home
about
news
programme
activities
UK Online
Out of School Project
Youth Project
Early Years
Play Schemes
Classes
Older People
staff
premises
downloads
user groups
partnerships
links
 

| Open Learning | Courses | St@rt | Resources | Programme | Volunteering |

UK Online

UK Online is a government initiative to enable people to gain access to computers and Information Technology to enable them to become more informed and more able to function in an increasingly technological society. Sidings UK Online Centre currently offers FREE access and instruction in an informal, friendly amosphere.

Our weekly programme includes Open Learning sessions and structured courses.

Open Learning sessions

The Drop In sessions allow anyone from the absolute beginner to the experienced, independent user to access the computers and achieve their potential, developing skills useful for life and employment or just for fun. Beginners usually follow the St@rt Course and receive instruction from experienced teacher/trainers and volunteer Support Workers.

For the Beginner

If you are an absolute beginner there is a structured course to help you use the mouse and keyboard, control the computer and get to the point where very soon you will be able to work on the computer independently (See St@rt). You'll soon be accessing the Internet and emailing your friends and family all over the world. And don't worry! There's always someone here to help.

For the Improver

We have the complete Microsoft Office suite you can use to study ECDL with interactive CD ROM or printed resources, use our digital camera, scanner and image manipulation software, Photoshop Elements 7. You are only limited by your imagination.

Open Learning Opportunities

Sidings' Teacher/Trainer runs courses on a variety of topics depending on interest and demand. You may access some of these courses during Individual ICT Open Learning sessions and work at your own pace.

Courses have so far included:

  • St@rt courses for beginners
  • Basic and Intermediate Word Processing
  • Desktop Publishing with Publisher
  • Presentations with Powerpoint
  • Basic and Intermediate Spreadsheets
  • Access Database for Beginners
  • Databases in Excel and Access
  • Create Web Pages with WordPress
  • Web Authoring with HTML & CSS using Dreamweaver
  • Digital Imaging with Adobe Photoshop Elements
  • IT + Employability. Use computers to help you get back to work

If you would like to learn about something not listed here, please ask. Speak to Geoff and we'll see what we can do.

^^ back to top ^^

St@rt

St@rt stands for Sidings Technology @t Room Temperature. It is a structured but informal course for the absolute beginner. It aims to provide the novice with enough of the basics of using computers that they can feel confident with simple word processing and using the Internet. Those completing the course receive a St@rt Certificate celebrating the achievement of the first milestone on the road to Computer Literacy.

ST@RT Computing for Beginners

Course Outline

  1. Switch a computer on and off
  2. Use the mouse and keyboard
  3. Use Windows and menus to operate the computer
  4. Open and use programs
  5. Save, retrieve & print documents
  6. Navigate the computer filing system
  7. Word process and format documents
  8. Use the Internet to browse websites
  9. Use search engines to find information
  10. Setup and use your own email address
  11. Much more...

Contact Geoff to apply.

^^ back to top ^^

Courses Spring Term 2012

 

Excel Spreadsheets from the Beginning

Tutor: Geoff Stilwell

Monday Mornings 2 hrs: 10am-12pm - 12 week course starting Monday 9th January 2012

Who is the course for?

This course is aimed at learners who want to make use of the power of spreadsheets for accounts, budgets, calculations, lists, etc.

Learners should have a reasonable competence with Windows and perhaps other applications such as. Word, Web Browsers, PowerPoint, etc. No previous knowledge of Excel or spreadsheets is necessary.

During the Excel Spreadsheets course you will learn how to:

  • Recognise and enter different data types into a spreadsheet
  • Enter formulas to calculate rows and columns
  • Enter the Sum function manually and automatically
  • Duplicate formulas for multiple rows and columns
  • Select parts of the spreadsheet
  • Edit and format the spreadsheet manually and automatically
  • Recognise the order of arithmetical operators and the use of brackets
  • Format types of numerical data: currency, date, time, decimal places
  • Use Print Preview and Page Setup to achieve ahard copy
  • Use series of data, sequences, patterns, days, months and custom lists
  • Use spreadsheet functions such as: Max, Min, Average, Count
  • Create different charts/graphs from spreadsheet data and choose appropriate chart
  • Use multiple worksheets to create a 3D spreadsheet
  • Use Paste Special to paste specific values/formats, or Transpose row/columns
  • Add Comments to parts of the spreadsheet
  • Use conditional formatting to highlight significant parts of the spreadsheet
  • Much more...

Download Course Outline | Course Poster | UK Online programme page.

^^ back to top ^^

Resources

Hardware

Our dedicated Computer Training Room has space for up to twelve people. We give access and instruction on Desktop and Laptop computers, Scanner and Digital Camera, with output on quality Monochrome and Colour Laser Printers. Teaching is aided and enhanced with the use of an interactive whiteboard.

Software

We currently have the full Microsoft Office 2007 Suite including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access and Publisher plus the excellent Free Open Office suite of applications which provide compatibility with Microsoft Office. We have Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 for Digital Imaging. Internet access is using Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox browsers . Email is possible through an Internet mail service like Yahoo, GMail or Hotmail or you may be able to access your personal mail if your ISP provides a webmail service. If you are experienced in Web Authoring we have Macromedia's Dreamweaver MX and the Free NVu web authoring software. We also have simple typing tutor applications you can use to practice your keyboard skills.

