A word about Excel

Open Excel and wonder what you will do with the blank space. Open a template and reflect on the mechanics behind those numbers.

Excel is an advanced "calculator", in my opinion!

It is fast, almost instantaneous! You may even think about it as 3D. It can be self explanatory.

Why do you use calculators for?
1. Adding
2. Average
3. Data  correlation

What happens when you make a mistake?
1. You get an error message
2. You get the wrong answer
3. You start again

Why can't you use calculators to do everything?
1. Calculators are for numbers and arithmetic, scientific, financial or engineering calculations... Very small,  very big numbers, from 0.0000000000001 to 999999999999
2. Graphs are great, not all calculators do that
3. Sharing information is integrated in many electronic devices, sadly calculators are struggling to share effectively.

Spreadsheets are great at so many things:
1. Automatic functions calculate information based on thousands of values
2. You can produce advance documents, including budget, data analysis, etc...
3. Complex calculations can be updated automatically, e.g. new unit price, change in VAT, mileage.

I have used spreadsheets in several situations because of the flexible and advanced tools and presentation, making my spreadsheets fit for purpose.

You and your mouse

What can you do with a mouse?

Before you start, you'll notice that this empty space in the middle is where you will do your work. What you will do it with depends on what you are trying to achieve...

The Home icons on Windows Word 2013

These icons will be doing the hard work for you. And all you need to do is click on the right "button" or icon. 

From the pictures on the mouse on my desk, you will see 4 actions that you can carry out to achieve what you want:

The pointer

Point

When you move the pointer on the screen, you will notice that this little arrow is ready for anything and if something is worse clicking on, like an icon, the icon will change showing you can choose that action.

Click

Right-Click

Left Click

Drag

Screen capture

Screen capture Vs Screenshot

Working with computers is quite confusing, been there!

Knowing a lot about everything when working with computers makes life easier, when working with computers.

How do you provide "evidence" of the different steps that you have to go through for a course?

Even smartphone will allow you to share what the device displayed for your eyes only.  Here, I have used one button <Prt Scr>

Mine, on the full keyboard is situated next to the function key <F12>

On my laptop, it is in the same area, but it is now between <insert> and <delete>

Where's yours?

Useful Websites - Being Productive

You want more?

In preparing for the eventuality that you are either stuck or hungry for additional information, I have decided to compile a list of on-line tools to help you manage your needs.

Storing data

• Google Drive
• https://www.google.com/drive/
• Allows you to save your documents from emails and mobile phone camera
• Allows you to share with other users online
• Dropbox
• https://www.dropbox.com/en/
• OneDrive
• https://onedrive.live.com/
• Allows you to save your documents from Microsoft Office and mobile phone camera
• Allows you to share with other users online

Microsoft Help

We all get stuck on Microsoft products as they are always new functions available or we have to get used to a new version:

• https://support.office.com/

IT Tutor

Welcome to My IT blog

I have introduced myself in a email if you are my student, but I would like to add more about myself to develop your learning about some of the key topics you will be visiting in your course and in your professional life.

I have been working with computers since April 1988. I remember the excitement that I felt setting eyes on my first computer and the pounding in my chest bringing it back home.

Since, I have done stuff like managing an Interactive Learning System, ran a Networking Academy, gained networking and computer maintenance qualifications, became an instructor for the courses I had successfully completed, completed a degree in IT and Computing, became a lecturer in computing.... so, I am a geek!!!