Free online tutorials

Actden has some free online tutorials for Microsofts products on their website. By looking at the illustration this is perhaps most suitable for young persons. But for you who wants very basic skills this might be a good start.

http://www.actden.com/

Want to instruct on the web?

After reciving computer skills on ICDL you might want to use them. Here is a free digital book on “successful online instruction” from a company could webex.

“834 Tips for Successful Online Instruction is an amazing collection of tips from 336 of your professional colleagues. Nowhere will you find a more comprehensive set of tips that you can use to improve your knowledge and skills in online instruction”.

http://www.elearningguild.com/pdf/4/guildtipsbook-final.pdf

Computer tutor 2

There are many web based resourses on how to handle the computer for teachers and pupils on BBC:s online learning website. Their newest and perhaps most ambitious project is an interactive and game based toll, and it’s a fun way to receive basic computer skills. In addition the knowledge is being put in a context rather than just show the functions.

>>Visit BBC:s online learning website and Computer tutor 2

Internet Security Software

I promised you a list of software for protecting your computer against viruses and other threats. Of course I’m not the first to do this, so instead I give you the firewallguide.com “some of the best personal firewalls and Internet security products and services that are available free for personal use”. And really they are, my favourites:

• ZoneAlarm (firewall) "The Best Freeware", PC World, January 31, 2007.
• Ad Blocker -- WebWasher Classic for Windows, Macintosh and Linux includes filters for web bugs, referrers, cookies, and URLs.
• AVG AntiVirus

The list also consists of software for Back Up Files Online, Anti-Spyware, Anti-Trojan, Parental 'Content' Filter, Popup Stopper and more.

Don’t spend unnecessary money on software that you are able to download for free, and it’s just as good.

Se the entire list >>

Effective and interesting presentations

When it comes to giving a presentation, keep in mind the age old saying “be prepared”! Planning ahead is vital to the overall success of your presentation.

You need to consider presenting the right information, in the right layout, to the right audience in the right amount of time. Concentrate on the purpose of your presentation. Think about the audience, who they are, what they already know and what they want to know. Find out about the venue for your presentation or how people will view your presentation if you are emailing it to them. Think about ways of communicating your message, while keeping the flow steady and interesting. Spending the right amount of time in the planning phase for your presentation will help to ensure that your message is well-received.

Want to learn more?

Read the advanced ICDL module “presentation” with me as your teacher, working language is of course English. Read more at www.icdl.se.

Extensive IT information

This is a extensive site were you will receive information about almost everything in information technology. Quite much commercials but very informative with blogss, podcasts, news in different sectors and much more.

“InfoWorld provides in-depth technical analysis on key products, solutions, and technologies for sound buying decisions and business gain”.

http://www.infoworld.com/

I’ll try to complete the list of freeware this weekend that I promised a couple of days a go. Check in on Sunday or Monday and you get it.

Spreadsheet

Excel and other spreadsheet programs are much more than formatted cells and diagrams.

The blog “daily dose of Excel” gives you tips on the use of the software (for more advanced users).

Or read the “Spreadsheet History”. A collection of links for spreadsheets nerds that must know more… and more… and more ;-)

You don’t need to buy Microsoft Office to study the ICDL

Microsoft Office 2003 has a demo for 60 days if you don’t have the programs. That means that you can

• download the demo
• study our ICDL certified material,
• make our practice exercises and train in our question bank

Make the test at a test centre and be certified in ICDL.

>> Download the demo

Of course there are alternatives for Microsoft’s products, see ICDL for open source.

Protect yourself from the dangers of the web

Even tough this is a guide from Microsoft for school children it’s a good introduction and checklist to handle viruses, spyware, Internet security and backup.

Microsoft promotes their own software but theirs plenty of freeware on the net to use for free. In a couple of days I will complete a list of programs for this.

Young people knows IT, do you?

Everyday computer use isn’t a problem for most of the teenagers and kids today. There are different ways to look upon this; some think it’s a great tool for learning if young people are engaged in an exploration of language, games, social interaction, and self-directed education that can be used to support learning with help of IT. Some thinks this damaged young people e.g. unsocial behaviours, physical inactivity, less creativity, visiting inappropriate webpage’s.

The fact is that most kids and teenagers with computer access know how to use it, and the question is; do you?

The digital media and learning initiative have more information

Women and individuals with special needs among the most ‎enrolled in digital literacy programs in the Gulf area during 2006

“ICDL GCC Foundation, the governing body and certification authority of the ‎International Computer Driving License (ICDL) program in the Gulf region, has ‎announced its 2006 results on the implementation of computer skills and digital literacy ‎in the region. The results pointed out that the general level of digital literacy in the region ‎has witnessed a sharp increase.

This has been achieved due to the commitments of the ‎governments in the region to promote civic skills needed in modern society. The results ‎also highlighted that the categories of Women and individuals with special needs have ‎seen a climb in the enrolment in the ICDL’s digital literacy program.”

Read more >>

Active Learning with PowerPoint

University of Minnesota has made a tutorial on using “Active Learning” with PowerPoint. On this page you are able to learn more about using PowerPoint than displaying slides. You will find a video workshop, Active Lecturing, Active Learning Strategies, Formative Assessment, Games in PowerPoint and Effective Handouts.