Class Concepts

CompuHelp’s strength is in connecting with our students. Every student has their own learning style and CompuHelp strives to accommodate each and every student. Some students learn better visually, some by hearing the directions, and others by doing the practice exercises. CompuHelp presents the concept first verbally (talking about what will be covered and why the student might use the feature), and then visually by showing examples on the white board or computer, and then we move to hands-on exercises.

CompuHelp tries to keep concepts in simple terms whenever possible. You will never find an instructor using technical jargon to explain a simple concept. Some technical terms are important to know and we will bring those to your attention when required. We have found that delivering a technical concept is best done by relating it to an everyday concept. For example, a hard drive is similar to a file cabinet.

We are a personalized, student focused computer training organization with more than thirty years experience. We take the time to guide you, step by step, through every concept we present. We deliver the material at a rate according to skill level — never rushing through technical concepts or practice exercises. Whether you require on-site or online training, we’re available to customize a training program that meets your needs and quickly provide you with important skills to navigate today’s technology environment.

COMPREHENSIVE COMPUTER TRAINING COURSES FOR BEGINNERS TO EXPERTS

Classes described below are approximately 1.5 hours in length. The course descriptions provide a snapshot of the types of training we offer. If you don’t see the type of class you’re looking for just ask — we’re happy to provide you with additional information on other courses.

Getting Started with Personal Computers

MODULE 1 – INTRODUCTION TO COMPUTER HARDWARE

This class is designed for someone with NO computer experience. The primary goal in this class is to make new users more comfortable with computers. If you have never used a computer, this is the class for you.

What you should consider before purchasing a computer – what are the basics?
Basic computer terminology – what’s a byte/megabyte/gigabyte?
How to identify the basic components of a computer, including output and input devices
What is involved in setting up a computer?
How to turn on a computer, log on, and view information about your computer

MODULE 2 – USING INPUT DEVICES

This class is designed for people who want to learn more about input devices. Participants will use games, a painting program and the Windows desktop to practice their skills.

Some typing basics and some suggestions on where to learn more
How to correctly use a mouse/touchpad and fun ways to practice to increase your hand-eye coordination skills
How to get comfortable with different input devices

MODULE 3 – USING APPLICATION SOFTWARE

This class is an introduction to various software available and what it can and cannot do for you.

What kinds of programs you will need on your computer
Which types of applications do you use to type a letter, create calculations, or create a slide show?
How to open and use programs to create a letter, update numbers in a spreadsheet and run a slide show

Getting Started with Microsoft Windows

MODULE 1 – ORIENTATION TO THE WINDOWS OPERATING ENVIRONMENT

This class will help you become more familiar with your computer’s operating system, which will enable you to learn new programs much easier.

How to find and use the task bar, Windows button and shortcut menus
How to display properties for different Windows objects

MODULE 2 – MOVING AROUND IN WINDOWS AND GETTING HELP

How to move around Windows – opening, resizing, and managing multiple windows using the taskbar
How to navigate Windows using the navigation bar, back/forward buttons, index, favorites and history
How to find and use Windows help and support

MODULE 3 – WINDOWS CONSISTENCIES

This class will provide an overview of how to find and manage the files on your computer.

How to launch a program, create and save a new document
How to preview and print a document
How to create shortcuts and cut, copy and paste information

Getting Started with Computer File Management

MODULE 1 – FILE MANAGEMENT BASIC TERMINOLOGY AND CONCEPTS

This class will provide an overview of how to find and manage the files on your computer and in the cloud.

Cloud vs. Local Storage
How to optimize and protect your computer disk storage space
How to manage your files using drives, folders, and subfolders
How to save and find files using filenames, filename extensions and paths

MODULE 2 – INTRODUCTION TO WINDOWS EXPLORER

The primary goal in this class is to make new users more comfortable with using Windows Explorer to manage files and folders. During this class, you will learn:

How to find and view file folder and contents details
How to select view types such as icon and thumbnail views
How to create new folders and copy, select and move files into new and existing folders
How to use the Recycle Bin to permanently delete files and folders or restore deleted files

Getting Started with the Internet

MODULE 1 – INTRODUCTION TO INTERNET EXPLORER

This class is designed for someone with no Internet experience. The primary goal in this class is to make new users more comfortable with using the Internet.

