have truly excited on how to create a survey,"

"Although I have gone through a lot of assignments using those productivity software, I still get interesting ideas from the course itself."

Students value this course for the wide array of topics it covers.

"This course gives an intro to computer, word, powerpoint, excel, Graphics and basic intro on how to use GIMP tools"

"Great and valuable knowledge to perform on job. The instruction was very thorough and practical..."

"I have learned many useful skills and acquainted many applications which I don't ever used before such as GIMP, Befunky, etc. from this course."

The instructor is clear and knowledgeable, making the course easy to follow.

"This course is nicely designed, user friendly, and so interesting to be followed.Thank you so much, Mr Kenneth, the HKU of Science and Technology and Commonwealth of Learning for the given opportunity."

"I'm health care personnel but this course have strengthened the level of my computer knowledge in more productive way . I have truly excited on how to create a survey, this was awesome and I'll truly apply in my daily basis work.Thank you"

"The lecturer Mr. Kenneth W T Leung was very clear and precise in all of the videos and reading material. I must commend him for the knowledge this course has equipped me with."

The course can be somewhat challenging for complete beginners.

"Some of the questions were out of the syllabus provided"

"This Course was sooo easy to follow & understand... I truly appreciate this course and all it offered along with the written notes."

"It was a little difficult but who doesn't love a challenge"

"overall its amazing course but only issue is its some of the questions were out of the syllabus "

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software with these activities:

Review basic math and algebra

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Reviewing basic math and algebra can help you refresh your skills and prepare for the course.

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Find online resources or textbooks on basic math and algebra
Review the material
Practice solving problems

Review previous computer science courses

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Reviewing previous computer science courses can help you refresh your knowledge and prepare for the course.

Browse courses on Computer Science

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Find your old course notes and textbooks
Review the material
Practice solving problems

Attend computer science club meetings

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Attending computer science club meetings can help you connect with other students who are interested in computer science and learn from their experiences.

Browse courses on Computer Science

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Find a computer science club at your school or in your community
Attend the club meetings
Participate in club activities

Five other activities

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Show all eight activities

Create a glossary of computer science terms

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Creating a glossary of computer science terms can help you learn and remember new terms.

Browse courses on Computer Science

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Find a list of computer science terms
Define the terms in your own words
Create flashcards or a notebook to help you memorize the terms

Follow tutorials on GIMP

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Following tutorials on GIMP can help you learn the basics of photo editing and image manipulation.

Browse courses on Photo Editing

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Find tutorials on GIMP
Follow the steps in the tutorials
Practice using GIMP on your own images

Practice using MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint

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Practicing using MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint can help you improve your proficiency in these applications.

Browse courses on Word Processing

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Find practice exercises online or in textbooks
Complete the practice exercises
Use MS Word, MS Excel, and MS PowerPoint to create your own documents, spreadsheets, and presentations

Create a computer build

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Building a computer can greatly improve your understanding of the hardware components of a computer system and how they work together.

Browse courses on Computer Hardware

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Research and select computer components
Assemble the computer
Install the operating system and drivers
Test the computer

Create a presentation on a computer science topic

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Creating a presentation on a computer science topic can help you deepen your understanding of the topic and improve your presentation skills.

Browse courses on Computer Science

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Choose a computer science topic
Research the topic
Create a presentation outline
Develop the presentation slides
Practice your presentation

Career center

Learners who complete Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Computer Software Engineer

Computer Software Engineers design, develop, and test computer software. They may work for software companies, businesses, or other organizations that use computers. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Software Engineer

Network Administrator

Network Administrators design, implement, and maintain computer networks. They may work for businesses, government agencies, or other organizations that use computers. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Network Administrator

Information Security Analyst

Information Security Analysts design, implement, and maintain information security systems. They may work for businesses, government agencies, or other organizations that use computers. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Computer Hardware Engineer

Computer Hardware Engineers design, develop, and test computer hardware. They may work for computer manufacturers, software companies, or other organizations that use computers. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Hardware Engineer

Systems Administrator

Systems Administrators design, implement, and maintain computer systems. They may work for businesses, government agencies, or other organizations that use computers. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Administrator

Computer Systems Analyst

Computer Systems Analysts design, implement, and maintain computer systems. They may work for businesses, government agencies, or other organizations that use computers. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Systems Analyst

Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Software Quality Assurance Analysts test and evaluate software to ensure that it meets quality standards. They may work for software companies, businesses, or other organizations that use software. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Quality Assurance Analyst

Programmer

Programmers write, test, and maintain computer programs. They may work for software companies, businesses, or other organizations that use computers. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software.

See salaries and explore the career path for Programmer

Web Developer

Web Developers design, create, and maintain websites. They may work for web development companies, businesses, or other organizations that have a website. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software, as well as training in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

See salaries and explore the career path for Web Developer

Computer Support Specialist

Computer Support Specialists provide technical assistance to computer users. They may work in a variety of settings, including businesses, schools, and government agencies. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software, as well as training in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Support Specialist

Database Administrator

Database Administrators design, implement, and maintain databases. They may work for businesses, government agencies, or other organizations that use databases. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software, as well as training in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Multimedia Artist

Multimedia Artists create digital content, such as images, animations, and videos. They may work for film and video production companies, advertising agencies, or other organizations that create digital content. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software, as well as training in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

See salaries and explore the career path for Multimedia Artist

Technical Writer

Technical Writers create and edit technical documentation, such as user manuals, training materials, and marketing materials. They may work for software companies, businesses, or other organizations that create or use technical products. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software, as well as training in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer

Graphic designer

Graphic Designers create visual concepts, using computer software or by hand, to communicate ideas that inspire, inform, and captivate consumers. They may work for advertising agencies, marketing firms, or other organizations that need visual content. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software, as well as training in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

See salaries and explore the career path for Graphic designer

Desktop Publisher

Desktop Publishers design and create printed materials, such as brochures, flyers, and newsletters. They may work for printing companies, businesses, or other organizations that create printed materials. The course Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software may be helpful for this career role, as it provides an overview of computer hardware and software, as well as training in Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

See salaries and explore the career path for Desktop Publisher

Reading list

We've selected 14 books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software.

Computer Architecture

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Provides a comprehensive overview of computer architecture, covering the fundamentals of computer organization and design. It is particularly useful for readers who want to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying principles of computer systems.

Introduction to Computers and Office Productivity Software

What's inside

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Reviews summary

Computer productivity skills for the modern age

Activities

Career center

Reading list

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