Introductory Windows Workshops

We're currently offering one (or two, depending on how you count them!) Introductory Windows Workshops, with another workshop to be offered starting soon:

Introduction to Windows XP -- 3 hours

Windows Transition for Macintosh Users -- 3 hours
(the same workshop with special content added for Mac users)

Introduction to Windows Vista -- 3 hours
Look for more details about our Windows Vista workshops in the coming months!

Introduction to Windows XP

Are you a new Windows user?
Or do you want to get more productive with Windows?
Or perhaps you're a Mac user making the transition to Windows?

These "hands-on" workshops present the basic features of your Windows computer, no matter which version of Windows you're using.  Although we'll be using Windows XP in this workshop, over 95% of the material covered will be equally applicable to other versions of windows, including Windows 2000.

You'll learn how to effectively use and work with the "desktop," documents, folders, and "shortcuts" (creating and using), as well as how to run and communicate between multiple programs and windows at once. Working with the "Network Neighborhood" and making full use of Windows Explorer for managing your files and folders will also be covered, as will be customizing your desktop and taskbar.  

This is an "accelerated" workshop, intended for users with some prior computer experience (e.g., some familiarity with using a word processor and a mouse).  

Special note to Macintosh Users moving to Windows

If your Macintosh is being replaced with a Windows machine, be sure to register using the special "Mac Transition" code below.  We'll point out the differences between Finder/Chooser and the Windows Explorer and Network Neighborhood, between aliases and shortcuts, as well as other keyboard, desktop, and naming differences.  You may still miss your Mac, but you'll soon be up to speed with Windows.

Introduction to Windows XP
(for users of Windows XP as well as Windows 2000)

Prerequisite: Some familiarity with PCs or Macs, use of a mouse, and very basic keyboarding skills
Instructor: Peter Kimble, Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE)
Hours: 3
UIUC CEU’s: 0.3
Fee: $64 (includes workbook)

This workshop is offered on an "as needed" basis.
Please contact us via our contact form, or call (217) 333-4161 for more information.
Note:  Introduction to Windows Vista workshops are coming this summer (2007).

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Windows Skills

• Do you know how to use the Microsoft Windows Start button and the Windows task bar? Can you open menus and submenus, and choose items from those menus?
• Do you know how to use My Computer, Windows Explorer, or Internet Explorer to find items stored in folders on your computer, or to browse the Internet?
• Are you comfortable using the mouse to move the cursor, select items, drag, and deselect? Have you used context menus, which open when you right-click items?
• When you have two or more open applications, do you know how to switch from one to another? Do you know how to switch to the Windows Desktop?
• Do you know how to open, close, and minimize individual windows? Can you move them to different locations on your screen? Can you resize a window by dragging?
• Can you scroll (vertically and horizontally) within a window to see contents that my not be visible in the displayed area?
• Are you familiar with the menus across the top of an application and how to use those menus?
• Have you used dialog boxes, such as the Print dialog box? Do you know how to click arrow icons to open a drop-down menu within a dialog box?
• Can you open, save, and close a file? Are you familiar with word processing tasks, such as typing, selecting words, backspacing, deleting, copying, pasting, and changing text?
• Do you know how to open and find information in Microsoft Windows Help?

*List of prerequisite skills from Adobe Premiere Elements 2.0 Classroom In A Book (2006), Adobe Press, ISBN 0-321-38548-9