CIS 1020 - Computer Essentials
Introduction:
Computer Essentials (CIS 1020) is a great course for those just starting out in college. I took it, regrettably, towards the end of my time at SLCC. Oh how I wish I would have taken it sooner. This class helps one become familiar with computers, their function, and the many applications/jobs they can help you complete. Information regarding hardware and software (including applications), as well as general security and protection of a computer system/files are touched on in this course. The most helpful portion of the course I find, however, is that of the in depth teaching of how to use the applications of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power-point. Learning how to utilize these programs has been thoroughly enjoyable. This course should be required as a first semester class for all incoming freshman in college. The concepts it teaches and the tools that it equips the user with are indispensable.
Reflection:
As I mentioned, I wish I had taken this course sooner in my academic career. It would have been so useful, and saved me so much time had I known how to properly use the applications of Word, Excel and Power-point. Other classes that I have taken prior to this semester have required that some assignment/projects be completed using these applications. The knowledge that this course, CIS 1020 - Computer Essentials, provides you with will significantly help you to complete future assignments that require the use of the aforementioned programs with greater ease, creativity, quality, and professionalism. I would highly recommend this course to any new-comer. I truly am pleased with the content of the course and look forward to using the information I have acquired in the future to create professional documents/resumes, to better manage my financial spreadsheets, and create sophisticated and neatly designed presentations. This class is a must for anyone who plans on completing a degree in college. And not just because it is required, but because it will be your friend in the long run when it comes to doing those bigger assignments and projects. So much time, effort, and headache can be saved by equipping yourself with the knowledge and tools that CIS 1020 has to offer! I am witness to the regret that comes with putting this class off! I could have saved, literally, hours in previous classes had I known how to properly use all the features in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power-point. So don't delay, register today!
Computer Essentials (CIS 1020) is a great course for those just starting out in college. I took it, regrettably, towards the end of my time at SLCC. Oh how I wish I would have taken it sooner. This class helps one become familiar with computers, their function, and the many applications/jobs they can help you complete. Information regarding hardware and software (including applications), as well as general security and protection of a computer system/files are touched on in this course. The most helpful portion of the course I find, however, is that of the in depth teaching of how to use the applications of Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power-point. Learning how to utilize these programs has been thoroughly enjoyable. This course should be required as a first semester class for all incoming freshman in college. The concepts it teaches and the tools that it equips the user with are indispensable.
Reflection:
As I mentioned, I wish I had taken this course sooner in my academic career. It would have been so useful, and saved me so much time had I known how to properly use the applications of Word, Excel and Power-point. Other classes that I have taken prior to this semester have required that some assignment/projects be completed using these applications. The knowledge that this course, CIS 1020 - Computer Essentials, provides you with will significantly help you to complete future assignments that require the use of the aforementioned programs with greater ease, creativity, quality, and professionalism. I would highly recommend this course to any new-comer. I truly am pleased with the content of the course and look forward to using the information I have acquired in the future to create professional documents/resumes, to better manage my financial spreadsheets, and create sophisticated and neatly designed presentations. This class is a must for anyone who plans on completing a degree in college. And not just because it is required, but because it will be your friend in the long run when it comes to doing those bigger assignments and projects. So much time, effort, and headache can be saved by equipping yourself with the knowledge and tools that CIS 1020 has to offer! I am witness to the regret that comes with putting this class off! I could have saved, literally, hours in previous classes had I known how to properly use all the features in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Power-point. So don't delay, register today!
Classwork:
To see some examples of the work that I've completed for this course, follow the links below:
PP FINAL:
To see some examples of the work that I've completed for this course, follow the links below:
PP FINAL:
denver_broncos_cis_1020_pp_final.pptx | |
File Size: | 748 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Microsoft Word Assignments: These assignments were designed to help us come more familiar with the many features that Word offers. Too many people only know how to save, change font, and do spell check. In this portion of the course we learned how to create tables, add and modify borders, create tables of content, indexes, bibliographies and in-text citations. My favorite new skill that I developed in relation to Microsoft Word was learning about the Mail Merge feature. This feature allows you to create, say a brochure, and then create many copies of it that are individualized to a pre-determined set of people with addresses and personal information included. In the past I would have done one brochure, saved, and printed. Then I would have manually changed all the necessary information, saved again under a different name, and printed again, etc. But with this feature, you create one brochure, insert 'blocks' that are placeholders for information, and follow the Mail Merge set-up wizard (incorporating another file that contains personal contacts) and then inserting the appropriate/desired information (like names, addresses, etc.) into the brochure. Once you've set-up everything correctly you can complete the Mail Merge and it will self-propagate more documents that contain the personalized info with the main body of the brochure in-tact. This saves so much time and effort and truly brought a smile to my face when I learned how to do it! Below are some links that are examples of assignments I had to complete in Microsoft Word:
enoch_zenger_microsoft_word_assignment_tables_and_mail_merge_example.pdf | |
File Size: | 332 kb |
File Type: |
enoch_zenger_microsoft_word_assignment_table_of_contents_and_bibliography_and_index_example.pdf | |
File Size: | 642 kb |
File Type: |
Microsoft Excel Assignments: This was probably my favorite section because for so long I've wanted to track important thinks like expenses, addresses, investments and things of that nature. This program is perfect for that. This section of the course taught us that Microsoft Excel can be used as such a great resource and form of data input/output. You can create equations that will perform many functions, you can create scenarios in which when certain criteria are met (true or false) you receive a certain outcome in additional cells (this is great for things like tracking expectations, if certain goals are reached, etc). Additionally you can calculate things like interest rates, mortgage payments and may other cases in which you must factor in percentages or certain amounts. Excel allows you to set up complex equations that, if properly done, will compute an entire collection of data in milliseconds, rather than you trying to figure out each thing one by one. You can also create charts and graphs that make data both visually appealing and easier to read. Excel also allows you to make references to other cells. For example, if you put in a certain number value, it can refer to another sheet or data table, and where that value falls there will be a certain reference code. That code will then take the place of your initial value. This is helpful when determining whether some employees deserve a raise or bonus, etc. Lastly, Excel can track percentages and trends that are helpful for understanding such things as the real estate market. This section was awesome and I plan on using it a lot in the future as I track expenses and investments. Below are some examples of assignments I did with Microsoft Excel:
enoch_zenger_microsoft_excel_computing_totals_and_referencing_codes_and_eligibility_for_bonus_example.xlsx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | xlsx |
enoch_zenger_microsoft_excel_percentages_and_trends_example.xlsx | |
File Size: | 25 kb |
File Type: | xlsx |
Microsoft Power Point: This was a very helpful section because it prepares when to give very professional, creative, visually captivating presentations, whether they be personal, academic, or professional. In this section we learn how to make more than just a basic power point. We learn how to incorporate things like notes, transitions and animations for slides, shapes and different textural effects. Also we learn how to create info-graphics that are vital to helping audiences understand material in an organized, chronological, or hierarchical manner. Microsoft Power Point is a great tool that I am still learning much about. Below are some examples of assignments I recently completed that emphasize transitions/animations, and the use of info-graphics in Microsoft Power Point:
enoch_zenger_microsoft_power_point_transition_and_animation_example.pptx | |
File Size: | 836 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
enoch_zenger_microsoft_power_point_info-graphic_example.pptx | |
File Size: | 332 kb |
File Type: | pptx |