Make
selective use of IT (mandatory)
- 25 points
You will do this module last when you have completed the others. Within this module you reflect on 4 of the tasks you have done within your ITQ and consider how you could improve them, why you chose the software applications you did to create them in, how well were they received by the person they were intended for and generally consider how you could improve the presentation of these tasks in the future.
Speciality
or bespoke software -
20 Points
As you are undertaking an IT user qualification we expect you to use our online e-portfolio software to eliminate the need for any paperwork or manual records! The online e-portfolio includes an assessment tool to help you choose your modules and plan your training, a training booking facility, a place to log your learning hours, an area where you can download course material, pod casts, sample tasks examples of other candidates work. You are also able to upload your evidence files for our trainers to assess and feed back to you without the need to print or post anything to us or the examination awarding body.
GETTING STARTED MODULES
Using
IT systems -
15 Points
This module is designed for use by people who are new users to IT and may need to use IT as part of their job role or are thinking about buying a pc for home use.
This module covers understanding the main components of a computer, setting up a computer, linking a compute to other hardware safely, taking back ups of data, installing and downloading software, choices of storage media, understanding of viruses and health and safety issues.
Use IT to
exchange information -
15 Points
This module looks at sending and receiving information using the internet at a basic level. It is designed for new users and covers using a computer for e-mail and internet options.
For e-mail this module includes creating an e-mail account, sending and receiving e-mails, prioritising e-mails, sending messages to groups of people, using attachments, organising e-mail. For internets this module looks at basic searches and different search engines and using an internet browser.
‘TECHNICAL’ MODULES FOR USERS
Operate a
computer -
20 Points
This module is suitable for people whose role it is to setup hardware for others or for those who wish to be more competent in setting up and understanding their own PC configurations at home or work.
The module covers computer hardware, connecting a computer, overview of operating and applications software, changing basic computer settings, managing files, understanding networks, using storage devices, compatibility issues, health and safety issues.
IT Trouble
shooting for users -
15 Points
This module is suitable for people who would like to be able to solve most types of routine computer errors at home or work such as faulty cable connections, broken mouse, viruses, frozen computers and software errors. It is intended for p.c. users not technical support staff to help them ask the right questions and go through some routine checks to try and resolve basic errors.
This module covers troubleshooting a ‘frozen’ computer, understanding and designing a checklist for troubleshooting your p.c., common error messages, detect and repair tools in the software, getting help within an application and updating/downloading software.
IT maintenance
for users -
15 Points
This module is suitable for people who don’t have to maintain and clean their equipment and need to be able to do this themselves or for others at home or at work to prevent problems occurring with your computer. You will be able to organise your files, back-up data, clean computer hardware and printers and use tools such as defragmenter to speed up the software on the computer. You will also understand what is involved in upgrading hardware and software and be aware of the health and safety issues when using a computer.
This module covers cleaning your computer including the mouse and printer, changing the printer cartridge, carrying out routine printer maintenance, general housekeeping of files, varying save options in MS Office, ‘cleaning’ the hard disk, health and safety issues for the computer and user, upgrading hardware and software.
IT security
for users -
15 Points
This module is suitable for people who are responsible for the security of data on their own computer at work or home. You will be aware of what security risks there are and can select and use appropriate methods to keep security risks to a minimum to protect software and data and to control access to data. You will understand how to protect data when exchanging information by e-mail or when downloading information from the internet. You will also learn about the laws and guidelines that affect the use of IT.
This module covers controlling access to your computer and files, backing up data, laptop security, hardware security, understanding different types of viruses, installing and using anti-virus software, blocking span e-mails, downloading software from the internet securely, keeping software up-to-date, firewalls, laws and guidelines, spam, other privacy thefts including hackers.
JOB SPECIFIC MODULES
Artwork
and Imaging Software -
20 Points
This module is suitable for people who need to create and modify artwork and images for printing or displaying on screen. You will probably work in a marketing, print design or and environment where there is a need to work with digital photographs and scanned images produced to high quality.
This module covers creating and editing artwork to produce images of good quality, understanding the image file formats that are appropriate for different media i.e. printing, web sites etc, changing colours, sharpening images, moving and removing parts of an image, working with drawn objects, working with images and using suitable file formats for different media.
Websites - 20
Points
This module is suitable for people who would like to know how to create a basic web site for home or work or just needs to update an existing company website with the information relevant to their job role/department, for example keeping the events/news page updated.
The module covers understanding how to plan, design and create a simple multi-page web site using existing Microsoft software, uploading (publishing) your web site to the web, using hyperlinks, maintaining and improving your web site.
Evaluate
the impact of IT -
15 Points
This module is designed for people who would like to know more about what modern day technology is available in the market place and evaluate what the benefits of that technology would be for their business or personal life.
