Getting Started with IT

Getting Started with IT
This is a six hour course designed to help get you started with your IT training. An initial questionnaire will check your present computer 'knowhow' and then with the help of the tutor you will put together a personalised learning plan that will get you started on learning new skills.

What does the course involve?
The course is very flexible and will be tailored to your individual needs (after the compulsory units have been covered). The resources are all available online and can be accessed by the student as required. There are plenty of chances to practice the new skills and links to follow to websites to give you more information on a variety of subjects. These links can be written down or emailed to your home computer to allow you to access web resources at home. The learning takes place either in the open learning sessions with a tutor on hand to help as required or within a classroom envionment for the taught sessions.

What will I study?
Skills Check and Learning Plan The first step is to work through a questionnaire that asks about your present knowledge and skills and whether you wish to learn those skills. From that a learning plan is put together by you and the tutor.

Learning the Skills The course has lots of resources aimed at those that are new to computers, those with limited computer skills, those returning to computers after a long break and those who have used the computer a little and are not sure what level they are.

Resources All the resources are available online i.e. you (with the help of the tutor where needed) will select your resources from a large variety available ensuring that you are working with resources that are most suitable to your needs.

Compulsory Subjects Computer Health and Safety and File Management are both subjects that need to be covered by all students. If you already have a good awareness/skills level in either one or both of these, then you will just need to take the final skills check in each of these areas.

Other Subjects Other subjects that can be studied in this course include Using the Mouse, Using the Keyboard, Using Word, Using the Internet, Using Help and touch-typing.

What are the entry requirements for Getting Started with IT?

• There are no entry requirements.

How is the course assessed?

• There is no assessment for this course

Frequently Asked Questions
I am a total beginner - will I be able to do this course?
Yes. There are resources available to get you started on using the mouse and the keyboard, the two important parts of the computer that you need to be able to use. Don't worry, there will be a tutor there to help you get started and to help as you go along.

I am not a total beginner - I have some computer experience - is this course for me?
Yes. Although there are resources available for those that have never used a mouse or keybaord, there are many other resources available to develop skills you already have. The course is designed to help assess what level skills you have so that we can advise you how to continue developing and building upon those skills.

I have been using the computer for a long time - is this the course for me?
Depends. If you have used the computer in a limited way (eg. just for the internet) then you will find this course useful to start exploring other functions of the computer. The course will also help inform us of your level so that we can advise which course will be most suited to you if you want to progress onto another computer course.

Can I only study for 6 hours on this course and can I enrol again after I finish?
Unfortunately we have been given special funding for this course which is one-off funding per student. Therefore we can only offer 6 hours of learning (excluding the 1 hour induction onto the course for open learning) and you can only do the course once. We hope that once you have completed this course you will feel more confident and able to enrol on one of the other It courses we offer either in open learning or taught classes.

What is open learning?
Open learning is a method of learning that we offer that gives you more flexibility in when you attend college. We have a mix of sessions run both at the Castle (Cirencester) and Tetbury centres and you can attend at times to suit you and your other committments. You can attend as many times per week and as long as you like per session up to your 6 hours of learning. Please click on the open learning link for more information.

Will I be able to work at home?
The resource we are using for this course is split into two types - our own exercises and workseets and links to websites that offer information, tutorials and practice exercises. We will be able to supply you with the weblinks to use at home and any work that you have started at college you will be able to save and continue with at home.

Will I need something to save my work on?
If you are at all familiar with saving work, then you may want to bring in a memory stick to save your work on as you go along. For those that are new to computers, do not worry, a tutor will help and advise you on your first session about saving work and will discuss the best method with you.

Do I need a computer at home?
Not at all. We do find that if you can practice at home inbetween attending sessions (unless you are attending twice or more per week through open learning) then you will learn a lot quicker. However, if you do not have access to a computer, this will not stop you from progressing. Do also remember, that we do have computers that you can use outside of the open learning sessions while you are a student. Ask your tutor for further information.

This information is believed to be correct. Cirencester College continually updates and reviews its provision to ensure that it meets the needs of the community. Therefore the right to amend, change or delete learning programmes, accreditation routes or terms and conditions relating to entitlement to study is reserved at all times. We aim to provide open access to a comprehensive range of high quality education and training for the whole community over the age of 16 regardless of race, class, belief, language, gender, sexual orientation, disability, previous educational attainment or particular circumstances.