Computing Courses in Detail

CMP 01: Computers at Home

Tutor: Dr Peter Spreadbury
Day and time: Tuesday 11.15 - 12.30
Venue: Room B5, Front Court, Emmanuel College (up stairs of 42 steps)
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 13
For beginners, who have just bought a computer, or who hope to do so in the next year. Topics covered in the 2 terms are: what to choose (laptop or tabletop, printers), getting started, games, understanding the jargon, word processing, e-mail, the internet, spreadsheets for budgets etc, adding pictures to text, photography. Not so helpful for Apple/Mac users. Each meeting is equipped with large screen computers so 6 pairs can work on various tasks from a printed handout sheet.
Note: 9 sessions, starts 19th October.

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CMP 02: Computers at Home Plus

Tutor: Dr Peter Spreadbury
Day and time: Tuesday 2.00 - 3.15
Venue: Room B5, Front Court, Emmanuel College (up stairs of 42 steps)
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 13
For people who already own a computer, and are interested in making more use of it. Topics in the 9 sessions are: more on Windows 7 or XP; Word Processing; using cut, copy and paste; making an illustrated newsletter; spreadsheets with added graphs; Powerpoint and making a slideshow; Text readers for document/map display; viruses, photography. Not so helpful for Apple/Mac users.
Note: 9 sessions, starts 19th October.

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CMP 03: Computers at Home Plus (spring term)

Tutor: Dr Peter Spreadbury
Day and time: Tuesday 2.00 - 3.15
Venue: Room B5, Front Court, Emmanuel College (up stairs of 42 steps)
Terms: Spring.
Number of places: 13
Repeat of CMP 02.
Note: Starts 18th January.

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CMP 04: Computers for Absolute Beginners

Tutor: Dr Ron Ryall
Day and time: Thursday 10.15 - 11.15
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 10
No previous knowledge or hands-on experience with computers is required for this course. There will be a basic introduction to types and components of computer systems, including what and where to buy a computer.
The pace of the course will be adjusted to suit beginners and rate of progress. Students will gain sufficient self-confidence to proceed independently. Gathering information from the web and communication via email is of major interest to most students and will be the focus for a large part of the two term course. Subject to time, progress and the interests of the class, we will venture into the basics of handling pictures, word processing and spreadsheets, and possibly sound.
Note: There is an additional fee of £10 towards the cost of equipment, payable with application.

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CMP 05: Continuing Beyond Basic Computers

Tutor: Dr Ron Ryall
Day and time: Thursday 11.30 - 12.30
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 5
All pupils attending this class will have at least a very basic knowledge of how to use a computer. All will work on individual computers to facilitate one-to-one supervision and to enable them, if they wish, to expand in their own particular directions. However, we shall also try to get agreement on the content and format of the course from the various likely options set out below.
1. Increasing expertise and knowledge regarding different types of communication via computers in the modern age, including voice over computer technology (Skype)
2. Improving ability to utilise computer-based and web-based email programs
3. Examining some of the finer points of using the web effectively in searching for information and using the web for banking and purchasing.
4. How to maintain computers in good operating order, organising and protecting them efficiently.
5. Increasing basic knowledge of various types of document, including Word and PDF documents, spreadsheets and pictures.
6. Examine some computer techniques available for storing, editing and handling music files.
Note: There is an additional fee of £10 towards the cost of equipment, payable with application.

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CMP 06: Maps in the Computer Age

Tutor: Peter Woodsford
Day and time: Wednesday 10.00 - 11.15
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 25
We will start with a brief history of maps and mapping, and then look at some of the new ways we can nowadays use information traditionally shown on maps - SatNav systems, Web Mapping, Google Earth, Geographic Information Systems, etc.
We will then look at the new technologies that make these new developments possible, and how they work, including map databases, GPS, satellite imagery and relevant IT standards. We will consider a range of applications of geographical information systems including e-government, planning, the environment, transportation and location based services and some of the ethical and societal issues involved. Hopefully there will be time to do a little crystal ball gazing. No previous knowledge will be assumed, but some level of familiarity with home computing and the Internet would be useful. The course will introduce a wide range of websites with geographical content.

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CMP 07: Modern Photography

Tutor: Kenneth Turner
Day and time: Friday 1.00 - 3.00
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn.
Number of places: 12
The advent of digital technologies has provided a huge boost to photography for the amateur. The course will be a practical hands-on series of workshops about aspects of photography utilising digital and filmed images. The first half of the course will deal with the capture, simple editing, storage and printing of images. The second part will include re-sizing, scanning, manipulating posting images on the internet and the use of other contemporary applications of photography. A basic working knowledge of home computing will be assumed and printing facilities at low cost will be integral to the course.
Note: There is an additional fee of £10 towards the cost of equipment, payable with application.

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CMP 08: The Internet and its effects upon our Society

Tutor: Syd Turkington
Day and time: Thursday 1.30 - 2.30
Venue: Room 5, 27-28 Bridge Street
Terms: Autumn, spring.
Number of places: 12
The scope of this class is to attempt to analyse the effects the www - or the internet - has brought to our culture and how it will continue to impact and shape our society. Over the last decade the revolution in IT has brought in so many startling advancements, many of which have significantly changed our lives. It is obvious that these new innovations affect how we now work, communicate, do business, learn, teach, inform and interact with one another. The questions is:
Has the internet led us into a more learned, better connected and participatory society or are we edging towards a society which will foster more detachment, isolation and loneliness?

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CMP 09: Simple Programming

Tutor: Peter Burkinshaw
Day and time: Monday 2.00 - 3.30
Terms: Autumn, spring, summer.
Number of places: 6

The course will teach you how to write simple programs in 'Comal', an international programming language that originated in Scandinavia and is widely used for teaching.  Access to an Intel-based PC would be advantageous.  No knowledge of Windows is required.

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