Computer sessions sharpen skills

Returning to classes following winter break can be tough, especially trying to regain all the knowledge and skills lost from last semester. While students might be able to get away with forgetting last semester's calculus formulas or history dates, retaining skills in basic computer programs like Microsoft Word, Excel or PowerPoint can provide benefits lasting long after graduation. \nInformation Technology Training & Education provides several classes to help show students the tools necessary to use the programs they will need throughout the semester and throughout their career.\n"We teach over 80 topics and offer over 150 workshops during the fall and spring semester," Manager of University Information Technology Services IT Training & Education Chris Payne said. "We try to set it up so everybody can meet their needs."\nDuring the semester students, staff, faculty and the general public can take advantage of several UITS programs.\nThe award-winning STEPS workshops cover a variety of subjects, from the basics of Windows to advanced Web design. Workshops are offered at various times and days throughout the spring semester.\nThe first STEPS workshop, held Tuesday night at the Indiana Memorial Union, was the first in a two-part session on the basic computing skills for Windows.\nSophomore Chris Flamini, who was attending his first workshop, said though much of the workshop was review for him, he did learn new skills.\n"The one reason I took this class is because I'm so slow on the computer," Flamini, 22, said. "Learning some new key functions was useful."\nFor sophomore Kristen Bein, 20, the workshop was one of many she has taken to familiarize herself with software programs and gain job skills.\n"I took a couple last year," Bein said. "I'm going to do all the Excel stuff. They are really useful."\nEven a basic understanding of these programs can be invaluable in the long-run, said Scott Zanger, the IU Kelley School of Business Undergraduate Career Services senior associate director.\n"Employers expect students to have basic communication skills," Zanger said. "Many of those programs are definitely things employers expect their employees to be familiar with. In different offices, there will be some differences between programs used, but having a basic understanding is important."\nThe majority of the workshops offered are free to IU students, and those that aren't are offered at discounted prices. IU staff, faculty and the general public pay a minimal fee for the training sessions.\nWorkshop topics include basic introductions as well as advanced workshops in Excel, PowerPoint, Dreamweaver, Photoshop, ColdFusion and many other programs.\nPayne said most workshops allow participants to dive right into programs because many already have a basic understanding of the concepts being covered. But they typically try to start out by introducing or reviewing basic concepts to get a feel for what the class understands, he said.\n"I think it's beneficial for people to be introduced to the terminology so they can get a conceptual understanding of what they are doing," Payne said. "The pace of the class depends on the audience."\nPayn said most IU students already have basic computer skills and are looking to gain a better understanding of more advanced computer programs. Junior Ioana Popa-Simil, at has been working as a student assistant for UITS assisting during many classes and teaches a few as well. She said after one three-hour session, she can see major improvements in the participants' abilities.\n"I can see by the end of the workshop they leave with new skills," Popa-Simil said. \nHer time with UITS has introduced her to new programs and strengthened her understanding of programs taught. \n"We always have new programs, so I always have to learn new things," she said.\nUITS offers IU students, faculty and the general public the opportunity to stay on top of ever-changing technology trends through its services. \n"The whole idea of our workshop series is they build up modularly so you take classes according to your skill," Payne said. "Whether you take one class or all of them, you're going to benefit."\n-- Contact Staff Writer Megan \nHubartt at mhubartt@indiana.edu.