Training Learning Technology Course Catalog Training Calendar Training Staff Enroll In A Course OIT Home OIT Announcements OIT Newsletter NLU Home Print This Page   Course Catalog The following courses are offered throughout the year and/or upon request to all NLU faculty and staff. Select a course from the menu to view more information. Please Select A Course Getting Started with Office 2007 PC/Windows Tips and Tricks PC/Windows Tips and Tricks Microsoft Word (I) Microsoft Excel (I) Microsoft PowerPoint (I) Microsoft Access (I) Microsoft Word (II) Microsoft Excel (II) Microsoft PowerPoint (II) Microsoft Access (II) Microsoft Access (III) Microsoft Expressions Web Microsoft Windows Vista Creating Online Surveys - WebSurveyor Electronic Mail with Microsoft Outlook Course Planning & Organizing - WebCT (I) Creating Course Content - WebCT (II) WebCT Communications - WebCT (III) Introduction to Centra Web Conferencing Using Centra Web Conferencing Academic Computing Topics Working with Multimedia Digital Photography Adobe Photoshop Elements (I) Adobe Photoshop Elements (II) Student Preparation for Online Learning Designing Your Hybrid or Blended Online Course Creating and Managing Online Discussions Using Online Teaching and Learning Activities to Address Student Learning Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Online Learning Open Lab Getting Started With CommonSpot Web Publishing Workshop: CommonSpot for Content Contributors Web Publishing Workshop: CommonSpot for Content Approvers PC/Windows File Management - Enroll Now This course will teach you how to manage and perform general maintenance and routine tasks in Microsoft Windows. Course Objectives: Create, view, move, copy, delete files and folders using Windows Explorer and My Computer on local and network or shared drives Create shortcuts to applications or files File and folder organization Locate files or folders on your hard drive File maintenance and recommended house-keeping How to clean up internet temp files and history How to download and update anti-virus definitions How to set up automatic anti-viral scans etc. Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding and mouse skills Time: 2hrs Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top PC/Windows Tips and Tricks - Enroll Now This course will look at how to customize and enhance your skills for general computing applications. Course Objectives: Find a "C" prompt Adjust screen resolution Configure your startup Employ Task Manager Utilize shortcuts Install/uninstall programs Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding and mouse skills Time: 2hrs Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Getting Started with Office 2007 - Enroll Now Take a hands-on tour of the new and improved version of Microsoft Office. You will learn the major differences between Office 2003 and Office 2007 and understand how to use the new fluent-user interface. You'll learn how to find commands on the Ribbon, Office Button, and Quick Access Toolbar. We'll also try out some of the new features such as Live Preview of formatting changes, SmartArt, and emailing a calendar snapshot. This course will cover Microsoft Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel. It will also address the compatibility issues between Office 2007 documents and Office 2003- and how to avoid them. Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Microsoft Word (I) - Enroll Now This course will teach you to use the basic MS Word features as well as how to format a document, format pages, and work with tables. Course Objectives: Identify components of the application window Save and open documents Move/Copy/Paste text to a document(s) and understand the Office Clipboard Format characters, paragraphs, and documents and align margins using the toolbar, ruler, and dialog boxes Align text with tabs Create bulleted and numbered lists Apply borders and shading Create and customize headers and footers Insert page numbers, page breaks, and section breaks Create and balance columns Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with the Windows environment Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Microsoft Excel (I) - Enroll Now In this course you will learn to use the basic Microsoft Excel features as well as build and edit worksheets, format a worksheet, and work with charts, formulas, and functions. Course Objectives: Identify components of the application window Open, save, and close workbooks and preview and print worksheets Edit cell entries and work with ranges and lists Enter formulas and use simple statistical functions Use autofill feature Filter and sort data Name and move a sheet within a workbook Format data, values, and worksheets Create, modify, format, and enhance charts Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with the Windows environment Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Microsoft PowerPoint (I) - Enroll Now This course is designed to help you learn how to create, modify, enhance, and customize your presentation. Course Objectives: Navigate the PowerPoint workspace and taskpane Create, open, import, modify, save, view, and print presentations Follow PowerPoint "best practices" for effective presentations Format text and customize color schemes and backgrounds Insert and scale pictures and clip art Add hyperlinks to your presentation Create slide transitions and simple animations Print handouts from your presentation Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with the Windows environment Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Microsoft Access (I) - Enroll Now This course will take you through the basic steps in creating and working with a relational database. You will create tables that store data, and add relationships between the tables. Then, using the wizards, you will create basic forms, queries, and reports. Course Objectives: Understand the concept of a relational database Create a new database Create table using wizard and in design view Choose data types and assign a primary key Create a form using wizard Create a query using the query wizard Modify query to add criteria Create report using wizard Suggested Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with the Windows environment Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Creating Online Surveys - WebSurveyor - Enroll Now Use this online survey tool to create, publish, and analyze web surveys and polls. Course Objectives: Create, edit, and backup survey files Add and edit questions, conditional page breaks, and html snippets Change the appearance of your survey Set security options for your survey Publish your survey online and distribute link Download and analyze results from your survey Filter results and create cluster reports Create charts and reports Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding and mouse skills Time: 1.5hrs Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Microsoft FrontPage - Enroll Now This course is designed to familiarize you with basic web design. Course Objectives: Plan your website with consideration for user navigation and accessibility Create simple web sites using FrontPage Manage text and graphics on a web page Layout the appearance of your page using tables Use FrontPage components and interactive buttons Insert photos and hyperlinks Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with the Windows environment Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Microsoft Word (II) - Enroll Now In this course you will build on the basics learned in the Word (I) course by adding graphics to a document, creating a basic Web page, performing mail merges, formatting a document using styles, and linking and embedding objects. Course Objectives: Insert clip art, pictures from files, and text boxes Move and resize graphics Create WordArt; draw AutoShapes and lines Create, save, and preview a basic Web page Apply themes, add graphics, and insert and edit hyperlinks Perform mail merge: create and edit main and data documents; create, edit, and sort records; create labels; and attach an Access data source Create, apply, modify, and delete paragraph and character styles Use AutoFormat and the style gallery Link an Excel worksheet to a Word document Create a PowerPoint presentation from a Word outline and insert an existing PowerPoint presentation into a document Suggested Prerequisite: "Word (I)" Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Microsoft Excel (II) - Enroll Now This course will build on the basics learned in the Excel (I) course. You will learn to manage workbooks and prepare them for the Web, enhance charts and worksheets, and share Excel files with others in the office or via the Web. Course Objectives: Link data from different workbooks and the web Use more advanced calculations Protect areas of a worksheet or a workbook Save a workbook as an HTML document Describe and use relative and absolute cell references Track changes in a shared workbook as well as apply and remove passwords in a workbook Generate subtotals and use dates in calculations Create a Pivot Table and Chart Report Suggested Prerequisite: "Excel (I)" Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Microsoft PowerPoint (II) - Enroll Now This course is intended for experienced PowerPoint users. In this course you will learn how to enhance charts within a presentation, work with embedded and linked objects, insert hyperlinks, and use the Slide Show features. Course Objectives: Create and save your own design template Link or embed an Excel chart Create, format, and change a chart's type Animate charts Draw, modify, align, group, and stack objects Crop, modify, and change brightness/color of images Embed, modify, and format an organizational chart Insert sound, animated GIF files, and movies Record timings and narrations and create custom shows Package your Presentation to a CD or folder Create and customize a toolbar Suggested Prerequisite: "PowerPoint (I)" Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Microsoft Access (II) - Enroll Now - Enroll Now Learn more about working with your database. You'll gain more skills working with tables, forms, queries and reports. Course Objectives: Understand table relationships Change field properties (input masks, default values, captions) Modify and add controls in form design view Design and format reports Create drop-down lists Create multiple-table queries Create a parameter query that prompts you for a value Use AND, OR, and BETWEEN operators in a query Add a switchboard, and backup your database Suggested Prerequisite: "Access (I)" Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Microsoft Access (III) - Enroll Now - Enroll Now This course will give you the skills to create more powerful forms, queries, and reports. Add calculations, lookup fields, combo boxes and subforms. Design more advanced queries to combine fields, append, update and delete. Course Objectives: Create lookup fields and value lists Add calculated controls to queries, forms, and reports Introduction to the Expression Builder Combine two or more fields in a query Create queries to append, update, and delete records Create multiple-table queries Add more controls to forms and edit control properties Suggested Prerequisite: "Access (II)" Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Electronic Mail with Microsoft Outlook - Enroll Now In this course you'll learn the basics of using MS-Outlook for electronic mail. Course Objectives: Set up your email account Customize the settings Check for, receive, and send mail Reply to, forward, redirect, print, and delete messages Set up an Address Book, Recipient List, and Mailboxes Mailbox maintenance Send and receive attachments Create personalized stationery and signatures Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills and experience with either the Windows or Mac environment Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Course Planning & Organizing - WebCT (I) - Enroll Now This session is designed for participants who wish to create a WebCT course. In Part One - The participant will be able to identify, plan, and organize course-learning objectives and instructional material. Course Objectives: Review & plan course-learning objectives Determine the modules (chapters, sections, weeks and months) to be presented Analyze course-learning objectives into groups Design and sequence course learning objectives Demonstrate how to use WebCT tool selection by creating content and applying WebCT into course development Demonstrate how to organize layout and mapping, using organizer pages, tools and headings in a course Demonstrate how to create documents in Microsoft Word and organize