About the history of the Internet
Basic Internet terminology
- What’s an IP address?
- How does the domain name system work?
- What a URL?
How to use Microsoft Edge – how to navigate the Internet, bookmark favorite sites, and view your browsing history

MODULE 2 – HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET

How search engines work
How to use the most popular search engines
How to use keywords and advanced search features to get the results you want

Getting Started with Microsoft Outlook

MODULE 1 – INTRODUCTION TO MICROSOFT OUTLOOK

This class provides an overview of the useful features of Microsoft Outlook for email and calendar management.

How to use Outlook’s standard email functions to create, send, reply, attach files, and forward email messages
How to organize your email using folders
How to use the info bar and message icons

MODULE 2 – MANAGING APPOINTMENTS AND EVENTS USING OUTLOOK

How to use Outlook to manage your calendar to schedule appointments and events
How to set up appointment reminders, change calendar views and print daily, weekly and monthly calendars

Microsoft Outlook for Intermediate Users

MODULE 1 – MORE ON EMAIL

This class provides an in-depth look at Microsoft Outlook’s advanced features for email management.

About advanced email functions – message recall, spell check, saving attachments, adding message alerts, and message search
How to create and use email stationary, add a personal signature and include voting buttons in your email messages
How to use the Out of Office Assistant

MODULE 2 – USING OUTLOOK TO SCHEDULE AND MANAGE MEETINGS

How to schedule meetings – send meeting requests, invite others, and view responses by attendees
How to manage scheduled meetings – respond to meeting requests, change meeting date or time, or cancel a meeting

Introduction to Microsoft Word

MODULE 1 – CREATING, EDITING AND FORMATTING TEXT

This class will help you become more familiar with using Microsoft Word as your word processing application.

How to find and use Word tabs, ribbons, toolbars, rulers and status bar
How to create, edit, and save a new document
How to use shortcuts to select, cut, copy, paste and format text

MODULE 2 – FORMATTING PARAGRAPHS AND TABLE BASICS

How to format paragraph line spacing, tabs and alignment
How to create numbered and bulleted lists and apply styles
How to create and format tables, add and delete rows and columns
How to use the Auto Format Table feature

MODULE 3 – PAGE SETUP AND TIME SAVERS

How to set up page margins, page orientation, page breaks
How to create and format headers and footers and page numbers
How to proof documents using spell check and thesaurus
How to save time by using templates, AutoCorrect, AutoComplete, and AutoText features

Microsoft Word for Intermediate Users

These classes will help you become more proficient using word to create professional looking documents.

MODULE 1 – USING STYLES, GRAPHICS AND TEMPLATES

How to set up and modify styles to create consistent document formatting
How to insert and format graphic elements, create custom graphics, logos and stylized text

MODULE 2 – MANAGING TABLES, DOCUMENT CHANGES AND LINKING DATA

Advanced formatting tools for tables
How to perform basic calculations and create charts
How to manage and track document changes using the reviewing toolbar
How to link Excel data in a Microsoft Word table

MODULE 3 – USING SECTIONS AND CREATING A WEB PAGE

How to format documents using sections, page breaks, columns and cover pages
How to create different margin settings in same document
How to create a web page from a template and insert hyperlinks

MODULE 4 – CREATING FORM LETTERS, ENVELOPES AND LABELS

How to set up a mail merge to create a form letter, mailing labels and envelopes
How to create envelopes and labels without using the mail merge feature

Microsoft Word for Advanced Users

These classes are designed for proficient users of Microsoft Word. During these modules you will learn:

MODULE 1 – INTRODUCTION TO MACROS

How to create, use, and test macros to automate repetitive tasks

MODULE 2 – USING GRAPHICS

How to draw in a document and create graphic effects using clip art and WordArt
How to control how words wrap around graphics

MODULE 3 – WORKING WITH LARGE DOCUMENTS

How to create a master document and generate a Table of Contents and index
How to create footnotes, endnotes, bookmarks, and hyperlinks in documents

Introduction to Microsoft Excel

MODULE 1 – EXCEL BEGINNER BASICS

This class provides an overview of the useful features of Microsoft Excel for beginner users.

