Computer Skills for the Workplace

In this lesson, we'll discuss more details about the spreadsheet, and how to provide easy-to-understand, accurate data. You'll learn how to build graphs that can graphically display numeric information so you can easily demonstrate trends, analyze past results, and predict future performance. You'll also find out how to use some advanced spreadsheet tools that can make your spreadsheets even more effective.

During this lesson, we'll examine the components of a database, focusing primarily on the user interface. In your job, you might use this interface to perform a lot of different functions, including data input, data output, and data maintenance. Clerks work with databases to input information. Other employees might work with databases to filter, sort, and read information. Database-management personnel interface with databases to keep them accurate, reliable, and secure.

PowerPoint is an important tool for creating presentations suitable for the work environment. This powerful program has many features, but they must be used correctly or else your audience will be distracted or overloaded. In this lesson, we'll explore the best ways to create an effective presentation that incorporates the right mix of multimedia. You'll learn how to insert graphics and audio into your presentation in an effective and organized manner.

The suite of Microsoft Office products includes Excel and Access, which are both very powerful on their own. In this lesson, you are going to learn how to actually integrate information from one program to the other. You can create data lists with either program and easily transfer the information to the other. Considering all the work we do with lists on the computer, this is a very important skill in today's work environment. Plus, you'll find out how mail merge can save you time and effort by allowing you to customize letters, labels, and more!

In today's lesson, we're going to have fun working with the Internet. This is the greatest source of information you'll ever have access to—yet it can be confusing and overwhelming if you are not familiar with the basic Internet tools. You'll really enjoy seeing how easy it is to find information that specifically meets your needs and interests.

Today, we'll go over various methods for transferring information from one computer to another. We'll explore different terms used to describe the volume of information—or size of a file—and then learn how to most effectively and efficiently move that data from place to place. You'll learn about bytes, megabytes, memory sticks, and external hard drives.

In our final lesson, we will focus on putting all your new knowledge to work! We have three specific goals. The first is to identify ways to use your computer skills to find a new job. The second is to use those same computer skills to get a promotion within your current organization. Our third goal is to explore strategies for continued learning in order to support your ever-growing employment goals.

Instructor-Moderated: Students enrolled in a six-week online class benefit from a one-time, 10-day extension for each course. No further extensions can be provided beyond these 10 days.​

Self-Guided: Because this course is self-guided, no extensions will be granted after the start of your enrollment.

Being computer literate, meaning you have basic computer skills, is considered one of the most important skills you can possess. As companies become more and more dependent on computers and technology, employers want their workers to possess these basic skills.

Some of the most important basic computer skills to have include the ability to type and use email. You'll also need the ability to use the Internet and potentially some knowledge of social media sites. In addition, you should understand how to use popular software and basic computer tools found in nearly every office in the world including: word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software.

Absolutely! Having basic computer skills can make doing your job easier. If you're looking to grow in your current role or in the market for a new job, employers are expecting you to possess these skills. Taking a course like Computer Skills for Workplace will help you gain proficiency on the computer and give you confidence as you work to perform tasks on the job.

Companies rely on computers to help their business for many reasons. Computers provide speed and accuracy in calculations, and they also store information that can be retrieved as it is needed. Computers allow us to do research by accessing billions of websites with the click of a button. Computers also allow us to create professional reports and documents as well as communicate with one another. They also can perform repetitive operations and operations based on simple logic to automate processes. Computers have become essential business tools as workers strive to do more in less time and for less money.

If the people inside your company do not currently use computers, then this may not be the course for you. However, your company may not always be void of computers, and you can be ready when the change toward technology occurs by completing this course. You will also be better prepared to obtain a new job if you decide to switch companies or industries.

Yes. Gaining the basic computer skills taught in this course will also help you in your personal life. After this course, you will be able to better communicate with others, use the Internet, keep track of your personal finances in spreadsheets, create documents in word processing software, and more. You'll even learn how to set up your own computer at home.