September to December 2014 Schedule & Course Descriptions

September 2014

Introduction to Windows 8 Seminar – In this seminar, learners will experience the new features of Windows 8 including the standard apps (applications) and learners will get a great overview of how to navigate Windows 8. Free Seminar – Please enroll to save your seat.

Picasa Essentials: Organizing, Editing & Sharing Photos using Picasa 3- You will learn to install Picasa, the free PC program from Google, and organize, edit and share your digital photos. In class, you will download your photos from your camera to a computer. You will learn how to get all your photos organized into folders. Picasa’s editing features let you take out red eyes, improve color and contrast, crop for printing and add special effects and text. You will learn how to create slide shows and collages. You will create your own web albums, order prints online and share your photos with your friends. Prerequisites: Students must have a digital camera and have a working knowledge of Windows. Please bring a flash drive with at least 2 GB of space for the first session. Later you will bring your camera with its battery charged and the cable that connects your camera to a computer to class. Class Fee $25.

 

RESCHEDULED ... Introduction to Facebook Workshop–Facebook is used and enjoyed by people of all ages. Facebook provides easy ways to exchange communication with friends and family. You will learn about how to view and post your own photos, video, and messages. You will learn about posting on friends’ "Wall“, "Commenting" on friends’ pictures, and real-time Chat. Personal security recommendations are also covered. Workshop Fee $15.

 

Exploring Windows 7 - This eight-session course will introduce the student to Microsoft’s Windows 7 Operating System. The student will be introduced to the basics of the Windows 7 desktop, Task Bar, the Start menu, how to find and launch a program and use the Help features. The student will learn the basics of file management using the new Windows Explorer, as well as system maintenance and backup tools built into the Windows 7 Operating System. Prerequisites: Student should be familiar with using a mouse and have some confidence using a computer. Class Fee $25.

 

Computer Security & Backup: Protect Yourself - Seminar – U.S. online shoppers number over 100 million. In this free seminar you will learn some of the basic ways to protect yourself in this fast-paced online world. Of course, in spite of our best efforts, things can go wrong. You need have good computer security software and a backup method in place for your computer files. We will teach you how to install Microsoft Security Essentials and give you some easy-to-do computer backup alternatives. Free Seminar – Please enroll to save your seat.

 

RESCHEDULED  ... iPad/iTunes/iCloud Workshop –This 2-session workshop will answer the questions: "How do I use the iPad and how does it relate to iTunes and iCloud". You will be introduced to the standard applications as well as some highly-recommended apps for the iPad. To learn iTunes and the art of importing your Music CDs and burning your own favorite playlist to CD you will use one of our classroom PCs - or you can also bring your laptop to class. Workshop Fee $15

 

Converting to Gmail – This workshop will lead you through converting from your old email address to Gmail. Converting means you will be prepared to stop using your old email address and will make all your email messages come to your new address. Many students will do the entire conversion in the workshop, because Google has written conversion tools that make things easy!  Prerequisites: Let the instructor know ahead of time which old email system you are using, so he can be ready when you arrive. Send Mike Gilliom a note with your old email address to mgilliom@gmail.com. Also bring to class your old email address and account password. We will use these as part of the conversion to Gmail. And, if you don’t yet have a Gmail account, go to google.com and get one– and bring this address and password, too. Workshop Fee $15.

 

RESCHEDULED ... Pinterest.Com is a pinboard-style photo sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, hobbies, and more. Users can browse other pinboards for inspiration, 're-pin' images to their own pinboards, or 'like' photos. Pinterest is a tool for collecting and organizing things you love. Workshop Fee $15.

 

Skype Workshop - Skype is a very popular way to stay in touch with your loved ones! Skype is a free program that lets you make voice or video calls over the Internet using your computer's web camera and microphone. Calls to other Skype computers are free, and calls to both traditional landline telephones and mobile phones can be made for a fee. Skype also supports instant messaging, file transfer, and videoconferencing. Skype has many millions of registered users.

In this workshop we will start by helping you connect your own computer or tablet to the internet. Then we will explore Skype's key features.   If you bring your own laptop or tablet to class, you must have Skype already installed with a Skype account name and password already checked out. To set up a Skype account, go to www.skype.com, click the Download button, and follow the instructions for setting up Skype for your particular computer or tablet. Of course, you are welcome to use your Skype account with one of our PCs.

If you'd like to bring your own device (laptop or tablet) to the Skype workshop, come at 9am and be ready to connect to our classroom internet network. Otherwise, come at 9:30 and use our desktop computers. Skype instruction starts at 9:30. Workshop Fee $15

 

October 2014

Introduction to Digital Photography and Picasa is a hands-on course that introduces the student to digital photography. You will learn how to operate your camera, practice tips for taking good pictures, and import your digital photos from your camera onto the computer using Picasa. We’ll do some basic image editing, and then share photos using e-mailing and printing. Prerequisites: Students must have a digital camera and have a working knowledge of Windows. Please bring your camera, with its battery charged, your camera manual, a flash drive with at least 2 GB of space, and the cable that connects your camera to a computer to class. Note: See course Organizing, Editing & Sharing Photos using Picasa above & below for the description of the course that covers many more Picasa features. Class Fee $25.

 

RESCHEDULED ... Introduction to Facebook Workshop–Facebook is used and enjoyed by people of all ages. Facebook provides easy ways to exchange communication with friends and family. You will learn about how to view and post your own photos, video, and messages. You will learn about posting on friends’ "Wall“, "Commenting" on friends’ pictures, and real-time Chat. Personal security recommendations are also covered. Workshop Fee $15.