into WebCT files Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills and experience with either the Windows or Mac environment Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Creating Course Content - WebCT (II) - Enroll Now This session is designed for creating course content in WebCT. In Part Two - The participant will be able to understand the basics in creating course content, link documentation and manage files. Course Objectives: Content Creation in Microsoft Word File Management with Manage Files Single Pages Linking to History Documents Images Linking to other Documents within WebCT File Management with Manage Files Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills and experience with either the Windows or Mac environment and "Course Planning & Organizing - Part One" Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top WebCT Communications - WebCT (III) - Enroll Now This session is designed for participants who wish to create a WebCT course. In Part Three - The participant will be able to use WebCT Communications Tools, Discussion Board - Topics, Threading, Mail Tool, Chat Tool and integrating with other course content. Course Objectives: Introduction to the Discussion Tool Demonstrate how to use the functions in the Discussion Tool Create and Edit Discussion Teams Demonstrate how to use the Mail Tool Add the Mail Tool Save a Draft using the mail editor Compile and save messages Add Chat to your course View and edit a Chat session Customize a Chat room Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with either the Windows or Mac environment and "Creating Course Content - Part Two" Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Introduction to Centra Web Conferencing - Enroll Now This online session is the first step of two in the Centra training track. This session is for new users and is lead by the experts at Centra who will introduce you to Centra 7's features and tools. This session is required before attending the "Using Centra" session. After this session, you will be able to successfully: Course Objectives: Become familiar with Centra Navigate the Centra interface Communicate with text chat, audio, and video Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with the Windows environment Time: 1hr Availability: Webinar Return to Top Using Centra Web Conferencing - Enroll Now This session introduces Centra eMeeting and Symposium users to Centra 7's features and tools from the perspectives of the participant, the leader, and the content creator. After this session you will be able to successfully: Course Objectives: Navigate the Centra interface Communicate with text chat, audio, and video Create, access, and lead meetings Upload content Share applications Utilize markups tools Record sessions Troubleshoot sessions Demonstrate best practices Skill Prerequisite: Introduction to Centra (online) Time: 2hrs Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Academic Computing Topics - Enroll Now This session is designed to familiarize you with applications used in Academic Computing. Each session deals with a specific topic. Topics include: Communication: AIM and Instant Messenger Screen Capture/ Recording: XN View, Snag it, and Camtasia PowerPoint Enhancement: Impatica Data Collection: WebSurveyor Course Objectives: Locate and install selected program(s) Become familiar with basic functionality Retain ability to incorporate application into pedagogy Recognize resources for troubleshooting Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with the Windows environment Time: TBD Availability: Consultation Return to Top Working with Multimedia - Enroll Now This session will provide suggested strategies for creating, editing, and publishing multimedia content to the web. Course Objectives: Compare various media playback options Compare development software Understand key terms and concepts Recognize various support resources Develop basic plan for project Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills and experience with either the Windows or Mac environment Time: TBD Availability: Consultation Return to Top Digital Photography - Enroll Now - Enroll Now Learn about digital cameras, the images they create, and some shooting tips for creating better photos. This session is useful for faculty and staff who will be creating digital images for WebCT, CommonSpot, or brochures. Course Objectives: Learn about pixels and image resolution Explore different camera settings Learn tips for "making" better pictures Rotate and crop images using Photoshop Elements Resize images for use on the web Resize images for use in print applications Save images using different file formats Suggested Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with the Windows environment Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Adobe Photoshop Elements (I) - Enroll Now This course will teach you some basic and common tools to improve your photos, as well as give you a better understanding of digital images and file types. Course Objectives: Become familiar with several application tools and toolbars Understand Photoshop Elements uses and creative possibilities Rotate and crop images Understand image resolution and how to control it when resizing images Fix images that are too light/too dark Remove color casts from an image using Sharpen an image Add text or symbols to an image Understand "lossy" compression and file types Save images for web use Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with the Windows environment Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Adobe Photoshop Elements (II) - Enroll Now - Enroll Now This course will build on the basics learned in the Photoshop Elements (I) course. We will review some of the editing tools and learn some of the more powerful features of Elements including: layers, text, drawing tools, and automated file processing. Course Objectives: Review basics of editing images Combine images and text using layers Become comfortable working with the layers palate Resize and modify layers independently from one another Change an image from color to grayscale Devide scanned photos Batch process multiple files Suggested Prerequisite: "Adobe Photoshop Elements (I)" Time: 2hrs Availability: Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Student Preparation for Online Learning - Enroll Now This