Overview

These days most of us ‘work’ from home one way or another. Home-based activities range from checking our e-mail or researching a topic of interest online through to running a full-time business. Young people too have their workstations for homework assignments and keeping in touch with friends.

This module is all about setting up a ‘home office’ and what you need to know – beyond simply buying a laptop and plugging it in.

In the course of this module you will learn

• What hardware and software you need for everyday use and to keep your computer running efficiently (and what comes packaged with your operating system may surprsie you);

• Basic applications that come packaged with your computer or which can be downloaded freely from the internet – and which could save you money;

• Terms and functions you need to know about including the central processor, the graphics card, peripherals and application programs – and how to keep them in top working order;

• How to use the features of the Windows desktop and control panel;

• Maintaining your computer – routine maintenance, registry problems and malware and backing up your data for safety;

• Useful (and free) applications; social networking, blogging, Skype and digital photography that you may want to investigate further on your own.

Whether for business or for pleasure, computers are playing an increasingly important role in our lives both in keeping in touch with people as well as for building our business or customer network. By working through the basics we will be building a checklist of all the things that will keep us working on our computer efficiently and effectively – and minimising any downtime as the result of aspects we have overlooked.

Participants will gain a broad understanding of the use and abuse of online social networking and how such networks can be used to enhance personal and business engagement. You will also learn some of the pitfalls to avoid.

Dr. Michael (Mike) Clancy

thecreativegenie@gmail.com