Exploring Windows 8 - In this 6-session class, learners will experience the new features of Windows 8, including how to personalize their device, understand basic navigation of Windows 8, the desktop, downloading apps they like, and will learn about using the cloud to their advantage.) Class Fee $25

 

Android Smartphones & Tablets Workshop -    This 3-session workshop will show you how to use your Android Smartphone or Tablet. Except for phone calls, these devices work the same way. We'll show you how to use the Home screen and Settings. Phone users will learn to make and answer calls and manage your contacts. Then we'll explore texting and email. We'll search the web, play with YouTube, set up calendars, tasks & alarms. We'll use the camera for photos and videos. And, we'll show you how to find free & fee apps - including games - to personalize your Phone or Tablet. Workshop Fee $15.

 

RESCHEDULED  ... iPad/iTunes/iCloud Workshop –This 2-session workshop will answer the questions: "How do I use the iPad and how does it relate to iTunes and iCloud". You will be introduced to the standard applications as well as some highly-recommended apps for the iPad. To learn iTunes and the art of importing your Music CDs and burning your own favorite playlist to CD you will use one of our classroom PCs - or you can also bring your laptop to class. Workshop Fee $15

RESCHEDULED ... Pinterest.Com is a pinboard-style photo sharing website that allows users to create and manage theme-based image collections such as events, interests, hobbies, and more. Users can browse other pinboards for inspiration, 're-pin' images to their own pinboards, or 'like' photos. Pinterest is a tool for collecting and organizing things you love. Workshop Fee $15.

Introduction to Ancestry.Com Workshop - We will cover the fundamentals of beginning to create your family genealogy using Ancestry.Com. We will go through some actual examples, such as using the US Census, birth, marriage, and death records to tie them to your own family history.  Workshop Fee $15.

 

November 2014

Computer Fundamentals using Windows 7 and 8 gives the beginner or person with limited experience the basic concepts, skills and tools such as terminology, using the mouse proficiently and mastery of the keyboard. You also receive a general grounding in word processing and a brief introduction to the Internet, web browsing and e-mail.  The relative emphasis on Windows 7 and 8 will depend on the needs of the particular class. Class Fee $25.

 

Introduction to Microsoft Word 2010 Workshop - This 3-session workshop will introduce Microsoft Word 2010. You will learn how to use the ribbon. We will cover the creation of your first document. You’ll learn to move around in your document, using formatting marks, moving text by using Cut and Paste, and changing line spacing and alignment in Word 2010. Workshop Fee $15.

 

WORKSHOP HAS BEEN CANCELLED.  Introduction to Your Mac & OS X Workshop – This 3-session workshop is for current Mac owners who would like to learn more about using their Mac, and prospective Mac owners who want to know more before buying their first Mac. We will introduce you to the variety of Macs available today and then look at many of the Mac’s basic features. We will examine the elements of the desktop, dock, and menu bar; the Finder and OS X folder structure; system preferences (settings for, hardware, internet, printer); setting up user accounts; setting up and syncing iCloud; and give you an overview of the key software on your Mac.  Please note: Our classroom is set up only with PCs. Our instructor will be demonstrating using a Mac laptop and classroom projector. Bring your own Mac laptop and follow along or simply watch the demonstration. When you enroll, send your email address to seymourtechcenter@gmail.com so you can talk ahead of time with the instructor about your current Mac and PC experience. Workshop Fee $15

 

Everything Google Workshop- Google offers us lots of free, web-based programs along with the free space for storing the files we create or upload. In this workshop, we will examine several of Google's free programs, including Google Drive (Documents, Spreadsheets, Presentations) Photos and Videos (Picasa), Calendar, YouTube, Maps, Google Earth, Groups, Books. You will learn how these programs are used to collaborate on projects and to share your creativity with family and friends. Workshop Fee $15.

 

Photo Gallery for Windows Workshop - This 2-session workshop will teach you how to edit, organize, combine, and share your photos. Photo Gallery is free download (sometime loaded by a vendor) and part of Windows Essentials 2012 for Windows 7 and an option on Windows 8.1. Windows Essentials 2012 also includes tools for movies, instant messaging, email, and more; however, this workshop will focus on editing techniques and printing your photos with Photo Gallery.  Workshop Fee $15.

 

Handheld Devices - This free seminar will be lead by a representative from Best Buy who will introduce you to the latest smart phones and tablets. You’ll hear about features, apps and prices. Bring all your questions!  Free Seminar – Please enroll to save your seat.

 

 

December 2014

File Management Workshop – This workshop will help you become more self-sufficient in managing the information you choose to save on your Personal Computer. It guides you through practice exercises that use features of the operating system designed to create and organize “folders” that hold the information you produce or obtain from other sources. This will help you get started reorganizing your personal files and folders so that they are easier to locate and access. The skills practiced in this workshop are applicable to every task you perform on your computer. Workshop Fee $15.

 

Computer Security & Backup: Protect Yourself - Seminar – U.S. online shoppers number over 100 million. In this free seminar you will learn some of the basic ways to protect yourself in this fast-paced online world. Of course, in spite of our best efforts, things can go wrong. You need have good computer security software and a backup method in place for your computer files. We will teach you how to install Microsoft Security Essentials and give you some easy-to-do computer backup alternatives. Free Seminar – Please enroll to save your seat.