Computer Workshops

The following computer workshops are offered on a regular basis by the UMD Center for Economic Development. Check our online registration for dates and times of upcoming workshops.

Computers 101 - Computer Basics
Designed for individuals who have never used a computer. Covers what computers do, basic computer terminology, the proper way to turn on and off the computer, how to use the mouse and keyboard, the basics of moving around in Windows and how to save and open files.

Computers 102 - Desktop Productivity
Know the very basics of working on a computer but want to know more? This workshop covers how to operate a computer, manage the computer desktop, save, delete, store, copy, and move files. Get an introduction to the Microsoft Office Products.

Access I- Basics of Database Management
Create databases, save to editing, format, create basic tables, forms, queries and reports to manage data and retrieve information quickly.

Access II- Beyond the Basics of Database Management
Go beyond the basics of database management - import data from a spreadsheet, export a table from an existing database and merge a table from a database into a document. Create and use customized forms, reports and a switchboard.

Access III- Database Relationships and Queries
(Prerequisite: experience using Access on a daily basis) Covers database terms and concepts. Build a relational database from scratch and create tables. Define relationships between tables and understand some rules for building a relational database. Write queries using the design view, SQL view, and query wizard. Create and understand indexes. Understand the basics of data model normalization and build a relational database from scratch.

Access IV- Visual Basic in Access
Manipulate data in your database using Visual Basic. Covers elements, dealing with datasets, higher-level error checking (checking against multiple items), and basic programming structures (statements, loop, and logicals). Programming experience is not required.

Excel I - Basics of Spreadsheets
Create data-rich, professional-looking spreadsheets. Covers the very basics of spreadsheets, from creating and saving to editing and formatting. Create easy-to-understand charts.

Excel II - Beyond the Basics of Spreadsheets
Use comments, create conditional formatting, work with IF statements, link workbooks, insert headers & footers, sort lists, do more with charts, and create mailing lists.

Excel III - Macros and Functions
Delve deep into the power of Excel. Use powerful functions (countif, trim, ceiling, lookup, subtotals, and more) to extend your functions, create macros by recording keystrokes and then updating the Visual Basic code. Information on Pivot Tables, screen layout, Excel Options, and best practices.

Dreamweaver - Web Page Design I
Create you own web page using Macromedia Dreamweaver MX. This workshop covers Web development application, including the Dreamweaver environment, managing HTML code, working with links, creating a basic web page and defining a site. Bring your information and ideas for your web page to the workshop.

Dreamweaver-Web Page Design II
(Prerequisite: Web Page Design I) Explore the next steps in Macromedia Dreamweaver MX to work with images, tables and text, with an emphasis on page layout and design techniques using tables.

Dreamweaver-Web Page Design III
(Prerequisite: Web Page Design II) Work with advan ced web site creation features available in Macromedia Dreamweaver MX, including libraries, behaviors and advan ced site management techniques.

Dreamweaver - Web Page design IV
(Prerequisite: Web Page Design III) Build a sample web site in this hands-on workshop for an opportunity to apply your acquired skills in a "real world" situation.

Microsoft Project
Keep a handle on the big projects. This workshop goes through a simulated project building the schedule, time costing, resource scheduling, and actual project length. Use the Gantt chart to build dependences, view progress, and schedule concurrent tasks. Get useful reports on projects and build a template.

PowerPoint I- Basics of Creating Presentations
Create professional, powerful and effective computerized presentations. Organize and format your material easily, and illustrate your points with images, clip art, and sound. This is a very basic hands-on workshop.

PowerPoint II - Beyond the Basics of Creating Presentations -
(Prerequisite: experience using Microsoft PowerPoint) Go beyond the basics to create customized professional presentations. Work with design templates, create organization and flow charts and much more for a positive impression and appearance. This is a hands-on workshop.

QuickBooks
Covers the basic functions of this number one selling small business accounting program. In addition to this day-long workshop, receive the QuickBooks learning guide.

Advanced QuickBooks
Covers import/export of data including software that facilitates the process, tracking costs, how to handle bulk inventory, NSF checks, modifying reports, add-on software, vendor statement reports, customized letter writing using QuickBooks data, discussion and exploration of specific issues brought to the workshop by participants.

Publisher - Basics of Desktop Publishing
Create customized published materials. Cover the very basics of putting together newsletters, brochures, flyers, letterhead and business cards. Publish easily on your desktop printer, at a copy shop or commercial print shop. This is a hands-on workshop. Come with a project or idea.

Word I - Basics of Word Processing
Create professional-looking documents. Covers the very basics of word processing, from creating and saving to editing and formatting a document. 

Word II - Beyond the Basics of Word Processing
(Prerequisite: experience using Microsoft Word) Go beyond the basics of word processing - create templates, forms, columns, and work with tables. Improve you efficiency by using mail merge to send the same letter to a list of people.

Creating Website Traffic
Covers how search engines rank web pages in their results, which search phrases people use to find websites like yours, minor modifications to make your website rank higher in search results, how to read website statistics, and how to submit to a search engine including which to submit to, and which to avoid. Participate in a demonstration of a search engine ranking analysis tool. Understand the importance of link popularity. Discuss pay per click advertising, search engine submission services, and avoiding mistakes and scams.

Navigating Microsoft Office 2007 Programs
Are you fluent in Fluent?  Fluent is Microsoft's new "ribbon" interface”.  Join us for morning coffee and enjoy a guided tour through the new MS Office 2007. People who haven't used MS Office products before will appreciate this new user friendly format.  Understanding why the interface was recreated will help MS Office 2003 users adjust more quickly to this new application.

GIMP I – Basics in the Photoshop Alternative
Do everything you can do with Photoshop in GIMP – a free internet download!  This workshop covers transparencies, red-eye removal, layers, cut, crop, selective colorization, file size reduction, smudge, blur, sharpen, and script-fu (programs to give your pictures incredible effects).  GIMP will be used in the workshop, however, the information taught is transferable to Photoshop as well.

Dynamic Web Pages Using ASP
Create dynamic web pages using Microsoft's ASP. This workshop covers making a connection to a database and storing information that can easily be updatable and creating simple SQL statements.

Free Software
Buying software can be an expensive venture but it doesn't have to be. There are free downloads available that will do what you need without the expense. From antivirus software to photo editing, PDF creation, computer remote control and more, find out how you can download and use the free software available online.

Website Animation - Basics of FLASH   Make attention grabbing animations for your website. Also make vectored graphics on multiple layers and use them with motion and shape tweens to make some eye catching effects.  Use the built in effects to take a lot of the work out of making simple effects. Make a splash with Flash!

Website Animation - Basics of FLASH   Make attention grabbing animations for your website. Also make vectored graphics on multiple layers and use them with motion and shape tweens to make some eye catching effects.  Use the built in effects to take a lot of the work out of making simple effects. Make a splash with Flash!

 

 

Cancellation and Refund Policy

• Cancellations received more than 24 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop will be honored with a full refund.
• Participants failing to cancel their registration more than 24 hours prior to the beginning of the workshop will be charged the full registration fee.
• The UMD Center for Economic Development reserves the right to cancel any program not meeting minimum enrollment requirements. A full refund will be given if a workshop has been cancelled. Cancellations are made 24 hours prior to the beginning of each workshop.

The Minnesota Small Business Development Center program is funded by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development, and the sponsors of regional and local centers. SBA's funding is not an endorsement of any products, opinions or services. Small Business Development Center services are provided without discrimination as to race, gender, color, creed, religion, disability, national origin, marital status, or sexual orientation. Upon prior request to the Small Business Development Center office from which services are sought, arrangements will be made to reasonably accommodate persons with disabilities.