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Computers - Fall 2013 Courses
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 S14CM01 - Personal Computers for Beginners
This course is designed for those individuals with little or no computer experience. We’ll proceed slowly, one step at a time, and use a combination of lecture and hands-on to learn how the computer works and what it can do for you. This course will introduce you to four key elements of today’s computers: how the computer works; what an operating system is and why you need it; some of the most commonly used word processing and utility programs; and how to access and surf the internet, use email, and deal with spam and/or virus problems.
Scott McKeown has over 15 years of computer software and hardware experience and is a Senior Network Administrator.
“The class had a very relaxed atmosphere,
not at all intimidating.” ... “Scott taught us using
the ‘step-by-step’ method.”
February 26 - April 16 7 weeks/21 hours
Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (No class April 2) Course Fee: $285
 S14CM02 - Microsoft Office 2010 Basics
This course is designed for computer beginners - no previous experience with Microsoft Office is necessary. The course will cover the basics of MS Windows, the operating system for personal computers (creating and working with files and folders), Word (word processing), Excel (spreadsheets and charts) and PowerPoint (presentations and slide shows).
Note: Solid mouse skills and a typing speed of at least 20 wpm is strongly recommended.
Textbook required. Title - Teach Yourself VISUALLY Office 2010 (paperback), Author - Kate Shoup, Publisher - Visual; 1 edition, ISBN - 0470571934.
Steele Shane has been a computer trainer since 1980 and has taught Microsoft classes for various companies including Clark University Computer Career Institute.
“I appreciated being among people who also wanted to learn and were starting out, like me.” ... “The hands-on computer
experience was excellent. It is a great way to learn.”
March 4 - April 29 7 weeks/21 hours
Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $325
 S14CM03 - Excel 2010 Basics
Microsoft Excel gives you the ability to organize data, perform calculations and graph your data in eye-catching and easy-to-understand graphs, charts, or reports. This introductory class will cover the basic and most commonly used features of Excel. It is a hands-on class and students will have the ability to learn at their own pace. Topics covered in class include creating spreadsheets; using formulas and functions; editing data; formatting; charting; controlling access to information; sorting and filtering lists; and some pivot table basics.
Note: Windows experience, mouse skills, and 20 wpm keyboarding speed are required.
Textbook required. Title - Teach Yourself VISUALLY Office 2010 (paperback), Author - Kate Shoup, Publisher - Visual; 1 edition, ISBN - 0470571934.
Steele Shane has been a computer trainer since 1980 and has taught Microsoft classes for various companies including Clark University Computer Career Institute.
“Instructor was very one-on-one with students who needed it.” “It was a very hands-on learning environment.”
February 27 - April 10 7 weeks/21 hours
Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $325
 S14CM06 - Excel Beyond the Basics: Pivot Tables and Charts
PivotTables allow you to arrange information quickly and efficiently so you can examine it from various perspectives. Some of the topics covered in this class will be: creating and building PivotTables; creating and working with field settings; grouping and using data in PivotTables; determining when to use a PivotTable vs. other Excel tools; and creating and using Pivot Charts.
Note: Students should have a working knowledge of Excel.
Amy Asman is a Finance Manager with Staples. She uses and has taught the full Microsoft Office Suite including Excel Pivot Tables.
March 6 - March 13 2 weeks/6 hours
Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $110
 S14CM10 - Apple Mac Basics
This course will give you an easy-to-understand introduction to the Apple Mac computer. Whether you are using a Mac for business or pleasure, or whether you have come to the Mac from a PC background, this course will show you all you need to know to work on your Mac on a daily basis. Topics include the Dock, the OS X operating system, Mac Utilities, Finder, email and internet and other Mac essentials.
Deborah Harper has been working on the Macintosh platform as a graphic designer for 30+ years.
“I learned so much about my new MacBook!” … “I no longer feel intimidated by my Mac.”
February 26 - March 26 (No class March 5) NOTE NEW DATES 4 weeks/8 hours
Wednesdays, 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM Course Fee: $120
 S14CM12 - Computerized Accounting with QuickBooks 2013
Learn how to automate your business and become more productive with QuickBooks. This class is for those with basic bookkeeping knowledge or work experience and will include learning how to convert your existing manual accounting system into a computerized system; entering customers, vendors, and current data from your existing system; setting up bills, invoices, and payroll; learning by using a realistic business accounting simulation with hands-on training; and customizing a chart of accounts to give you meaningful financial reporting. (Course fee includes official QuickBooks text plus DVD with four-month trial software.)
Leona van der Meer is a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor and runs her own bookkeeping practice in Uxbridge, MA. She has over 20 years of experience in bookkeeping, accounting and taxation.
“I appreciated the instructional book,
the disc, and definitely the instructor!”
