Course Title: Operate computing packages

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2010

Course Code: COSC5417C

Course Title: Operate computing packages

School: 130T Engineering (TAFE)

Campus: City Campus

Program: C6069 - Advanced Diploma of Engineering Technology

Course Contact : Leon Mattatia

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 99254668

Course Contact Email:leon.mattatia@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Mark Burns
Tel No: 9925 4604
Fax: 9925 4377
Email: mark.burns@rmit.edu.au

Nominal Hours: 60

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There may be benefit in concurrent learning with the following units:
• ICAU2005A Operate computer hardware
• ICAU2231A Use computer operating system. (or equivalent)

Course Description

This unit defines the competency required to identify, select and correctly operate three desktop applications for a
range of purposes.

This unit encompasses the following three units:
• ICAU1129A Operate a word processing application
• ICAU1130A Operate a spreadsheet application
• ICAU1131A Operate a database application.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

ICAU2006A Operate computing packages

Element:

1. Use appropriate software

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Select software appropriate to perform activity
1.2 Use software to produce required outcome using a range of features related to the activities
1.3 Save documents in appropriate directories/folders

Element:

2. Access, retrieve and manipulate data

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Select and access files
2.2 Amend and save files according to requirements
2.3 Produce documents and files that meet organisational needs
2.4 Save files in appropriate directories/folders
2.5 Exit software correctly without loss of data

Element:

3. Access and use help functions within each application

Performance Criteria:

3.1 Identify the help resources available for basic difficulties with the software
3.2 Access user help documentation and other resources for basic difficulties with the software

Element:

4. Use keyboard and equipment

Performance Criteria:

4.1 Follow OH&S standards and regulations to avoid injury or illness
4.2 Use wrist rests and document holders where appropriate
4.3 Use monitor anti-glare and radiation reduction screens where appropriate
4.4 Ensure user equipment is maintained and free from defects that could cause injury


Learning Outcomes


Knowledge includes:
• OH&S principles and responsibilities
• basic understanding of system usage
• basic technical terminology in relation to reading help files and responding to system help prompts
• personal computer access and logon procedures.

Skills include:
• basic analysis of desktop layout, monitor and chair positioning, keyboard techniques and use of the mouse
• basic problem solving in application management and help function usage
• reading and writing at a level where basic workplace documents are understood
• clear and precise communication
• interpretation of user manuals


Details of Learning Activities

You will be working in a computer laboratory developing/reinforcing your Word, Excel and Access skills, so that you have all the Office computer skills needed to successfully complete your program and prepare for your professional career.
The total number of scheduled hours of teaching, learning and assessment involved in this course includes all planned activities (face to face classes, lectures, workshops and seminars; workplace visits, online learning and other forms of structured teaching and learning). It also covers the amount of effort necessary to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, observation of work performance, discussions with supervisors and others providing third party evidence and one on one and group assessment sessions with students.


