Course Content
1. Hardware and Software
This section will deal with computers (and other peripherals) and their components. It is imperative that we understand what constitutes a computer in order to understand how to work with them. Understanding the parts that make up a computer will lead to an understanding of how a computer works as a whole. In this section, we will "demystify" the inner workings of a computer, which we usually don't fully understand. Once you have deconstructed the inside of the computer in its entirety, you will feel more confident to continue your quest for digital skills because you will understand the so-called "tangible" parts of the machine and will be able to better locate the different operations on one's computer or other devices. This section will not deal with the inner workings of all the different electronic devices that exist (smartphones, tablets, games consoles etc.) as there are too many of them. However, they all have very similar components and functions to a computer. In this section, we will introduce the basics of hardware and software as well as the basics of connectivity.
2. The basics of problem-solving
This part deals with the basic tasks to be done with a computer to avoid issues or to solve basic problems we can encounter when using a computer: searching for space (disk) on the computer, making sure the computer's software is updated… These topics combined will enable you to use the computer independently and with confidence.
3. Business Tool: Microsoft Office
How can we talk about the basics of ICT without mentioning the Microsoft Office Suite! Microsoft Office is a set of office applications tools. It can be used on a computer, tablet or mobile. Among these tools, it offers several possibilities, each with its own use and particularities: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, One Note or Outlook. This software allows you to work faster and more efficiently on your business tasks and to improve your own documents. In the field of “office” tools, Microsoft Office is the must-have suite for most companies or home users, even if we have to pay for it. However, there are other free alternatives such as Open Office (including LibreOffice) which can also be a solution for beginners. But, later on, using this free option may create compatibility problems between certain document formats. In addition, the functions are limited compared to Microsoft Office. The Google collaborative tool (GoogleDoc, GoogleSheet…) is also one of those free alternatives that can be a good compromise between the two. By the way, if you want to know more about this last tool, it will be developed in another module!
Final Quiz
References
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5.1
3.1 Microsoft Word
Let’s start with Word! This tool has different functions, but it is particularly used in word processing tasks: creating and formatting a document. Showing off your work through an elegant and clear layout, well-chosen colours, highlighting certain points, will allow you to provide quality content that will enhance your business.
When you are an entrepreneur, this software will be very useful for various administrative tasks: writing official documents, work contracts, guidelines, annual reports, toolkit or official letters.
To learn the basics of Word, we suggest you watch this video. It will give you the keys to better understand how this tool works.
Beginner’s Guide to Microsoft Word (18:30 min)
Now that the basics have been covered, it’s time to practice what you’ve learned in the video!
Training is the key! And this advice applies to all these modules. The more you practise, the more comfortable you will be with the software, the more creative you will be in your documents.
Don’t forget to save your work by clicking on “Save” in the “File” menu or by holding down the CTRL key and the S key on your keyboard!
Activity: Discovering Microsoft Word (10 min)
The goal of this activity is to lay out a text according to specific guidelines. The aim here is to master the various basic tools (changing the font, changing the colour, etc…). If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to review parts of the video.
Locate Microsoft Word on your computer and open a new document.
Type the following text:
“My New Year’s resolution last year was to write down three moments of joy before I went to bed each night. This very simple thing has changed my life. Because I realize I used to go to bed every night thinking about what I did wrong and what I was going to do wrong the next day. Now I go to sleep thinking of what went right. And when those moments of joy happen throughout the day, I notice them more because I know they’ll make the notebook. Try it…”
Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, Commencement Speech at Virginia Tech (2017)
Did you know that there is a quicker way to rewrite text without completely rewriting it? Select the text, right-click and select “copy”. Then, place your cursor where you want to insert the text, right-click and select “paste”. There are also keyboard shortcuts: “CTRL+C” for “copy”, “CTRL+V” for “paste”.
Italicise the text and justify it.
Underline the title of the text.
Bold the author’s name.
Increase the font size to 14.
Change the font style to one of your choices.
Adjust the line spacing to 2.0.
Use “Save as” to save your document on your computer desktop. Name the document “Commencement Speech at Virginia Tech by Sheryl Sandberg”.
Insert a picture onto your document (find an image from the internet, and save it on your computer desktop).
Add a numbered list with your top three favourite business women.
Add a table of 2 columns and two rows. The first column will be entitled “Opportunities” and the second column will be entitled “Challenges”. You will note the opportunities and challenges of starting a business.
Save your work.
Export the document in pdf format.
Activity: Do you recognise these tools? (5 min)
In this new activity, you will have to recognise and explain the functions of the following commands, which you can find in Word. If you have any problems, don’t hesitate to review parts of the video.