February 27 - April 17 8 weeks/24 hours
Thursdays, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Course Fee: $399
 S14CM13 - SolidWorks: 3D CAD Basics
Take your CAD skills into the third dimension with the industry standard Solid Modeler SolidWorks 2013. You’ll learn to model 3D parts and assemblies and generate engineering drawings according to best practices. The goal of this course is to get you well on your way to being a SolidWorks professional.
This requires your active participation: a minimum of six hours a week of practice outside the classroom for which you will be given access to student SolidWorks software for installation on your home PC.
Prerequisites: Students must be able to navigate between directories in Microsoft Windows and create and save files. Prior experience with another CAD package is helpful.
Textbook required. Title - Engineering Design with SolidWorks 2013, Author - David Planchard, Marie Planchard, Publisher - SDC Publications, Pap/DVD edition, ISBN - 158503777X.
David Elliott is a Mechanical Engineer with design and manufacturing experience in a range of industries including aerospace, medical devices, and optics who has taught SolidWorks since 2003.
February 25 - May 13 10 weeks/30 hours Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM (No class March 25 and April 22) Course Fee: $410
 S14CM15 - Using Graphic Design to Pop Your Projects
This course introduces students to graphic design concepts in visual communication using type, image, form and color to convey your message. We will explore the basic tools and palettes in Adobe InDesign, Adobe Illustrator and Adobe Photoshop CS6 and you will gain practical and useful advice on how to use these programs to create a poster, logo, business card, brochure and print ad. With an understanding of graphic design, your projects will be more professional and artistic in appearance.
Note: Please bring a three-ring binder and a sketchbook to class.
Dennis Whitney worked for 13 years in the advertising and print publishing industry before becoming a teacher. His projects have included corporate identity, catalog design, outdoor advertising, trade show design, car wraps, and package design.
“I learned some new tools in Illustrator that I needed for use at work.” ... “Instructor has industry
experience so the course was relevant to graphics in the workplace.”
February 25 - April 29 (No class March 25 and April 22) NOTE NEW DATE 8 weeks/24 hours
Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $299
 S14CM16 - Adobe Photoshop Basics
Designed for the beginner Photoshop user who wants to learn the photo manipulation techniques of the pros, this course will help users establish a working knowledge of the basics of Photoshop so they can explore this multi-faceted software at their own speed. We will cover such topics as correcting and enhancing digital photographs, working with selections, typography, layers, masks, channels, filters, and effects. As you learn more about Photoshop, you may find yourself becoming inspired to start new projects. Bring these into class to work on during your practice time.
Note: Students should have basic working knowledge and familiarity with computers.
Textbook optional but is recommended. Title -, Adobe Photoshop CS6 Classroom in a Book (paperback)Author - Adobe Creative Team, Publisher - Adobe Press; 1 edition, ISBN - 0321827333.
Michael Koykka is an award-winning graphic designer, illustrator, and webmaster with 19 years of Photoshop experience. He is an Adobe Authorized Print Service Provider and is a graduate of the Adobe SuperPro training program.
“Learned everything I wanted and then some.” ... “I was glad to learn about layers and finally understand their importance.”
February 27 - April 10 7 weeks/21 hours Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $320
 S14CM18 - HTML and Website Design
This course is geared towards people who have never worked with HTML or who have experimented with it but not completely learned it. The focus is on website structure, webpage design, and project management. At the beginning of the course, you will create your own web-based resume. Later in the course, you will build a more sophisticated web site that resembles those built for business or organizations. Topics include how websites work on the Internet; planning the HTML project, creating HTML files, working with an HTML editor; using HTML tags; creating lists, tables, forms, and links; adding images and image maps; using frames, styles, and cascading style sheets; and publishing and updating web pages.
Note: Students should have basic computer skills. Home internet access is recommended but not required.
David MacMillan is a Clark CCI Certified Web Developer and a Microsoft Certified Professional. His professional experience includes Web and Application Development, Software Quality Assurance and Technical Support.
“Class answered many questions about how websites worked.” “I learned the fundamentals of HTML and web page design.”
February 27 - April 17 8 weeks/24 hours
Thursdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $299
 S14CM19 - Sell It on eBay!
If you have valuable and unused items lying around your house or garage or you have a business that could benefit from selling products in an online marketplace, do what millions of people around the world are doing - sell it on eBay! This course will concentrate on aspects of selling on eBay consisting of taking photos of your items, listing items for sale, providing customer service, packing, shipping, and feedback ratings, among other topics.
Prerequisite: Students should be registered as eBay users and comfortable using an internet browser.
Karen DaSilva has a Masters degree from Bentley College and is a senior software engineer for a software company in West-boro. She has been buying and selling items on eBay since 1998.
“The handouts were detailed and a great reference for home use.” ... “Simple to follow, good examples.”
March 18 (NOTE DATE CHANGE) 1 night/2.5 hours Tuesday, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Course Fee: $49
 S14CM20 - Buy It on eBay!
