Student and Software Requirements
Required Computer Skills for Students
A certain level of basic computer literacy is needed in order to successfully complete one of our courses.
All of our courses have been designed with the end user in mind, and are accessible to anyone with the ability to use an Internet browser such as Internet Explorer. However, the following guidelines will help you to identify any gaps in your computing knowledge.
| The student should be able to: |
- identify computer hardware (System Unit, monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer)
- turn on a computer
|
| Mouse and Desktop |
- move the mouse and see the pointer move
- select objects on the desktop
- identify objects on the desktop
- double click objects on the desktop
- click, hold, and drag to display selection rectangle
- click, hold, and drag to select multiple items on the desktop
- right click and arrange and lineup items on the desktop
- double click to open (an application, a folder, or a document)
- identify the task bar
- use the task bar to expand windows
- use the Start button and navigate through cascading menus
- use the Start button to launch programs
|
| Windows |
- identify the parts of a window (title bar, icon, name, sizing buttons)
- identify the menu bar
- use the mouse to select menu items
- create a new folder
- name and rename a folder or document
- display the contents of a folder with various Views
- resize windows
|
| Keyboarding |
- type 10 wpm (2 errors).
- use number, caps, and scroll lock correctly
- use arrow keys to navigate on a page
|
| Applications |
- identify the difference between a document and an application
- launch an application then create a new document
- save a document to a specified folder
- open a document from within an application
- open a document from within a folder
- save to a new location (different folder or disc)
|
| Word Processing |
- select text using a mouse
- format styles
- change styles
- print a document
|
| File Management |
- navigate to My Documents from the desktop through My Computer
- develop a logical hierarchical file system with at least triple
- nesting within My Documents
- drag items from one folder to another
|
| Internet |
- identify the major web browsers
- when given a URL open a web page
- can follow a series of web links from page to page
- can search for information
- can send and receive letters using email software
- can attach a file to email
- can retrieve an attachment
|
Hardware Requirements:
The following hardware and software are minimum specifications to work with the Blackboard application:
Platform: Windows 98, 2000, NT, ME or Vista; MacOS 9 or MacOS X
Hardware: 256MB of RAM, 1 G of free disk space
NOTE: JavaScript & Cookies must be enabled.
Internet Connection
Software Requirements:
Word Processing Software
DO NOT use the software MS Works to do your assignments. The majority of our instructors are unable to open documents in this format. Microsoft Word, often included with most Windows computers, is highly recommended. WordPad, which also comes installed on many Windows computers, can also be used. For further information, contact your instructor.
Internet Browsers
We recommend that you DO NOT use Internet Service Providers such as AOL, Prodigy, or CompuServe with online courses at PCC. We recommend that you use Internet Explorer 5.0 (or higher) with PCC online courses. For help understanding these issues, you may contact the Distance Learning office at (252) 493-7256 or krouse@email.pittcc.edu.
