A non-credit computer class is now being offered by Elizabethtown College, which is open to the general public as well as faculty, staff and students for a minimal fee.  Students are only charged for the book, which ranges from no charge to $30.  The course covers Windows 7, Dreamweaver, Office 2010s and Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Publisher, Outlook, and Access.
In the past, there have been scheduling problems that made it difficult for students to have access to this course. However, this semester, it has been changed to an online course, allowing students to take Microsoft Office 2010 Online Learning courses from any Internet-connected computer.
Etown participates in the Microsoft IT Academy E-Learning Program, which produces the courses for the College.  The IT Academy courses are a great preparation for Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exams.
“We have an on-campus testing site so it’s convenient. People who receive certification have found it very beneficial in job searches,” Kathryn Kellie, computing trainer at the College, said. The College only charges students $20 as opposed to $99 that students would pay elsewhere. “In each class, my goal is to increase attendees’ knowledge, confidence and understanding of how to use the software to accomplish their work.  I choose a good manual or create handouts so they have something to refer to back at their computer,” Kellie said.
The main goal is to have the students become self-sufficient in working with whatever the class material is.  After class, each person fills out a survey form and the results have been nothing but positive. The online class seems to help people become more comfortable with common computer tools.
The class is advertised in Campus Connections under Random. The schedule of classes can also be found on the ITS website in the General section under Software Training, Current Class Schedule. There are also brochures distributed at the ITS Helpdesk inNicarry Room 108. The brochure is also sent to local libraries to advertise to the public. As the semester unfolds, more people are expected to register for the online class.
Another class available to Etown students is Lunch & Learn which specifically features Excel and Word. Each session lasts only 30 minutes from noon to 12:30. There is no registration or fee required. At Lunch & Learn attendees are to watch while they eat their lunch. At the end of each session, the attendees receive a handout on the topics covered in the session. The first Lunch & Learn session, on Excel’s tables, filters and subtotals, was Sept. 20, however, students can participate in sessions at any point in the semester.
To learn more about the online course or Lunch & Learn, or to sign up for a Microsoft Office Specialist Certification exam, please contact Kathryn Kellie at KELLIEK@etown.edu.