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Computer Skills: Levels of Proficiency LEVELS Basic Intermediate Advanced Do you have the necessary computer skills? _______________________________ Do you have the necessary learning skills? _______________________________ Have you ever used a computer? _______________________________ Can you identify and use a monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, CPU, storage devices and speakers? _____ Yes _____ No _____ I’m not sure Do you know how to use computer storage devices like hard drives, flash drives and CD-ROMS to (1) Run programs and (2) save/backup files? _____ Yes _____ No _____ I’m not sure How would you describe your typing skills? _____ I hunt for the keys one character at a time _____ I’m okay at using both hands to type _____ I’m good at using proper keyboarding techniques How do you feel about using the Internet? _____ No Problem. I can use search engines, blogs, forums, social networking, etc. _____ Just fine. I can use a search engine or go directly to a website to view/print/save online documents. _____ I get through it. I am okay if I just have the website address. _____ Not okay. I don’t use it very often. How do you feel about using word processing software, such as Microsoft Word? Microsoft Works? Word Perfect? _____ No Problem. I can perform the basic functions, plus insert graphs/tables and format layout. _____ Just fine. I can create, edit, save, print, spell check and format text. _____ I get through it. I can create, edit, save and print documents _____ Not okay. I don’t use it very often. 5/11 V.7 Page2 How do you feel about using spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel? Microsoft Works? Lotus 1-2-3? _____ No Problem. I can perform the basic functions, plus insert graphs/charts, format layout and use formula functions. _____ Just fine. I can create, edit, save, print and format cells. _____ I get through it. I can create, edit, save and print spreadsheets. _____ Not okay. I don’t use it very often. Do you know how to create folders and organize files so that they are easy to find later? _____ No Problem. I can create folders in the appropriate location, and add files that are ready to be shared and distributed over computer networks or email. _____ Just fine. I can create a new folder on the desktop or in my documents, and add files. _____ I get through it. I can create a new folder on the desktop, and add files. _____ Not okay. I don’t do that very often. How do you feel about sending email messages? _____ No Problem. I can send, save, forward, and add attachments to messages. _____ Just fine. I can send, save, forward/reply. _____ I get through it. I use it once in a while. _____ Not okay. I don’t use it very often. How do you feel about using spreadsheet software, such as Microsoft Excel? Microsoft Works? Lotus 1-2-3? _____ No Problem. I use it all the time. _____ Just fine. I use it occasionally. _____ I get through it. I use it once in a while. _____ Not okay. I don’t use it very often. Have you used Adobe Acrobat Reader to view PDF files? _______________________________ Are you aware of computer ethics and ways to protect yourself against electronic viruses and other threats? _______________________________ Are you self directed? _______________________________ Do you have access to an Internet-connected computer? _______________________________ How comfortable are you with computers? _______________________________ How well can you type? _______________________________ Do you own a computer? _______________________________ If not, do you have convenient local access to a computer and Internet? _______________________________ If you own a computer, do you have a home/Home Office Internet account? _______________________________ _______________________________ Give name of provider, the access speed and the ________. _______________________________ Are you self-confident enough to engage online lessons comfortably? _______________________________ What are your biggest needs in order to learn essential computer and Internet skills? _______________________________ Do you have someone locally you can ask for help whenever necessary? _______________________________ Would you link an online Mentor? _______________________________ Would like like a local mentor for face-to-face training sessions? _______________________________ What is included in basic computer education? Basic computer education will include these topics: What do you generally and primarily use a computer for? _______________________________ A. email only (LOW) B. email and file or photo sharing (MEDIUM) C. gaming (MEDIUM/HIGH) D. random web surfing (MEDIUM) E. research, professional work, occupational duties (HIGH) F. chat rooms on popular topics (LOW) G. bulletin board debate blogs (MEDIUM) H. professional discussion mailing lists (HIGH) I. web building, system administration (HIGH) J. e-commerce shopping (MEDIUM/HIGH) How do you find web sites to visit? _______________________________ A. books with directories of hot sites (LOW) B. magazines with lists of hot