The module covers the use of IT in general, how it is used to help people in their work and to help businesses become more efficient and profitable. It is also about how IT is changing our lives, mobile working, the use of on-line services such as banking, shopping and communication. You will learn about the difficulties some people have accessing IT and a general awareness of safety and security when using IT. Finally you will be aware of what sort of technology is readily available in the market place today, the future of technology and what you will need to do to improve your own IT skills to enable you to embrace new technology that may be relevant to you.
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MICROSOFT SOFTWARE MODULES
Word Processing - 20
Points
This module is suitable for people who need to create professional looking documents faster and better including indexed reports, mailings, newsletters etc. and generally improve their knowledge of word to help them use shortcuts and more of the software’s functionality to reduce the time it takes to create professional documents. In addition to enhancing users knowledge of word the module also looks at importing information from other documents into word such as charts from excel and graphics from the web.
This module includes creating and saving documents, storing and retrieving files using folders and file searches, print options such as automatically fitting text to one page, formatting and styles such as font, page numbering, indenting, indexing, bullets, borders, line spacing, managing page and section breaks, margins, headers and footers, page orientation, tabulations, tables, columns, pictures and graphics, symbols, autotext, text boxes, styles, templates, proofing tools, using shortcuts, inserting information from other software and creating mailings.
Spreadsheets
- 20
Points
This module is designed for people who need to create professional looking spreadsheets faster and better including creating new spreadsheets, editing and improving existing spreadsheets, creating better calculations, extracting information into charts and generally using excel more effectively by understanding more of the useful functionality within the software.
This module includes creating spreadsheets, editing existing spreadsheets, making the spreadsheet look more attractive and professional including borders, auto formats, colours, text alignment, formatting, headers and footers, page numbers, printing options and page breaks, formulas and functions including autosum, averages, count, percentages, built in functions, checking your spreadsheet for accuracy, sorting and extracting data and creating charts.
Databases
- 20
Points
You are likely to be in a role that involves modifying simple databases and have a need to create queries and reports from the database for yourself and others to use. A typical database could be of your customers or staff members where you have a lot of useful information inside the electronic ‘filing cabinet’ but its only useful if you can extract it in a meaningful way, for example how many employees do you have that could be due to retire in the next 5 years or what is the average order value of your customers and when did they last buy from you. This module includes understanding database structures and design, creating tables, forms, queries and reports. Sorting and extracting information, inserting new data fields, modifying existing forms, queries and reports, data accuracy and integrity.
Presentations Software - 20
Points
This module is suitable both for people who design their own presentations and for those who help design presentations for others to use. If you have ever watched a presenter read every bullet from a slide or have been so bored with the excessive use of slides you have missed the key message then this module will stop this happening to you. You will be given presentation tips from our own award winning professional speaker to help you avoid ‘death by PowerPoint’ by using the software more effectively for maximum impact and not rely on it entirely to do the presenting for you!
The module covers effective presenter skills and better use of the PowerPoint software. These include considering your audience and media, planning your presentation and understanding your key message, designing your presentation without PowerPoint, using PowerPoint for maximum impact including images, animation, slide transitions, speaker notes and printing options. There are two tasks required for this module the first being a good quality presentation that you have designed and the second considering who the presentation audience and reflecting on how well received the presentation was and what you could do differently to improve the communication and impact of your key message.
COMMUNCIATION MODULES
Internet and Intranets - 15
Points
This module is suitable for people who use the internet to search for and evaluate information at work or home and would like to understand about the internet, different ways of connecting to the internet, more efficient search tools, and customising their own ‘browser’ settings to improve the performance of the internet.
The module covers understanding the internet, how the internet began, how the internet works, internet traffic (how data travels across the internet), what is an intranet, different ways of connecting to the internet including mobile phones and PDA’s, searching and browsing (surfing) the internet more efficiently, customising your browser, managing temporary internet files and cookies, understanding search engines, advanced searching, evaluating search results and exchanging information via the internet ‘netiquette’.
E-mail - 15
Points
This module is suitable for people who regularly use e-mail and would like to use more effective e-mail functions to manage their e-mail traffic, locate e-mails and reduce the time spent on e-mail with features like automatic signatures, distribution lists, folder management, and compressing attachments.
This module covers the evolvement of e-mail, managing your e-mail with folders including automatically sending e-mail to folders, prioritising e-mails, deleting and archiving e-mails, finding messages quickly, using address books, virtual business cards and distribution lists, dealing with attachments so they don’t clog up your e-mail disk space, compressing attachments, requesting delivery and read receipts, setting message options, automatically checking your spelling, designing an automatic e-mail signature, formatting e-mails, e-mail ‘netiquette’ (rules), exchanging information, using a web based e-mail system, risks associated with e-mail including viruses, spam, junk or chain e-mails and understanding the law and e-mail.
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