How to navigate through the Excel environment and Excel terminology basics
How to enter and edit data and navigate within the Excel environment
How to modify the display of numbers with dollar signs and percent symbols
How to use shortcuts to move and copy data

MODULE 2 – CHANGING SHEET STRUCTURE AND PERFORMING CALCULATIONS

How to insert, delete and format rows and columns
How to find and replace data
How to perform calculations, create formulas and absolute references

MODULE 3 – CELL FORMATTING AND PAGE SET-UP

How to format cells with number formats, font size and type, borders and colors
How to apply AutoFormats and styles
How to set-up printing and page options such as margins, page breaks and headers and footers

Microsoft Excel for Intermediate Users

MODULE 1 – WORKING WITH MULTIPLE SHEETS

How to work with multiple sheets, format and reposition sheet tabs
How to copy, move, insert and delete sheets
How to perform 3D calculations

MODULE 2 – CREATING, MODIFYING AND FORMATTING CHARTS

How to create charts to more effectively analyze data
How to modify and format charts and chart items

MODULE 3 – IMPORTING/EXPORTING DATA AND USING TEMPLATES

How to import and export data to use in other applications
How to save a Worksheet as a web page
How to create and use templates

MODULE 4 – SORTING AND FILTERING DATA AND COLLABORATION

How to sort and filter data and create filtered lists
How to insert and edit hyperlinks
How to collaborate within a worksheet using the comments feature

Microsoft Excel for Advanced Users

MODULE 1 – WORKING WITH ADVANCED FORMULAS

How to create and use advanced formulas
How to trace cell precedents and dependents
How to locate errors in formulas

MODULE 2 – ANALYZING DATA

How to analyze data using pivot tables and charts
How to create “what if” scenarios and using the “Solver” and “Goal Seek” functions

MODULE 3 – INTRODUCTION TO MACROS

How to create and run a macro
How to create customized toolbars and macro buttons

Introduction to Microsoft Access

These modules will help you become more familiar with using a database to manage data such as employee and customer information. Databases enable you to “query” the database to find out information such as “How many of my customers live in Vermont?” or “How many of my employees work the night shift?”

MODULE 1 – BASIC DATABASE CONCEPTS AND TERMINOLOGY

About standard database concepts, terminology and examples of typical databases
About basic Access database objects – tables, forms, queries and reports
How to use the 8-step process to create a database from scratch or using a database wizard

MODULE 2 – MORE TABLE DESIGN

Comparative discussion of table datasheet and design views
How to create relationships between tables and modify table designs
How to add, sort, find, filter and delete records

MODULE 3 – ACCESS QUERIES

How to create and save queries
How to use comparison operators, AND/OR conditions and BETWEEN operator in queries
How to add and remove tables, edit values and add a calculated field to queries

Microsoft Access for Intermediate Users

MODULE 1 – CREATING AND USING ACCESS FORMS

How to create and use Access forms to enable easier data entry, find data and edit and delete records
How to modify form designs and select, size, align and move controls

MODULE 2 – CREATING AND USING ACCESS REPORTS

How to create and edit professional looking database reports
How to modify report sections
How to work with controls and change the format of a control

MODULE 3 – MANAGING DATA AND CONTROLLING DATA ENTRY

How to import and export data
How to automate data input for some fields to reduce typos and ensure data consistency
How to use input masks and lookup lists to make data entry more efficient

Microsoft Access for Advanced Users

MODULE 1 – FINDING AND JOINING DATA AND FLEXIBLE QUERIES

How to find and join data, find data using filters and query joins
How to build bridges between data, relate data within a table, and maintaining data using queries