sites (LOW) C. type in URLs mentioned at other sites (HIGH) D. one search engine, like MSN, Yahoo, Google (LOW/MEDIUM) E. multiple or specialized search engines/directories (HIGH) F. linking from other known or favorite, book marked sites (MEDIUM/HIGH) G. friends, co-workers, tv, radio recommendations (LOW) How do you primarily navigate, travel around, in a web site? _______________________________ A. hypertext links (LOW/MEDIUM) B. site maps (HIGH) C. navigation buttons, bars, graphic links (LOW) D. "Search Site" boxes (MEDIUM) E. Advanced, Scoped "Search Site" boxes (HIGH) How much time do you spend on the computer? _______________________________ A. Less than 1 hour a day (LOW) B. 1 hour to 3 hours a day (MEDIUM) C. More than 3 hours a day (HIGH) What is your main usage of a computer? _______________________________ A. Pleasure (LOW) B. Occupation (HIGH) C. Research topics of interest (MEDIUM) D. Online professional community (HIGH) E. Online fun/social community (LOW) F. Shopping/reservations/stay in touch with people (MEDIUM) What skills level do you consider yourself to be at? _______________________________ A. Low B. Average C. Above Average D. High E. Computer Expert (IT professional, etc.) What are your favorite web sites that you visit a lot? _______________________________ Internet Skills—You should know how to: use a browser, such as Internet Explorer; use a Search Engine, such as Google; understand URLs; create bookmarks (or “favorites”) within your browser; download files or save the target of specific URLs; upload files by using simple web forms; send and receive email with attachments; save email attachments on your hard drive; use browser helper programs like Adobe Acrobat Reader and Microsoft media player. Computer & Technical Skills – You should know how to: use a word processor; paste text from a web page or a word processor document into an email; print materials from the Internet or from other computer documents; save a document as various file types; create and manage files and folders on your computer; install software downloaded from the Internet; find files on your hard drive. If you feel comfortable with these basic skills, you will have no problems with the technical aspects of an online class. Computer Skills Inventory. Do the following statements apply to you? If all or most of them do, you certainly have the technical skills to take an online class. I am comfortable using a computer. Keyboarding is easy for me, and I am usually accurate. I know how to print documents from my computer. I know how to use the Internet. I know what a URL is. I know how to use a search engine. I know how to make a bookmark (or “favorite”). I am comfortable using email. I know how to make an email attachment. I know how to save an email attachment to my hard drive. I know how to copy files from a hard drive to a floppy disk, CD or flash drive. I know how to make a folder and save a file in it on my computer. I feel comfortable using a word processor. I know how to copy and paste text from one document to another. I know how to save a word processing document in “Rich Text Format” (RTF). I know how to download and install browser plug-in software, like a media player. I have played audio and video files on the Internet. I know what a PDF file is. I have used chat and bulletin boards on the Internet. I have used simple web forms. Computer Operations and Concepts Identifies hardware components eg. keyboard, mouse, monitor/screen Matches equipment to purpose - eg digital camera to capture images Identifies cursor Recognises the typical features of an applications window title bar, toolbar, menu bar, status bar, scroll bar Has a knowledge of drop-down menus, what sub-menus they contain and conventions for activating them Discriminates in the choice of applications for a given purpose Selects menu items from a drop-down menu Starts an application and creates a document Names and saves a document in appropriate folder/directory Retrieves, revises and renames a document Understands difference between "save" and "save as" Prints document Uses print preview to view a document before printing Understands orientation of page for document layout Considers what needs to be printed eg pages to print Understands and uses dialogue boxes Using computer-based technologies to manipulate, create, store and retrieve information to express ideas and communicate with others. Word Processing Locates and uses return/enter, space, delete/backspace, shift, caps lock. Uses appropriate terminology - font, upper/lower case, bold,italics, underline. Types sentence(s) without assistance. Inserts text. Selects/highlights text. Deletes text. Varies font, size and style. Understands cut, copy, paste. Uses undo command. Creates text box. Uses borders. Uses spell checker. Realises limitations of spell checker. Changes text alignment. Uses thesaurus. Changes margins and line spacing. Uses columns. Adds a table to a document and edits rows and columns. Understands factors that affect appearance of text on a page. Understands use of Tab to indent. Uses bullets, numbering. Graphics