Preparing to Learn IT

Preparing to Learn IT
This course will help you prepare to enrol on an IT course. Aimed at those new to computers, nervous of them or returning back to computers after a break, this short course will cover the basics that you will need as part of any of the accredited IT courses. The course will also help us decide which computer course would suit you the most, taking into account your ability and end goals.

What does the course involve?
A chance to explore the basics of using a computer and beginning to work on building some of the skills that you will need for your accredited IT course. Practical lessons without the pressure of assessments to get you started.

What will I study?
File Management Learn how to save and retrieve files. Organise your documents into folders and put some structure into your file system. An essential part of any IT qualification is to have some form of understanding and ability to work with a file management system, namely Windows Explorer.

Understanding the keyboard Although you will not be expected to or need to touch-type or type at any great speed for your fisrt IT qualifications, you will need to have some idea of the keyboard. Explore the most used and important keys on the keyboard.

Working with Windows A chance to start to understand how Microsoft Windows works with menus and icons (or the ribbon if on Office 2007). An introduction to the basics to help you get more out of your IT qualification.

What are the entry requirements for Preparing to Learn IT?

• There are no entry requirements.

How is the course assessed?

• There is no assessment for this course

Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to come on this course before enrolling on any IT course?
No. This course is aimed at those relatively new to computers or returning back to computers after a long break. This is a chance to learn the basics to help you on your way once you enrol on your taught Basic Computing, Internet and Email, CLAIT or ECDL course. It is strongly recommended that you enrol on this course prior to enrolling on an accredited course to ensure that we can advise you which course will suit you the best.

I want to attend open learning for my accredited course - should I still enrol on this course?
If you are going to attend open learning then it is not so essential to attend this course. This course is aimed at helping build the basics in preparation for a class where everyone will be working together, thus helping everyone be at the same starting level. In open learning you tend to be following a more individual programme and so it is not so important that everyone starts at the same level.

How will this help me enrol on the right course?
By attending this short course, it will give the tutor time to get to knopw what skills you already have and how quickly you are picking up new skills. This will help us to advise you which course would be most suited to you.

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.