Section 3 Computing with confidence

The purpose of this section The purpose of this section is to develop your skills to achieve two goals: 1-Becoming a skilled learner. 2-Learning new softwares.

Becoming a skilled learner: To be a skilled learner, you need to be a confident computer user.

? What is confident computing A confident computer user is one who knows more than just the required key presses to operate the software they are using.

confident computer user should know and practice the followings: a- How to cope when things go wrong. b- How to learn on your own. c- Apply the basic steps in learning new softwares

1- Coping strategies: 1- Act defensive ( save your work often). 2- Look for work-around (check other alternative to perform the task). 3- Check built-in sources of help. 4- Have a network support.

Principles of learning on your own : 1- Don’t be afraid. Try things out and explore. 2-Find difference and similar between ways in which things are done in different softwares. 3- Use your network support.

Basic steps in learning new softwares: 1- Get some general sense of what it is supposed to do by reading the introduction to its manual. 2- Systemically explore its toolbars. Give examples ( like commands for bold, italic & etc..) 3- Systemically explore its menus. Give examples ( like commands on a file menu, edit menu & etc..)

(cont) 4- Look for menu items called preferences or options. 5- Create a new document, or whatever. Then change it around and look to the different formats in which it can be saved. 6- Have a brief look at the built-in help files.

Section 3 Computing with confidence

Overview In this session, we will discuss a generic approach for learning softwares where a basic level of information is presented for developing your skills in word processor, spreadsheet, drawing, painting and database.

Details: 1- Word processor: - Word processors are probably the most commonly used software today. It is used for creating, editing, formatting, storing, retrieving, and printing of a text document

(cont): - Practical experience on word processor ( Microsoft Word): 1- Create a basic document that includes the following: a) Starting and exiting word. b) Saving and closing documents. c) Opening and creating new document. d) Basic printing options.

(cont): 2- Explore some editing options that include the following: a) selecting a text. b) Moving and copying text. c) Becoming familiar with option on formatting toolbar for document formatting. d) Using Find and Replace to change phrases in your document.

2- Spreadsheet: - Spreadsheet software is used to store information in columns and rows which can then be organized and/or processed. - Spreadsheet are often used for calculating, such as totaling a column of numbers or generating a more sophisticated formula to calculate statistical measures on a list of numbers

(cont): -Practical experience on spreadsheet ( Microsoft Excel): 1- Basic terms and definitions that include the following : a)Cell. b) Active cell. c) Block. d) Workbook. e) Constant values. f) Formulas.

(cont): 2- Basic document activities that include the following: a) Moving around in the spreadsheet. b) Marking a block. c) Data entry. d) Editing data. e) Entering formulas. f) Saving the workbook.

Database: - A database is a collection of data which is organized in a manner that can be easily retrieved. They consist of fields, records, and files much like a telephone book

(cont): -- With database software packages, you can: 1- Create and maintain a database ( add, delete, and revise records). 2- Extract and list information that meets certain conditions. 3- Sort records in ascending or descending sequence by key fields. 4- Generate formatted reports with subtotals or totals.

(cont): -Practical experience on database ( Microsoft access): 1-Terms and conditions that include: a) Field. b) Record. c) Table. d) Query. e) Forms. f) Reports. g) Object.

(cont): 2- Designing a Database that includes the following: a) Creating a database. b) Creating multiple tables. c) Defining the relationship (setting the primary key). d) Viewing datasheet. e) Defining a query. f) Creating reports.

4- Graphic software: - Graphic software is used for two reasons: a) To view and analyze data. b) To make a positive impression during the presentation.

(cont): - There are two main types of graphic software: - Paint Graphic like windows paint in which the image is made up of tiny colored dots like an image on television screen. Such images are called bitmaps. - Draw graphic like CorelDraw in which the image is made up of lines, rectangles or round shapes.

(cont): - Practical experience on graphic software ( Microsoft paint): a) Drawing a basic object. b) Painting the object. c) Adding text into the object. d) Moving the object ( stretching, rotating and etc…).