IT Skills for Office Workers: Beginner’s Guide to Productivity Tools and Tasks
Syllabus for IT Skills for Office Workers (Beginner Level)
Course Title: IT Skills for Office Work: Essential Tools for Productivity
Duration: 8 Weeks
Prerequisites: None
Course Objective:
This course aims to provide beginners with the foundational IT skills required to perform common office tasks efficiently. It covers essential productivity tools, basic digital literacy, and effective use of office software to enhance work performance in a professional environment.
Course Outline
Week 1: Introduction to Computers and IT
- Understanding the Role of IT in Modern Offices
- Introduction to Computer Hardware and Software
- Basic Computer Functions: Powering On, Logging In, and Shutting Down
- Introduction to Operating Systems (Windows/Mac OS)
- Basic File Management: Creating, Saving, and Organizing Files and Folders
- Introduction to Computer Security: Strong Passwords and Antivirus Software
Week 2: Navigating the Operating System and File Management
- Exploring the Desktop, Start Menu, and Taskbar
- Managing Files and Folders Using File Explorer (Windows) or Finder (Mac)
- Basic File Operations: Copy, Cut, Paste, Delete, Rename
- Creating, Moving, and Organizing Folders for Better File Management
- Searching Files Efficiently on Your Computer
- Using Cloud Storage for File Backup and Sharing (Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox)
Week 3: Introduction to Microsoft Word for Office Tasks
- Introduction to Microsoft Word: Understanding the Interface
- Creating, Formatting, and Saving Documents
- Text Formatting: Fonts, Size, Bold, Italics, Underline, Color
- Paragraph Formatting: Alignment, Line Spacing, Indentation
- Inserting and Formatting Images, Tables, and Lists
- Creating and Using Templates for Common Office Documents
- Printing and Saving Documents as PDFs
Week 4: Introduction to Microsoft Excel for Office Tasks
- Introduction to Microsoft Excel: Understanding the Interface
- Basic Excel Functions: Cells, Rows, Columns, and Sheets
- Entering Data: Text, Numbers, and Dates
- Basic Formulas and Functions: SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX
- Formatting Cells: Font, Alignment, Borders, and Number Formatting
- Creating Simple Charts and Graphs
- Sorting and Filtering Data
Week 5: Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint for Office Presentations
- Introduction to Microsoft PowerPoint: Understanding the Interface
- Creating, Saving, and Presenting Slides
- Inserting Text, Images, and Shapes into Slides
- Using Slide Layouts and Themes for Consistent Design
- Animations and Transitions: Enhancing Presentations
- Basic Presentation Tips: Fonts, Colors, and Visual Appeal
- Sharing and Printing PowerPoint Presentations
Week 6: Email and Communication Tools
- Introduction to Email: Setting Up an Email Account (Outlook, Gmail)
- Composing, Sending, and Replying to Emails
- Organizing Emails with Folders, Labels, and Filters
- Using CC and BCC for Professional Email Etiquette
- Attaching Files and Using Email Signatures
- Introduction to Calendar and Scheduling Tools (Outlook Calendar, Google Calendar)
- Setting Up and Managing Appointments and Meetings
Week 7: Introduction to Internet Browsing and Online Research
- Understanding Web Browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox, Safari)
- Searching the Web Effectively: Using Google Search and Other Search Engines
- Evaluating Sources for Credibility and Relevance
- Managing Bookmarks and Favourites for Easy Access
- Understanding and Managing Browser Tabs and Windows
- Introduction to Online Safety: Avoiding Phishing, Malware, and Scams
- Using Online Collaboration Tools (Google Docs, Microsoft Office 365)
Week 8: Collaboration Tools and Office Productivity
- Introduction to Cloud-based Collaboration Tools (Google Workspace, Microsoft Office 365)
- Real-time Collaboration on Documents: Google Docs and Microsoft Word Online
- Working with Shared Folders: Google Drive and OneDrive
- Introduction to Online Meetings and Video Conferencing Tools (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Google Meet)
- Setting Up and Joining Virtual Meetings
- Using Instant Messaging and Chat Tools for Office Communication (Slack, Microsoft Teams)
- Basic Data Security for Cloud-based Collaboration
- Productivity Tips and Tricks for Office Work: Keyboard Shortcuts, Time Management Tools
- Final Assessment: Completing a Set of Office Tasks Using the Tools Learned
Assessment:
- Weekly Quizzes on concepts covered in the class
- Hands-on Assignments: Practical tasks using Microsoft Office and collaboration tools
- Midterm Project: Create a sample office document (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) based on real-world tasks
- Final Project: Submit a final task using the tools learned (e.g., an email with attachments, a PowerPoint presentation, and a collaborative document)
- Final Exam: Multiple-choice and practical exam covering all topics
References:
- “Microsoft Office 365 for Beginners” by Cengage Learning
- “Microsoft Office 2019: The Ultimate Guide” by Kevin Wilson
- Online resources: LinkedIn Learning, Coursera, Microsoft Office Training Center
- Tutorials from Microsoft Office Help: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office
Learning Outcomes:
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Navigate and organize files efficiently using the operating system.
- Use Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for common office tasks.
- Communicate effectively via email and online messaging tools.
- Collaborate with colleagues using cloud storage and online productivity tools.
- Stay safe and productive while using digital tools in a professional office environment.