Overview
Please note: This course is no longer offered as of July 2022.
We have 9 courses currently available; you can click on each course to see what they cover.
Courses
Getting Started in Computing
- Understand how a mouse interacts with a computer (Mousing Around Exercise)
- Understand what a computer is used for and the different types of computers
- Identify various hardware components and define Operating System vs Application Software
- Understand how a keyboard interacts with a computer and identify parts of the screen
- Understand File Management, Drive Terminology and Data Storage
- Create a new document and save it to a USB device
- Check a document for spelling and grammar mistakes
- Print a document
- Convert a Microsoft Word document into PDF.
- Understand Ergonomics and OOS
Keyboarding
You'll use TypingMaster Pro to teach you which fingers to use, giving you accuracy and speed with your typing. There are lots of typing exercises and drills.
Introduction to Internet and Email (incl. Outlook)
- Understand what the internet and the World Wide Web are and what you can access on the Web
- Understand how to be safe while using the Web
- Identify the different parts of a browser, access websites and use YouTube & Google Maps
- Understand how to use a Search Engine
- Practice good email etiquette
- Set up a Gmail account - send new emails, reply to emails, send attachments, forward emails, send links, add contacts and send appointments
- Access an Outlook account - send new emails, reply to emails, send attachments, forward emails, add contacts and send appointments
- Understand the basics of using Facebook & TradeMe
- Access websites that will assist you in your job search or upskilling
- Understand the basics of using Skype
- Understand how to connect to the internet and how to set up the internet at home
Introduction to Word 2016 Part 1
- Identify the different parts of the Microsoft Word screen
- Have a basic understanding of Microsoft Word terminology
- Understand File Management, Drive Terminology and Data Storage
- Create a new document and save it to a USB device
- Check a document for spelling and grammar mistakes
- Print a document
- Open existing documents
- Add content to existing documents and resave
- Know where to find MS Word help
- Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
- Add a Header & Footer to a document
- Convert a Microsoft Word document into PDF.
- Understand Ergonomics and OOS
Introduction to Word 2016 Part 2
- Rename, delete and move files and folders
- Edit and proofread existing documents
- Use the Cut, Copy and Paste functionality
- Change text formatting on Microsoft Word documents including changing the font, font size, bold, italic, underline, text colour.
- Change paragraph formatting on Microsoft Word documents including changing the alignment, bullets and numbering, line spacing, shading
- Insert Online Pictures, Online Video, Word Art and Shapes
- Insert Special Characters
- Create a document based on a finished product.
- Create a CV and Cover Letter based on a suggested format
Introduction to Excel 2016
- Identify the different parts of the Microsoft Excel screen
- Have a basic understanding of Microsoft Excel terminology
- Know where to find MS Excel help
- Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
- Create a new spreadsheet and save it to a USB device
- Print a spreadsheet
- Open existing spreadsheets
- Add content to and edit existing spreadsheets and resave
- Add borders and Merge & Center data
- Use the Autosum function and the Autofill tool
- Understand Font, Alignment & Number formatting
- Insert & delete rows and columns
- Insert, delete, rename, move and copy sheets
- Link sheets and use basic functions SUM, MAX, MIN, AVG
- Create basic charts
- Create spreadsheets based on a finished product
Introduction to Publisher 2016
- Identify the different parts of the Microsoft Publisher screen
- Have a basic understanding of Microsoft Publisher terminology
- Create a new publication and save it to a USB device
- Print a publication
- Open existing publications
- Add content to publications and resave
- Know where to find MS Publisher help
- Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
- Insert, resize, rotate, autofit, format and move Text Boxes
- Insert Pictures, Online Pictures, Word Art & Shapes
- Select, delete, add colour to, resize, rotate, group/ ungroup, layer and apply 3D & other effects to Objects
- Use templates and apply background patterns & colour schemes
- Insert building blocks including page parts, calendars, borders/ accents and ads
- Create publications based on a finished product
Introduction to PowerPoint 2016
- Identify the different parts of the Microsoft PowerPoint screen
- Have a basic understanding of Microsoft PowerPoint terminology
- Know where to find MS PowerPoint help
- Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
- Create a new presentation and save it to a USB device
- Print a presentation
- Open existing presentations
- Add content to and edit existing presentations and resave
- Use Normal, Slide Sorter, Reading, Slide Show, Presenter & Notes views
- Insert, delete and move slides
- Insert Pictures, Online Pictures, Online Video, Word Art & Shapes
- Add slide transitions and custom animation
- Create presentations based on a finished product
Introduction to Access 2016
- Understand what a database is and the advantages of storing information in a database
- Be able to give some examples of databases
- Identify the different parts of the Microsoft Access screen
- Have a basic understanding of Microsoft Access terminology
- Understand different types of databases (Flat file vs Relational Databases), database relationships and the definition of a Primary Key vs a Foreign Key
- Understand what Access Objects are (Tables, Queries, Forms & Reports) and how to open, close, rename and delete objects on the Navigation Pane
- Know where to find MS Access help
- Customize the Quick Access Toolbar
- Open existing databases
- Use existing Forms to navigate between records, add records, find & modify records, delete records, modify the form's design including adding & deleting fields to and from tables & modifying the forms accordingly.
- Design basic queries and use search criteria and parameter queries to get the required output
- Design basic reports and modify them; including adding logos, changing colours, adjusting column widths and fonts.
Enrolment duration
The enrolment duration for each course at our Free4U classrooms is 18 hours (apart from ‘Getting Started in Computing’ which is 15 hours) or 10 weeks; whichever comes first. However, students can finish before the allocated time.
There are no formal assessments, but to help your development you will receive a grade on each Free4U enrolment.
Staff
Fi Pillay: fpillay@unitec.ac.nz
Fi (from Niue Island) has been working at Unitec Free4U Computing since 2007 and was at MIT with FreeB Computing for 2 years before that. She is a mother of two boys and two girls, and has two grandchildren. Her interests include reading, Wasgij puzzles, George Michael, sports especially hockey, rugby, badminton and tennis. Her dislikes include cooking and cold weather.
Location and contact details
Building 510, Room 3031 (third floor)
Unitec Waitākere campus
5 Ratanui St
Henderson
Parking
You can travel to Waitākere campus by bus or train. Unitec also has a shuttle bus that goes between Mt. Albert and Waitākere campus (see shuttle timetable here).
If you’re driving, you can either park:
- In the Edmonton Rd carpark ($4 per day), or 2 hours free in another section of the carpark.
- In the Trading Place carpark ($1 per hour, or $3 per day with student ID card)
- Please don’t park at Westcity mall as you may incur a fine.