Uses freehand drawing tools - pencil, straight and curved lines. Uses shape tools/objects. Uses paintbrush, paintbox/fill with colour, spray can/airbrush, eraser. Uses text tool. Selects objects with selection tool. Deletes selected objects. Crops selected objects. Copies/duplicates graphic elements. Uses line properties - thickness/colour. Uses fill pattern/colours/shading. Flips, rotates objects. Layers objects - moves to front/back. Inserts graphics from various sources eg. clip art, digital image. Changes the size of displayed clip art/graphics. Uses a digital camera to create a graphics file. Moves clip art/graphics within a document. Uses a scanner to convert a picture into a graphics file. Understands animation/illusion of movement. Return to Top Multi-media Creates a simple slide show with text, images. Inserts slides. Chooses appropriate slide design and layout. Adds sounds. Creates a master slide template. Understands that a presentation is clear, concise and logical. Understands navigation buttons/hyperlinks. Recognises elements of a multi-media presentation. Using computer-based technologies to locate, access, evaluate, store and retrieve information and to express ideas and communicate with others. Internet Understands purpose of a browser Understands the general structure of a web address Equates URL with web address Uses prepared bookmarks Uses and understands the features of a browser (back, forward, stop, search, refresh, history, home buttons, address bar, loading status) Understands and uses key words in a simple search Understands key features of a web page (links, site map, feedback, email) Bookmarks a location Uses and understands hyperlinks/navigation buttons Chooses appropriate sites from a search Interprets information from a website Cites any electronic references to information used Contributes to the creation of a basic web-page - text, graphics, hyperlinks Determines whether information is current, accurate and reliable Understands the general structure of an email address Interprets features of an inbox eg. owner, date, subject, size Interprets features of a new message eg. To, Cc, Subject Interprets features of a retrieved message eg. From, Date sent, Reply, Forward Retrieves and replies to an email Forwards an email Sends an attachment with an email Using computer-based technologies to locate, access, evaluate, store and retrieve information Spreadsheets Understands the purpose/structure of a spreadsheet Interprets data from an existing spreadsheet Understands terminology - column, row, cell, cell range Understands cell addressing Understands active cell Enters data (labels, values) in a cell Formats data in a cell eg. bold, alignment Generates appropriate graphs eg. bar, column, line Changes column width and row height Adds/deletes row/columns Uses sum formula and undertakes basic calculations Formats data to currency, time, number, percentage Sorts data Understands strengths and weaknesses of a spreadsheet Databases Understands structure/purpose of a database Understands strengths and weaknesses of databases Understands basic terminology - fields, records, files Opens and uses a commercial database eg. electronic encyclopaedias Locates specific information searching by subject, key word, author Locates specific record(s) using find function Uses relevant fields Chooses appropriate data types for fields Sorts data Adds/deletes records Edits data in an existing record Questions Questions 1. By placing your mouse in a particular position, then clicking, all of the following images were discussed except a blinking line a hand a white arrow a CD-ROM 2. An onscreen image changes as you Right-Click Left-Click Mouse-Over Double-Click 3. If you keep your finger depressed on a particular key, it will keep sending the computer Commands Pictures Files Mouse-Clicks 4. When you press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys simultaneously causes the computer to Sleep Lock Up Help a problem Does nothing 5. The software application Microsoft Word allows you to create and edit Text documents Spreadsheet files Business graphs Any computer file 6. When clicking on the start button, then clicking on the all programs button will Display all files Open Excel Display categories Close a program 7. A computer can store data on all of the following media types except Floppy disks Ink-Jet cartridges USB cartridges CD-Roms 8. One reason to copy files from a CD-ROM to the computers hard drive would be Cannot be done Faster access To be able to print CD-ROM can only be read once 9. Sometimes we forget where we saved a file or folder. If this happens The file is lost Start looking This can't happen Windows provides a search program 10. When copying a file from one location to another causes the orginal file to Be Deleted Be Unaffected To be Moved This operation cannot be done Answers 1.a CD-ROM 2.Mouse-Over 3.Commands 4.Help a problem 5.Text documents 6.Display categories 7.Ink-Jet cartridges 8.Faster access 9.Windows provides a search program 10.Be Unaffected Here are further guidelines. Computer Science Degrees by Level |