Suggestions for High School Computer Elective

[sue]

I am looking for a computer elective for high school. I looked at CLE Computer Basics...it doesn't seem to teach how to do things on the computer, but just basic info., and the book can be used without a computer. I'd like for my daughter to learn how to use a computer and learn how to do spreadsheets, power point, etc. Any advice?

[Grace is Sufficient]

If you can afford it, the class from The Potter's School is very good. I think it's called Office Applications. They cover Word, Excel and Powerpoint.

[jelbe5]

Not sure if this is helpful for you, but we are planning on purchasing a newer Mac laptop computer for my dh and myself and passing our current Mac laptop to my dd who is a rising 9th grader. I have several manuals for the computer and I plan to have my dd read and work through them at her own pace. That is part of the "deal" for having her "own" laptop. You might want to take a trip to your local library or computer store to check out the current books for your computer . . . there are so many great manuals out there geared for the computer savvy and the not-so-computer savvy. Just a thought.

Sometimes a computer has a built in tutorial for the various applications. This alone could be very helpful for a beginner.

[debbiec]

Here is an online computer class (http://www.css.msu.edu/webclass.html) from MSU which came recommended to me.

It's $50.00 for the college non-credit on line class at Michigan State (go at your own pace). Be sure to look at the "Home Computing" course.

It looks like it covers everthing you want it to.

[NancyL]

Thanks Jane- the home computing course looks fabulous-- and what a deal for $50. I'd be happy if I could get 1/2 of the topics learned!

Did the person you know get through the whole course?

[Harrison_B]

If you don't mind creating your own self-design computer course, I would recommend using "Creating a Presentation in Microsoft Office PowerPoint 2007 for Windows" by Tom Negrino (Cost $17.00 @ B&N). This book gives you a wonderful overview and usage of PowerPoint. You might be able to incorporate the presentation with another subject. Another great PowerPoint book is called "Beyond Bullets" by Cliff Atkinson. It doesn' show you how to use the software; but, it does help you present material on PowerPoint in a more enjoyable fashion.

[debbiec]

Yes, and they knew several other people that did it to and throught it was worthwhile.

[GVA]

For a fairly light overview, this is a decent set of lessons -- http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/index.html. She has not updated them for Office 2007, but you could manage.

Or I've taught basic computer literacy courses for the last ten years at two community colleges and these are the texts I've used. There are files on the publishers website for doing the exercises, and they're widely available used on Amazon and other used textbook sites. I'm currently using the second Office 2007 one with my 12-year-old and he's doing great.

Office 2003 -- Microsoft Office 2003 Illustrated Microsoft Windows XP Edition (Brief), Marjorie Hunt and Mike Halvorson, ISBN 1-4188-6040-9.

Office 2007 -- Microsoft Office 2007 Illustrated (Brief), Marjorie Hunt and Barbara Waxer, ISBN 1-4239-0516-4. Or we just went to this edition for the summer session that has a DVD, Microsoft Office 2007 Illustrated (Brief Premium Video Edition), Marjorie Hunt and Barbara Waxer, ISBN 1-4390-3789-2. They're the same text.
HTH!