Gallery: Computing

Computing and Digital Photography

Computing Our new Computer courses this year are diverse and offer something for the complete beginner, those that have some knowledge through to more advanced certificate based courses including CLAiT, CLAiT Plus, OCR Text Processing and iMedia. Beginners Computing 1 is for the newcomer to computing. You will learn the basics of the computer, key in simple text and learn about the internet and ‘surfing’ the Web. These courses will run for 10 weeks. Beginners Computing 1 Gently is also for the newcomer and you will learn the basics as in Beginners Computing 1 however this course is delivered at a slower pace, for those who need that extra time. Gently courses run for 15 weeks. Those students who already have some knowledge of computing but would like to extend and enhance their skills could try our Beginners Computing 2 courses. These courses also follow on from Beginners Computing 1 and here you will continue to develop your Word skills and look at other packages in the Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel (spreadsheets, for simple household budgets) and Publisher (to make cards, etc) or you may prefer to look in more detail about what the internet can offer. Again we offer, for those who want to take things at a slower pace, our Beginners Computing 2 Gently which will run along similar lines to Beginners Computing 2.
	For the first time this year we are also offering the Extend Your IT Skills Gently course which is for students who have completed Beginners 2 and who either want to complete a project of their own; who want to return to topics previously covered in other courses or who would like to further enhance their skills. Projects could include computerising your accounts for your home or small business, or producing flyers or leaflets for clubs and societies. These courses will also be delivered as ‘Gently courses’ and will run at individuals own pace.
Our new 3 Week Introduction To courses are designed for the beginner to have a taste of various different subjects within the computing world. There are 9 different topics to choose from. The World Wide Web, Email, Itnernet Security, Labels, Art on the Computer, Mail Merge, Desk Top Publishing, Household Budgeting using Excel and Powerpoint. Our popular course Sage for Beginners will be delivered again this year, for those with little or no experience of Sage, but with an understanding of basic bookkeeping. This course will cover bought and sales ledgers, bank reconciliations, VAT returns and profit and loss accounts.	For those students who wish to gain a qualification in Computing, we offer the CLAiT (Computer Literacy and Information Technology) Level 1 Certificate course. This qualification is nationally recognised and is for the complete beginner or those with limited knowledge. Students will study 3 units: Word - word processing, Excel - spread sheets and Access – databases, using the Microsoft Office suite. There will also be the option to continue on with this course in order that you can gain a Diploma by studying two additional units. If you already hold a CLAiT Certificate/Diploma and would like to further advance your skills we offer the CLAiT PLUS Level 2 qualification. CLAiT Plus has been designed to accredit a broad range of IT skills, ensuring you are prepared for the needs of the IT-based workplace in a comprehensive manner.
Two other Units in the CLAiT Suite are being offered as single units this year: Web Site Creation is a Level 2 qualification. Using Dreamweaver software you will learn to select, present, manipulate and amend data and publish the website on the Internet. You will develop proficiency in Dreamweaver, along with a sound understanding of common HTML concepts and features, web page formatting and web site structure. A familiarity with raw HTML code would be advantageous, but is not required. e-Image Creation will be offered for the first time as a qualification course at both Levels 1 and 2. On this course Photoshop Elements 4 software will be used. On the Level 1 course you will learn how to produce and print simple drawings, artwork and images. You will insert manipulate and edit simple artwork and images. At Level 2 the course covers using graphic editing and design software to create artwork for a variety of purposes, including printed and electronic media. You will develop proficiency in Photoshop Elements 4, along with a sound understanding of editing concepts, common software tools, and the requirements of the destination media.
In order to offer a variety of qualification courses there is also the OCR Text Production Certificate. The Text Processing suite of qualifications has been designed to develop and recognise candidates' ability to produce a variety of straightforward business documents to meet the requirements of employment. This qualification is being offered at two different levels – Level 1 starts in September and covers Text Production (which is the Core Unit), Audio Transcription and Word Processing.	The Level 2 course starts in February and covers Text Production (which is the Core Unit), Audio Transcription, Business Presentation (using PowerPoint), Legal Text Processing, Mail Merge, Medical Word Processing, Word Processing . The OCR Certificate in Text Processing is awarded for the achievement of the Text Production mandatory unit plus one option. A new course this year will be the OCR Level 1 Certificate for iMedia Users. This course will provide you with a high quality, industry-recognised award. You will be able to develop skills and gain understanding and knowledge of the dynamic interactive media industry.
	Digital Photography Whether you are a complete beginner or wish to continue to develop your skills in the advanced SLR classes, we have courses for all levels. We use Adobe Photoshop Elements software except at Uckfield Community Technology College where we will use Photoshop. As with the computer courses, we also offer some ‘Gently’ courses for those students who want to take their time and work at a slower pace. Some computer knowledge would be advantageous, however please contact us should you require a Beginners basic IT session which can be held at the beginning of your course. Digital Photography for Beginners and Digital Photography Beginners Gently are for the complete beginner who wishes to learn how to use some of the many features of a modern digital camera and improve their photography. While most of the course will involve practical photography there will also be an introduction to some basic digital imaging techniques using Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 or 6.
A new Course for this year is Digital Photodesign. This is a comprehensive course covering a variety of photographic and abstract painting and pattern making techniques possible in Photoshop. You will create photo montages, personalised greeting cards, textile designs and other original artworks. Improving your Digital Photography is an Intermediate course building on skills you already have or have learnt in Digital Photography for Beginners and Digital Photography for Beginners Gently. This course aims to improve your photographic skills by learning about lighting techniques, composition and good portrait standards.	Digital Photography (Imaging) Intermediate 1 will help you to build on your Photoshop skills. You will need a PC running Windows XP or Vista together with Adobe Photoshop Elements version 5 or 6 in order to practise you skills at home and complete some assignments. Good basic computing skills are required for this course Digital Photography (Imaging) Intermediate 2 is a continuation course from Intermediate 1 for those who want to continue to progress and learn more techniques! Subjects covered will include sharpening, converting to black and white and techniques for print preparation. Again this course will be delivered as a ‘Gently’ to run at a slower pace.
Another new course being offered this year is the Digital Photography for Beginners SLR which is aimed at those students who have Digital SLR cameras but have little or no knowledge of Digital Photography. This course aims to improve student’s knowledge and skill and help you get to grips with the many features of a modern digital SLR camera and improve your photography. We are also offering our very popular Digital Photography Advanced SLR course again this year. This course helps you to explore some of the more advanced functions on your SLR camera, and develops and advances your already sound basic knowledge of Digital Photography. This course is not for beginners.
If you wish to extend your photography skills then why not join our AS Photography course (details are in the examination section of the brochure). If you find weekdays difficult, enrol on our Digital Photography for Beginners Weekend Workshop which will enable you to learn how to use some of the many features of a modern digital camera and improve your photography. While most of the course will involve practical photography there will also be an introduction to some basic digital imaging techniques using Adobe Photoshop Elements 5 or 6.	For those students requiring accreditation ACRES is running the CLAiT e-Image Creation which will be offered for the first time as a qualification course at both Levels 1 and 2. On this course Photoshop Elements 4 software will be used. On the Level 1 course you will learn how to produce and print simple drawings, artwork and images. You will insert, manipulate and edit simple artwork and images. It also covers using graphic editing and design software to create artwork for a variety of purposes, including printed and electronic media. You will develop proficiency in Photoshop Elements 4, along with a sound understanding of editing concepts, common software tools, and the requirements of the destination media.