Teaching Schedule

Session 1: Detailed review of Operate computing packages unit (Word, Excel & Access): Course guide walk-through of delivery and assessment. Co-assessment with CA1999. Keyboard & equipment: OHS intro: Workstation setup. WORD: basics review & practice: Toolbars, Page setup, adding/removing buttons; formatting (fonts: selection and size; alignment, numbering, bulleting, indents, headers & footers, tables, ruler tabs, etc
Recreate exactly.doc exercise.
Session 2: WORD: basics (cont): headers & footers, tables, ruler tabs, equation editor, etc. Superscript & subscript exercise; Equation Editor Exercise.
Session 3: WORD: Styles, Images, Captions, Table of contents.
Session 4: WORD: Review & Practice test.
Session 5: WORD: test. Classroom Observations: Toolbars, switch between several open documents, print preview.
Session 6: EXCEL: Intro/basics: Terminology & concepts; Using toolbars, Creating basic spreadsheets. defining cell types, simple formulas with cell referencing, autofill, common functions (Sum, Average, Count, Max, Min), handling common formula errors, using manual and Auto Format, copying formatting features, closing & saving SS to disk folder.
Session 7: EXCEL: Setting print area, adjusting page layout, margins, headers & footers, print preview, print part/all worksheet; relative & fixed formulas, useful functions (countif, vlookup, if, etc). Using variable/range names, Viewing multiple spreadsheets concurrently, saving SS in another format.
Session 8: EXCEL: Importing objects, formatting imported objects, creating/modifying charts, formatting charts. Designing, building & maintaining your SS.
Session 9: EXCEL: Review & practice test.
Session 10: EXCEL: test
Session 11: ACCESS: Intro/basics: Terminology & concepts; Using toolbars, creating & modifying tables, creating primary key, creating fields and attributes, creating table relationships, adding & modifying data, adding & deleting records.
Session 12: ACCESS: Adjusting page layout, changing fonts for database data entries, creating forms, add & modify database records.
Session 13: ACCESS: retrieve information using tables, simple queries and queries with multiple criteria. Design, create & modify reports. Distribute reports as required.
Session 14: ACCESS: Review & practice test. Use keyboard and equipment (K&E) review; Use help system review
Session 15: ACCESS: test. HELP test: Using Word, Excel & Access Help systems assessment. Use keyboard and equipment (K&E) test: Multi choice.


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References

The 2003 Stable: An Introduction to Microsoft Office 2003; By Hawking, McCarthy & Nikakis; Prentice-Hall

Operate Computing Packages (Word, Excel & Access 2003), Data Discovery; Ref DDICAU06A.


Other Resources

PDF Word, Excel & Access notes and exercises are provided.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment may incorporate a variety of methods including written/oral activities and demonstration of practical skills to the relevant industry standards. Participants are advised that they are likely to be asked to personally demonstrate their assessment activities to their teacher/assessor. Feedback will be provided throughout the course.

Evidence of student’s competence can be gathered through a variety of ways including:
• observation of processes and procedures;
• oral and/or written questioning on required knowledge and skills;
• testimony from supervisors, colleagues, clients and/or other appropriate
persons;
• inspection of the final product or outcome;
• a portfolio of documentary evidence.


Graded Assessment out of 100 Marks will be based on the results obtained for Assignments, Practical Reports & Unit Tests.
Students must gain a pass in ALL forms of assessment in order to gain this competency.


Assessment Tasks

ATN 1 – Word workplace simulated test (open book) 30%

ATN 2 – Excel workplace simulated test (open book) 30%

ATN 3 – Access workplace simulated test (open book) 30%

ATN 4 – Help test (Word, Excel & Access): 5%

ATN 5 – Keyboard & equipment: Multi choice assessment 5%

Evidence –Word, Excel and Access class exercises to be emailed when requested.


Assessment Matrix

         
Element/Performance Criteria General Word Excel Access
ICAU2006A/01 Use appropriate software
1.1 Select software appropriate to perform activity
1.2 Use software to produce required outcome using a range of features related to the activities
1.3 Save documents in appropriate directories/folders
  ATN1Test ATN2Test ATN3
Test
ICAU2006A/02 Access, retrieve and manipulate data
2.1 Select and access files
2.2 Amend and save files according to requirements
2.3 Produce documents and files that meet organisational needs
2.4 Save files in appropriate directories/folders
2.5 Exit software correctly without loss of data
  ATN1 Test ATN2Test ATN3
Test
ICAU2006A/03 Access and use help functions within each application
3.1 Identify the help resources available for basic difficulties with the software
3.2 Access user help documentation and other resources for basic difficulties with the software
ATN4
Test
5%
     
ICAU2006A/04 Use keyboard and equipment
4.1 Follow OH&S standards and regulations to avoid injury or illness
4.2 Use wrist rests and document holders where appropriate
4.3 Use monitor anti-glare and radiation reduction screens where appropriate
4.4 Ensure user equipment is maintained and free from defects that could cause injury
ATN5
Test
5%
     
Totals 10% 30% 30% 30%

Course Overview: Access Course Overview