For more information contact
Debbie Kresge 203-332-5150
HCC OFFERS FIVE NEW COMPUTER CLASSES IN MARCH
BRIDGEPORT- Computers continue to be a focus at Housatonic Community
College, with five computer classes being offered in March through the
department of continuing education, and Internet-ready reconditioned
computers for sale to students for only $299.
"The five computer courses are the latest in a series of new courses
we're offering to the public for professional advancement and personal
enjoyment," said Deborah S. Kresge, coordinator of continuing education.
"These are fast- track courses that offer people only what they
need to know -- in terms they can understand," she said. "The
courses, which do not involve tests or grades, are ideal for those people
who want to strengthen the computer skills needed for their present
job, obtain skills for a promotion, or learn computer operations for
enjoyment."
The computer offer is HCC's way of giving students access to computers
that is essential in higher education today. "Computer literacy
is the new liberal art," said Academic Dean Ruth K. MacDonald.
“Offering the computers is our way of helping students bridge the
digital divide.”
Courses being offered include:
- Introduction to Microsoft Word 2000. This course focuses
on the next generation of Microsoft's word processing program that
is part of the office 2000 software suite. The course will teach students
how to generate, edit, and change documents and it will show how to
format and print information. The prerequisite for the course is experience
with windows, and students must provide their own 3.5" double-sided,
high-density diskettes. The class meets on March 9 and 16 from 9:00
am to 1:00 pm. (Another section of the class will meet Sat., May 4,
from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. in B206).The fee for the course is $162. The
textbook is included.
- Intermediate Microsoft Excel 2000. This course is for students
who are already familiar with the basics of Excel and are ready for
the next step. This course will teach students how to analyze list
data, enhance charts and worksheets, exchange data with other programs,
and share Excel files. The prerequisites for the course are experience
with Windows and Introduction to MS Excel. Students must provide their
own 3.5" double- sided high-density diskettes. The class meets on
Saturday, March 2 from 8:00 am to 4:00 pm. The fee for the course
is $162. The textbook is included.
- Advanced Microsoft Excel 2000. This course explores working
with records and ranges, sorting, outlining and filtering lists, importing
and exporting data, pivot tables and pivot charts, using data analysis
tools, and protecting and sharing workbooks. The prerequisite for
the course is experience with Windows and Intermediate MS Excel. Students
must provide their own 3." double- sided high-density diskettes. The
class meets on March 5, 7, and 12 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The fee
for the course is $162. The extbook is included.
- Introduction to Microsoft Access 2000. This course features
the next generation of Microsoft's database program that is part of
the Office 2000 software suite. Topics in the course will cover how
to set up basic databases, including the structure of fields, cross-linking,
modification, data entry tables, and search procedures. Access 2000
is web and e-mail friendly and new features will be discussed. Previous
experience with Windows is required. Students must provide their own
3.5" double- sided high-density diskettes. The class meets on March
26, 28, and April 2 from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. The fee for the course
is $162. The textbook is included.
- Introduction to the Internet. This course introduces students
to the basics of the Internet. Internet tools such as Web browsers,
connecting to the Internet, using search engines, sending and receiving
e-mail, and book marking. Previous experience with Windows is required.
Students must provide their own 3.5" double- sided high-density diskettes.
The class meets on March 9, 16, and 23 from 8:00 am to 11:00 am. The
fee for the course is $162. The textbook is included.
For more information on the courses, contact Continuing Education at
203-332-5057 or 203-332-5150.
The computers, which are being provided by the Bronx-based Per Scholas,
a non-for-profit organization that trains computer-repair technicians
and provides refurbished computers to schools, feature a Pentium II
processor with 64 MB of RAM, a 56 bps V.90 fax/data modem, color monitor,
3.5" floppy drive, CD-ROM drive, and sound card and speakers. Each
computer is equipped with Windows 98 and the Office 97 Pro Suite that
includes Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Access and Power Point.
The computers come with a one-year replacement warranty, a toll-free
help desk, and 45 days free AOL. For more information, call Pam Prestin
at 203-332-5038.
With a five-year old campus in the heart of Connecticut's largest
city, Housatonic is one of the country’s fastest-growing public
community colleges. Since it moved to the new downtown campus in January
1997, HCC's enrollment has increased 60 percent. According to the
most recent statistics released by the Washington D.C.- based American
Association of Community Colleges, HCC was ranked among the nation's
34 fastest-growing public community colleges and was third in the Northeast.
In response to increased enrollments and changing workplace needs both
regionally and nationally, HCC has increased the number of programs
offered from 43 to 65 since moving to its new campus.