session will provide suggested strategies for instructors to prepare their students for online learning. Research and resources provided. After this session you will be able to successfully: Course Objectives: Identify factors that affect online student retention Address potential time management obstacles that online students may encounter Address potential technical skills obstacles that online students may encounter Develop components for an online course orientation Skill Prerequisite: Basic WebCT Time: 1-1.5 hrs Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Designing Your Hybrid or Blended Online Course - Enroll Now This session will focus on enhancing your face-to-face course with online components. Research and resources provided. After this session you will be able to successfully: Course Objectives: Define hybrid or blended online delivery Identify advantages and disadvantages for blending your course Create and add online components to your face-to-face course Identify and select tools for blending your face-to-face course with technology Skill Prerequisite: WebCT experience Time: 1-1.5 hrs Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Creating and Managing Online Discussions - Enroll Now This session will focus on Best Practices for using asynchronous communications in your online course. Research and resources provided. After this session you will be able to successfully: Course Objectives: Create and organize discussion topics Set expectations for course discussions Facilitate and manage course discussions Evaluate course discussions Best practices for online course discussions Skill Prerequisite: WebCT experience Time: 1-1.5 hrs Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Using Online Teaching and Learning Activities to Address Student Learning Styles - Enroll Now This session will focus on using online teaching and learning activities to enhance your face-to-face course. Research and resources will be provided. After this session you will be able to successfully: Course Objectives: Identify ways in which different learning styles are addressed through a variety of technologies List and discuss online teaching and learning activity options Match activity options to curriculum and discipline needs and requirements Review technology options available to implement online teaching and learning activity options Skill Prerequisite: WebCT experience Time: 1-1.5 hrs Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Guidelines for Quality Assurance in Online Learning - Enroll Now This session will focus on strategies and guidelines to utilize for evaluating the effectiveness of an online course and insuring a positive experience for online students. Research and resources will be provided. After this session you will be able to successfully: Course Objectives: Identify criteria for evaluating online course design Identify criteria for evaluating online course delivery Discuss online learner support strategies Discuss student course evaluation and feedback options Skill Prerequisite: WebCT experience Time: 1-1.5 hrs Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Open Lab - Enroll Now This informal help session is designed to assist you with any questions you may have about a particular program or courseware. Participants are encouraged to bring relevant work materials. Objectives: Design according to faculty needs Troubleshoot tech-related problems Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding, mouse skills, and experience with the Windows environment Time: TBD Availability: Consultation Return to Top Getting Started With CommonSpot - Enroll Now This course introduces and outlines the Web Content Management system, CommonSpot and how it works for NLU. An introduction to Web Content Management concepts Defining lingo associated with Web Publishing and Content Management How CommonSpot works What CommonSpot enables NLU to do on the web How your department or program can effectively use CommonSpot to build a top notch web presence Introduction and demonstration of the Tools available in CommonSpot Review and Questions Skill Prerequisite: Keyboarding and mouse skills, web browsing with Internet Explorer, word processing with Microsoft Word Time: 1hr Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Web Publishing Workshop: CommonSpot for Content Contributors - Enroll Now This course enables content providers to login to the system, update pages, add links and images to pages, and much more. Logging into the system Navigating the CommonSpot menu system CommonSpot icons and their functions Best Practices for managing web content and documents on the web Overview of the basic authoring tools available in CommonSpot Using the Rich Text Editor to edit content Adding keywords and descriptions to your pages Using "Freshness Reminders" and "Content Expiration Properties" Managing your subsite's navigation bar Uploading documents to the server Adding links, images and video to your pages Submitting changes for publication Using the "My Pages", "My Tasks" and "Pending Actions" tools in CommonSpot Using the CommonSpot "Version History" feature to track changes and roll back pages to previous versions and dates Skill Prerequisite: Getting Started With CommonSpot, Keyboarding and mouse skills, web browsing with Internet Explorer, word processing with Microsoft Word Time: 2hrs Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top Web Publishing Workshop: CommonSpot for Content Approvers - Enroll Now This course enables content approvers to login to the system, update pages as necessary and approve pages submitted to them for review. Logging into the system Navigating the CommonSpot menu system CommonSpot icons and their functions Best Practices for managing web content and documents on the web Overview of the basic authoring tools available in CommonSpot Approving changes, rejecting changes and referring changes back to the author Using the "My Pages", "My Tasks" and "Pending Actions" tools in CommonSpot Using the CommonSpot "Version History" feature to track changes and roll back pages to previous versions and dates Skill Prerequisite: Getting Started With CommonSpot, Keyboarding and mouse skills, web browsing with Internet Explorer, word processing with Microsoft Word Time: 1hr Availability: Webinar, Consultation, Classroom Training Return to Top