CIS 110: Computer Office Applications

Class 1

In this first class, I'd like to identify students who are beginners, and advanced. I will attempt to give students at all levels a challenging learning experience.

Those with a high level of expertise can earn their grade by helping those in class with little or no understanding of the program.

Course Introduction

Requirements and Expectations
Coursework, homework and attendance. Grading system: for midterms and final: the minimum to pass the course, and what upgrades earn you A's and B's

In-Class: 

• Microsoft Word – what it is best for, how it functions
• PowerPoint – common uses, functionality
• Excel – use as spreadsheet, database, sorting

Homework: Review video lessons

• Review video: (2-3 min) http://www.gcflearnfree.org/word2010
  Word 2010 is the word processing software in the Microsoft Office Suite. It allows you to easily create a variety of professional-looking documents using features such as themes, styles, SmartArt, and more.
• Review video: (2-3 min) http://www.gcflearnfree.org/excel2010
  Excel 2010 is the spreadsheet software in the Microsoft 2007 Office Suite. It allows you to store, organize, and analyze numerical and text data. 
• Review video: (2-3 min) http://www.gcflearnfree.org/powerpoint2010
  PowerPoint 20010 is the presentation graphics software in the Microsoft 2010 Office Suite. With PowerPoint, you can use its easy-to-use predefined layouts, themes, or templates to create dynamic and professional presentations.

Class 2

Starting with Word

Lecture:  Class will start with "word processing" concepts, how document processing has altered the workplace and changed the value put on individual workers. Students will begin to understand how such a basic skill can impact their career.

In-Class: (where we start will depend on the class skill level.) Word basics: including simple text formatting, making edits, and understanding the basics of styles and how to avoid common word problems. Class will learn how to use the preferences and options tab to customize word for their own use.

Practice Document: Proposal and Task List. (please ignore image at top):
Click for PDF of expected outcome
Click for file containing unformatted text.

Practice Document-a Tutorial: (and improve on the layout & design)
Click for PDF of current layout
Click for file containing unformatted text.
Images: menu-bar, view-button, code, google-source, w3 sample, notepad-save, open file, side by side, reference-sheet

Homework: start with the "Getting to know Word" video series Each section is about 30 minutes (with a practice session) and ends with a short quiz. (The links for word 2007 still works). click the link and then click on the orange button that says "start this course" it is a self-paced course, not video. At the end of each section there is a "test yourself" section. Go ahead and do that and email it to me.

I: Create your first document (2007)	How to do the basics: type where you want to on a page, fix spelling errors, change spacing and page margins, and save your work
II: Edit text and revise your documents (2007)	How to get from one place to another in a document so that you can make changes anywhere on the page, how to add and delete text, and move text around
III: Make documents look great	Emphasize text, make lists, and learn to use styles, a tool that helps you format a document

Class 3

VIEW RESUME WE STARTED IN CLASS

Beginning of resume from last class

Understanding Word Templates and Styles - How to Create Your Own

Lecture:  Class will learn about document types: reports, stories, articles, reviews... each type having its own purpose, set of rules and vocabulary. Readability factors, proper grammar and how font selection can change how the document is perceived.

Tuesday evening class: we'll divide into 2 groups. Students who who are expert or very well advanced in Word, Excel and PPT - I'll call you "Aces" and those who are fairly new to the Office suite will be called "Diamonds" (as in diamonds in the rough.) The Aces, instead of doing the in-class exercises, will work with the Diamonds and share whatever skills they think necessary to help them through the exercises. The Aces will be graded on their attendance and performance, instead of the exercises. We will discuss this in class.

Special discussion on resumes (for Tuesday's class we'll review class 1 discussion):
Uniquely creative resumes and the reality of how most resumes are treated. Review the Different resume layouts and how each one presents a unique asset.

• Layout for Version 1 stresses accomplishments and education.
• Layout for Version 2 stresses accomplishments and education..
• Layout for Version 3 emphasizes the assets you would bring to the job... (that includes skills not in a curriculum and self-taught knowledge) and explains where or how you acquired the skills or gives you the chance to elaborate.

In class assignment: A Formatted Document Template that can be used for a Stratford Syllabus (use sample syllabus for current layout) And, of course i've prepared a text file for you to use to format the syllabus.

MIDTERM ASSIGNMENT for Tuesday Diamonds & all students in Wednesday classes: (Due class 6)-please do not use a template - create your own design.

Students will create:

• A business letterhead, Business Cards
• A Formatted resume that you would use to request interviews
• A "boilerplate" proposal on letterhead, formal with a task list.

Homework for Tuesday Diamonds & all students in Wednesday classes: I reviewed the links and found that once you get to the page you'll see an orange button that says "start this course" click the button and you'll go to the next page. This is a self-guided tutorial, so click the "next" button at the top of each page to advance. You will need a copy of word 2007. See below for Tuesday's Aces homework:

Bullets, numbers, and lists	The ins and outs of bullets, numbers, and multilevel lists
Save time with templates	How to create documents by using existing templates on Microsoft Office Online, and how to turn your own documents into templates
Get to know Tables	Learn how to insert a table into a document, add formatting and edit its structure.
Headers and Footers	How to work easily with the header and footer feature — how to add page numbers or other headers and footers that Word has designed for you; add your own text; the date and time; and the document name and file location.

Homework and Part of the Midterm for Aces: This assignment will merge into the midterm, since we'll just be reviewing basics in excel. Create a very simple guide for complete newbies - those who have less than a year of computer experience on how to start up word and do the basics... (complete with screen captures) do not assume they know the fundamentals. (see fundamentals workshop proposal doc) The guide should be between 15-20 pages. I'd like to see an outline by next week.

