Updating IT Skills (After the Module)

After the ICT moduel I am considering taking the The European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) which is a qualification from the British Computer Society and is recognised internationally. This is one of the main reasons I would like to take this course, when I have left the UK to Africa I can present this qualification.


There is a choice to either do the course in a learning centre or as a flexible distance learning course. During the ICT sessions I enjoyed being part of a class, participating vocally and completing class assignments, so I will be taking this course at one the learning centres (The Working Men's College) which is close to home.

EDCL is made up of seven modules:
•basic concepts of IT
•using the computer and managing files
•word processing
•spreadsheets
•databases
•presentations
•internet and email

The Advanced ECDL course covers:
•spreadsheets
•databases
•presentation
•word processing

I will take up this course after my third year at Birbeck, this is a more appropriate approach because my focus will be on passing that course alone, without having to worry about other assignment due dates.

Updating IT Skills (Useful Sources)

Information Technology is ever evolving, but thankfully there are various sources to help individuals update their skills, best of many of them are free of charge.
I found out that my local community centre runs a weekly class for set ages to participate in a hands-on lecture of how to use Internet and Microsoft basic programmes, such as Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

The Directgov website offers a lot of help for those that want to gain, improve or advance their IT skills. They provide numbers to call for over phone assistance and even make provision to book a learning adviser to meet for face to face discussions based on where you are now with IT and where you want to go. The site lists various short courses available for study and the relevant details via hyperlink.

Directgov, Improving your computer and IT skills, [Online], Available:
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/ImprovingYourSkills/DG_10037436

[25 March 2010]

Introduction to Blogging (Session 1)

Today I created my very own academic Blog page, this isn't new to me so I had breezed through it quite easily. I own various types of blogs on the internet, from a Films blog for reviewing movies to a Vlog (video blog) on youtube mainly used to encourage young ladies through various topics. However it was a lot of fun designing the page, although I would've loved to be a bit more creative with animations and blog background themes.

Advanced Web Searching (Session 5)

What a beneficial class!!! Today I learnt how to use the advanced feature on search engines. This was the lesson I had been looking forward to, I used this technique to seach for HTML tutorials, there were a large amount of specific results, which I have saved the webpages and will use at later date.

Introduction to Excel (Session 4)

I didn't need to attend this particual lecture, as over the years I've had many opportunities to use and become familiar with the computer programm Excel.
In my last place of employment, part of my role was to use Excel to calucate invoices, Organise and arrange employees details.

PowerPoint Tutorial (Session 2)

The session today was great!
I received a 'Software made simple guide' in which gives helpful tips and screen shots to make following instructions easy. For the first time I was able to download a Theme online and apply it to all slides, this has broadened my design coast, now I can be alot more creative with slides with the wider variety of choice on the Net.