About InContexT: Skills

Developing confidence and competence in the use of ICT

InContexT: Skills provides the solution you need for developing your personal competence and confidence in using ICT. The material is suitable either for face-to-face training, training in groups, or to use independently. It can be used as a comprehensive, ready-to-follow course covering the key areas of ICT competency; or you can access the modules independently to suit your individual requirements.

Content overview

The personal skills training material has been divided into separate modules based around the various major pieces of software, as follows:

Module A: Basic Concepts in the Use of ICT (Microsoft Windows)

Module B: Word Processing (Microsoft Word)

Module C: Communications (Microsoft Internet Explorer)

Module D: Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel)

Module E: Databases (Microsoft Access)

Module F: Presentation Graphics (Microsoft PowerPoint)

Module G: Desktop Publishing (Microsoft Publisher)

This allows modules on the specific pieces of software to be chosen as required/needed and to be covered in any order.

These software-specific modules have then been further subdivided into distinct elements covering the different skills that need to be acquired. This subdivision allows you to select a suitable entry point based on previous knowledge and experience. The learning is both progressive and contained. For example, if you are a complete beginner then you can work through each module section by section. However, if you have some experience, but wish to learn a specific skill, such as how to insert a table into a word processor document, you can jump straight to the relevant section. Thus the modules can be used in either a 'linear' or 'non-linear' fashion.

The material contains:

Introductions
Study units which provide step-by-step instruction
Exercises to test your skills
A glossary of terms
References to relevant curricula
A record sheet of ICT skills.

Each core area of ICT use is referenced, and a systematic list of the skills required is provided. These skills are presented in a particular order, starting with the basics and finishing with more complex operations. As such, the lists can act as a scheme of work for a trainer or those undertaking self-study.

Modules B, D, E and F are accompanied by sets of practice exercises containing:

Notes
An introduction to the general principles involved
A tutorial to guide you through the use of the software provided
Suggestions for extension activities.

Nature of the materials

InContexT: Skills uses a very simple and highly flexible approach. All materials are accessed by making choices from an easy-to-use interface, which runs from within a Web browser. The core of the system, including the interface and training material for the basic skills, can be placed onto and accessed via an Intranet or used directly from the CD-ROM.

The training material itself is presented in portable document format (PDF) and is viewed and used within the Adobe Acrobat Reader program (supplied).

Go to the training materials.



		About InContexT: Skills Developing confidence and competence in the use of ICT InContexT: Skills provides the solution you need for developing your personal competence and confidence in using ICT. The material is suitable either for face-to-face training, training in groups, or to use independently. It can be used as a comprehensive, ready-to-follow course covering the key areas of ICT competency; or you can access the modules independently to suit your individual requirements. Content overview The personal skills training material has been divided into separate modules based around the various major pieces of software, as follows: Module A: Basic Concepts in the Use of ICT (Microsoft Windows) Module B: Word Processing (Microsoft Word) Module C: Communications (Microsoft Internet Explorer) Module D: Spreadsheets (Microsoft Excel) Module E: Databases (Microsoft Access) Module F: Presentation Graphics (Microsoft PowerPoint) Module G: Desktop Publishing (Microsoft Publisher) This allows modules on the specific pieces of software to be chosen as required/needed and to be covered in any order. These software-specific modules have then been further subdivided into distinct elements covering the different skills that need to be acquired. This subdivision allows you to select a suitable entry point based on previous knowledge and experience. The learning is both progressive and contained. For example, if you are a complete beginner then you can work through each module section by section. However, if you have some experience, but wish to learn a specific skill, such as how to insert a table into a word processor document, you can jump straight to the relevant section. Thus the modules can be used in either a 'linear' or 'non-linear' fashion. The material contains: Introductions Study units which provide step-by-step instruction Exercises to test your skills A glossary of terms References to relevant curricula A record sheet of ICT skills. Each core area of ICT use is referenced, and a systematic list of the skills required is provided. These skills are presented in a particular order, starting with the basics and finishing with more complex operations. As such, the lists can act as a scheme of work for a trainer or those undertaking self-study. Modules B, D, E and F are accompanied by sets of practice exercises containing: Notes An introduction to the general principles involved A tutorial to guide you through the use of the software provided Suggestions for extension activities. Nature of the materials InContexT: Skills uses a very simple and highly flexible approach. All materials are accessed by making choices from an easy-to-use interface, which runs from within a Web browser. The core of the system, including the interface and training material for the basic skills, can be placed onto and accessed via an Intranet or used directly from the CD-ROM. The training material itself is presented in portable document format (PDF) and is viewed and used within the Adobe Acrobat Reader program (supplied). Go to the training materials.