^^ back to top ^^

UK Online Programme - Spring Term 2012

The UK Online Programme runs during term times only. Term Starts with Classes on Monday 9th January. There is a break during half-term week:

Monday 13 th to Friday 17th February 2012

The term ends on Thursday 5th April 2012courses and drop ins will finish on the appropriate day that week. Westminster Kingsway College classes often follow different term dates so check for details.

Limited Crèche facilities are available but ring the Early Years Unit (020 7624 0588) to book a place.

You can download and print a PDF version of the Programme using Adobe Acrobat.

At the beginning of the spring term all classes will be recruiting students. If you would like to take advantage of any of the opportunities in the UK Online programme listed here email Geoff or ring 020 7372 0242 and book a place.

Individual Open Learning Sessions are run as Drop ins and do not need to be booked. Places are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis.

Monday

10am – 12pm

Excel Spreadsheets from the Beginning

12 week course starting Monday 9th January 2012

Course Outline

Sidings Tutor: Geoff Stilwell

1pm– 3:30pm

ESOL + ICT (English for Speakers of Other Languages) + (Information & Communication Technology)

Learn English: Speaking and Listening, Reading, Writing, Grammar, Punctuation, Spelling, etc, with the help of computers. Up to Entry Level 3 only.

Westminster Kingsway College Course
WKC Tutor: Lisa Williamson

Monday Afternoons 2 hours from 9th January 2012

Limited Crèche facilities available. Contact the Children's Centre for availability. 020 7624 0588

Tuesday
10am – 12pm

ITQ Internet and email

ITQ is an accredited IT Course. The course this term focuses on the Internet and email. This course is part of the new ITQ Level 1 syllabus. You can obtain credits towards a full ITQ level 1 qualification. The Spreadsheets ITQ module follows in the Summer term.

Tuesday Mornings 1–3pm — Starts 10th January

ACL Tutor: Mohamed Omar
1pm – 3pm

IT (Information Technology) for Employability

This course will introduce you to all the main functions of using a computer. Including: using the internet to search for a job, how to send and receive emails and how to create your CV or other documents using Word. You will have the chance to set yourself up with your own email account and improve your chances with employment.

You will learn how to use the computer to: Write a document using a word processing software, Navigate the Internet and use search engines, Create and design your own CV, Write an effective Covering Letter, Use the Internet to search for job opportunities, Apply for jobs online, Improve your interviewing skills.

Tuesday Afternoons 1–3pm — Starts 10th January

Course Outline

ACL Tutor: Mohamed Omar

Some Crèche facilities available. Contact the Children's Centre for availability. 020 7624 0588

7pm – 9pm

*** Evening ***
Open Access Open Learning Individual ICT session - Open to all.

Computer Skills, Internet & Email, Open Learning: Follow a course or practice, etc. Mainly for people who can't make it during the day.

Sidings Tutor: Geoff Stilwell

Wednesday
1pm – 3pm

Introduction to Social Networking

Learn to make use of the variety of Social Networking web services available, such as Facebook and Twitter.

Suitable for anyone who is able to use the computer with some experience of the internet and email.

ACL Tutor: Zoe Lee

Wednesday Afternoons 2 hrs: 1pm-3pm from 11th January

Crèche facilities available. Contact the Children's Centre for availability. 020 7624 0588
 

Thursday

10am – 12pm

Open Access – Open Learning Individual ICT session – Targeted for the over 50s.
Computer Skills, Internet & Email, Open Learning Practice, etc.

Sidings Tutor: Geoff Stilwell

1pm – 3pm

Open Access – Open Learning Individual ICT session- Open to all.
Computer Skills, Internet & Email, Open Learning, Practice, etc.

Sidings Tutor: Geoff Stilwell

Friday

Please note that classes on Friday 13th and Friday 20th January will not take place due to Staff Training. Friday's programme will return to normal on Friday 27th January. Apologies for the inconvenience.

 

10am - 12pm

Open Learning Open Learning Individual ICT session - Open to all.
Computer Skills, Internet & Email, Open Learning, Practice, etc.

Sidings Tutor: Geoff Stilwell

1pm – 3pm

Open Access – Open Learning Individual ICT session - Open to all.
Computer Skills, Internet & Email, Open Learning, Practice, etc.

Sidings Tutor: Geoff Stilwell

^^ back to top ^^

Volunteering

There are many opportunities for people to volunteer within the UK Online Training Centre at Sidings.

  • If you have ICT skills we can use you to help beginners and improvers which often leads to you learning more yourself.
  • Sometimes there are simpler but equally important tasks, like a bit of filing or photocopying.
  • Volunteers can take advantage of training courses helping them to learn new skills or enhance and update those they already have.

If you have time and would like to help others please get in touch with Geoff by email or phone: 020 7372 0242 for more details.
 

© 2005 Sidings Community Centre

Design by Fade to Black