If you are a hobbyist, collector or dealer who wants to add to your collection, or you dread driving to the mall and wasting all that time, do what millions of people around the world are doing - buy it on eBay! You can find unique items and get great deals at the same time. This class will cover registration, site navigation, advanced searching, how to find deals, PayPal, buying and providing feedback.
Prerequisite: Students should be registered as eBay users and comfortable using an internet browser.
Karen DaSilva has a Masters degree from Bentley College and is a senior software engineer for a software company in Westboro. She has been buying and selling items on eBay since 1998.
“This was an interactive class with live examples.” ... “Great information and presentation.”
March 4 1 night/2.5 hours Tuesday, 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM Course Fee: $49
 S14CM22 - Facebook for Beginners
Facebook has become the best way to communicate, especially if you have family scattered around the country. You can see what your family or friends are up to and what they want to share - pictures, comments, events, etc. It’s like there’s no distance separating you. If you are concerned about privacy issues, Facebook added controls that let you choose which friends see what information about you. Your college friends can see one version of your profile, your neighborhood friends another, and your family yet another.
We’ll walk you through getting started; finding friends; creating a profile; sending private messages; finding your way around Facebook; creating social events (such as holiday parties); other popular features (photo albums, events, liking pages, etc.); and ensuring your privacy and security on Facebook.
Jennifer Ferrari has been using Facebook since its inception in 2004 and has had years of experience educating students in basic and advanced Facebook applications and features.
“Glad to finally learn my way around Facebook.” ... “We got step-by-step instructions to create a Facebook page.”
March 3 1 night/3 hours
Monday, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $55
 S14CM23 - Learn Your Apple iPhone
This three-hour, hands-on workshop will familiarize you with iPhone essentials and teach you how to get the most from your phone. We will cover, among other topics, keyboard tricks, apps, contacts, email, events and reminders, playlists, Facetime, and customizing Siri to do all sorts of great things for you.
Michael Cole, B.A. in Communications, has been using Apple products since the '90s and trains employees how to use iPhones, among other products, at Verizon Wireless. He is currently working on his Masters.
March 4 1 night/3 hours
Tuesday, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $55
 S14CM25 - Really Useful iPad Tips
The iPad doesn’t come with a user’s manual and not everything is intuitive, so most iPad users miss out on a lot of features. It can be frustrating and aggravating when you are starting out. We will teach you some very useful tips that will help you enjoy your iPad. Topics included in this class will be: touching the iPad, using gestures, syncing files, searching for apps, saving images and creating folders, configuring your iPad, the iPad camera, connecting to an external display, speeding from app to app and splitting the iPad’s on-screen keyboard in two, etc.
Karen DaSilva has a Masters degree from Bentley College and is a senior software engineer for a software company in Westboro, MA.
“Lots of great and unexpected tips.” ... “This class gave me more info on the ability of the iPad to link with phones, desktops, new apps to use, etc.”
March 20 (NOTE NEW DATE) 1 night/3 hours
Thursday, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $49
 S14CM27 - Microsoft PowerPoint 2010
PowerPoint is easy and user-friendly and can make the critical difference in whether your presentation is a hit or a miss. At the end of this workshop, you will be able to create dynamic presentations containing formatted text, backgrounds, basic animation and simple graphics, along with some of the more advanced features. We’ll also discuss PowerPoint’s templates, tips and wizards.
Note: A familiarity with MS Windows is recommended before taking this course.
Harrison Fisher is an Assabet alumnus. He is well versed in PowerPoint and a Computer Science major at Worcester State College.
March 8 1 Saturday/4 hours
Saturday, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Course Fee: $99
S14CM29 - Google Apps
Learn to use Google in a new collaborative way. We’ll start with Google Apps, which are very similar to MS Office applications. Then we’ll learn to use Drive to share what you create, maintain your web based calendar and share calendars with coworkers via the web. We’ll discuss using Forms to gather feedback and learn new tips for GMail. Start getting the most out of Google!
Jennifer Richards, B.S. in Management Information Systems, is a technology consultant with more than 10 years of experience teaching students how to get the most out of their software products.
February 25 - March 18 4 weeks/12 hours
Tuesdays, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $175
S14CM30 - Adobe Photoshop CS6 Beyond Basics
Experienced Photoshop users can go beyond the basics in this class designed to take your skills up a notch. Some of the topics covered will be learning how to nondestructively burn and dodge your photo; how to paint your selections with a brush; and how to use the liquefy and vanishing point filters. Discover Photoshop’s new blurring techniques, erodible brushes and more.
rerequisite: Class limited to students who have taken an Assabet Photoshop course within the last five years or who have equivalent experience using Photoshop or Photoshop Elements.
Michael Koykka is an award-winning graphic designer, illustrator, and webmaster with 19 years of Photoshop experience. He is an Adobe Authorized Print Service Provider and is a graduate of the Adobe SuperPro training program.
April 17 1 night/3 hours
Thursday, 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Course Fee: $55
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