By Lynell Wiggers
Special to The SUN
In this day and age you need some computer skills, even if you are a stay at home mom or grandparent. All of that can be very overwhelming; it’s very similar to learning a foreign language. Archuleta County Education Center to the rescue.
We have several classes slated for this winter and spring that can assist everyone from novices to advanced computer users. We have just completed our fall classes and will be adding a new class to our rotation — Social Networking.
Come on along and join in the 21st century.
Our Social Networking class is a one-session class, to be offered twice in the spring — Saturday, Jan. 26,10 a.m.-noon, and on Wednesday, March 13, from 6-8 p.m.
You will learn the basics about FaceBook, Twitter, how to set up a blog, staying safe in cyberspace — all for $40. Followup classes will be planned if a need is expressed. We welcome Kristin Hopper as a new instructor at the Ed Center.
Intro to Computers is a one-session class that covers all the basics about your home or office computer. Topics are foundational information on hardware, software and operations, including all Window platforms. Intro to Computers will be on Saturday, Jan. 12, from 9 a.m. to noon, for $50.
Another favorite class will be “Intro to Word” offered Monday, Feb. 11, from 6-9 p.m., for $50. We will use Windows XP, Microsoft 2010. We will show you how to start and exit Word, use menus and tool bars, work with files, create documents, manipulate, edit/format text and print files. Please pre-register. Pat Attanasio will be the instructor.
Intro to Excel will be offered Saturday, Feb. 2, from 9 a.m. to noon, for $50. This one-session class will use Windows XP, Microsoft 7. Basic keyboarding skills are required. We will have you create worksheets, workbooks, enter data, copy and move data, manipulate columns and rows, create simple formulas, format a cell, automatic filling data. Pre-registration is required. Followup classes in Intermediate Excel and Advanced Excel will take place, Wednesday, Feb. 13, from 6-9 p.m., for $25, and Saturday, Feb. 23, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., for $50 per class. Each class will require previous Excel knowledge or completion of our Intro to Excel class. Intermediate Excel will teach you new techniques and shortcuts to navigate Excel more easily. Advanced Excel will cover filtering, working with charts, search features, mail merge and advanced formulas. Pre-registration is required. Pat Attanasio will be the instructor.
Microsoft 2010 Publisher will also be a one-session class, Saturday, March 9, from 9 a.m.-noon. We will help you design brochures, cards, insert photographs, invitations and party games. You will learn how to use textboxes, backgrounds and images. Just in time for summer communication for your family or business. Pre-register, cost is $50.
On Saturday, May 4, we will hold an all-day workshop, Intro to QuickBooks, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. We will help you become familiar with the diversity of QuickBooks, a commonly used software in most office settings that can be of great value at home as well. Pre-registration is required, cost is $75. The following Saturday, May 11, will be an Advanced QuickBooks class. In order to be successful in this class, you will need to be a current QuickBooks user, or complete our Intro to QuickBooks class, and have bookkeeping knowledge. Again, pre-registration is required, cost is $75. A certified QuickBooks instructor, Betty Woollard, will teach both classes and will include a QuickBooks manual for each student.
All of our classes have our PC computers available or you are welcome to bring your own laptop and use our wireless setup during class sessions. If you have more questions, visit our website at www.ArchuletaCountyEducatonCenter.com, call us at 264-2835, or stop by our site located at the corner of 4th and Lewis streets.
Don’t forget, make plans to attend our New Year’s Eve celebration and fund-raiser on Dec 31, from 8 p.m. to 2013. Pagosa Lakes Clubhouse will feature dancing to D.J. Mike Hayward’s variety of music, professional dance demonstrations, delectable food, a cash bar, door prizes and friends to ring in the New Year. Tickets are available at the Ed Center, Chamber of Commerce, online at www.ArchuletaCountyEducatonCenter.com and at the door.