Class 4

Student Data Files
(these are zipped files)
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3

NOTE: WE WILL BE STARTING EXCEL THIS CLASS

Using Today's Spreadsheet for Strategy

Lecture:  Spreadsheets changed the way managers and business executives thought of data and how, over 20 years later, the ability to understand, organize and manipulate data has become a requirement for almost all office personnel. While tutorials focus on simple database-style use, programs such as excel can be used for a whole host of important tasks. This week and next we will examine spreadsheets created for specific tasks and examine how they are used.

In-class exercise: review intro to Excel Basics (click link) We will review it briefly as a class, then look at this Kit pricing example of a spreadsheet in use.

Exercise: (to be started in this class and finished as homework) Class will learn how to create their own worksheet. Each student will create their own following my example.

Homework for Tuesday Diamonds & all students in Wednesday classes: 
Continue with the "Getting to know ... " video series

Homework for Aces: continue Fundamentals Guide.

Class 5

Excel: More than Just Budgets

Lecture:  Now that we've gotten to know how the use of simple lists and functions can make the world easier, lets start trying to use our data to draw conclusions and make strategic decisions.

Learn to create a budget.... You'll learn how to create your own household budget (if the info is sensitive, then go ahead and modify numbers) that will include all bills and income, separate by month, year, and allow you to make spending or income choices and see the outcome.

Learn how to import data into excel and manage it. We'll go to Google's Keyword Research Tool and try out some search terms... then download the results into excel for review.

Homework for Tuesday Diamonds & all students in Wednesday classes: 
Create your own household budget (if the info is sensitive, then go ahead and modify numbers) that will include all bills and income, separate by month, year, and allow you to make spending or income choices and see the outcome.

Class 6

Excel: Advanced Formulas

Lecture:  Going beyond simple math functions, averages and percentages, this program can help you with simple tasks like pulling out a list of email addresses in record time, let you export all kinds of data, even after you've modified the order of fields, or help you determine on the spot pricing for product suites with variable fees, discounts and commissions. Any one of the above could take hours using "obvious" methods. The trick is learning - and preparing for - the need.

Present Midterm Documents

IN CLASS EXERCISE: Class will create a timeline and budget using an outline of a marketing plan worksheet. Class will download a marketing plan worksheet, then fill in the dates, figure the costs and the final budget totals using in-class directions and clues from the spreadsheet. (see sample pdf here ) Anyone needing extra help with excel, please let me know. I will be happy to review and answer questions.

For review....
Learn how to figure out dates using formulas in Excel 2010
How to create a chart in 2010

Homework: Read and perform exercises in your book, Chapter 1 (PPT-Chapter 1) the orange section. We will start with powerpoint in the following class.

Class 7

Power Point: Presentation Software for Everyone

Lecture: "Slide" presentations have come a long way since the 1970's when I was first taught to do them. The time, labor and cost made them quite valuable, therefore the data, formatting and of course the script reflected that value. During the development of slide imaging software, research on colors, fonts, layout and sizing for best results was done. Then we moved to desktops... All those studies, accumulated knowledge was replaced with a program whose defaults often put whole audiences to sleep.

We will practice creating presentations in class using different effects.

FINAL ASSIGNMENT (Due class 10)

Students will create a PowerPoint Presentation with:

FINAL ASSIGNMENT (Due class 10)

Students will create a PowerPoint Presentation with:

• Presentation must contain either table(s) and/or chart(s) from Excel. It is ok to use any of the spreadsheet files discussed in class (and posted in this outline).
• You may create a screen capture of your resume, use elements of your letterhead graphics in your presentation.
• Presentation explains/persuades your suitability to perform a task. Should be at least 8-10 slides
• Please study all of the hints and tips on the sidebar. This demonstrates your knowledge of Microsoft Office.

Class 8

VIEW RESUME WE STARTED IN CLASS

Link to beginning of resume from last class

Learn tips from the experts at About.com! Check the links below.

PowerPoint: Work Faster and Smarter

Lecture: Yes, Virginia, it is possible to create a great presentation in PowerPoint! Planning first, creating a script with a list of images helps. The photos, graphics, themes, and effects need to support your presentation's message, not distract from it. Pick a color palette, find images and themes that work, then go about designing a presentation that holds together. The save it as a custom presentation

• Create custom layout
• Rename master
• Inserting placeholders
• Custom layout setting
• Save as template

Information from about.com will give you a lot of help, and best practices with powerpoint presentations.

Themes and backgrounds-all of these are from experts at about.com. Tutorials, not videos.
Coordinate the Look of Your Slides with a Design Themes
Background Colors and Graphics in PowerPoint 2007

Emphasize Content all of these are from experts at about.com. Tutorials, not videos.
Add an Excel Chart to Your PowerPoint Presentation
Add Photos to the PowerPoint 2007 Slide Master
Edit the Slide Master to Speed up Production

Class 9

PowerPoint Hints, Tips and More!

Power Point: Way Beyond Simple Layouts

Lecture:  Just because you CAN add sound, moving graphics, and photos of your recent girls night out doesn't mean you SHOULD. PowerPoint has added a lot of interesting ways to emphasize, transition, showcase and otherwise modify text, images and sound. Play with all the effects, but choose the ones you use carefully. Your job is to use this program to deliver a message, not cause migraines!

Interesting uses for power point
As a method for helping people determine website layout
As a method for teaching the basics of a software program

Class 10

Present Finals