Technology Proficiency Exam Policies

1. passing the ASC Technology Proficiency examination with a grade of 70% or higher in each of the four major content areas
2. passing an approved technology course with a grade of C or better.

• For PowerPoint, Word, Access & Excel:
  http://www.fgcu.edu/support/office2000/
• For Windows & Information Technology:
  http://www.jegsworks.com/Lessons/index.html

A. Hardware

1. Recognize differences in terms of capacity, speed, cost and typical users for different types of computers (mainframe, workstation, desktop, and laptop).
2. Know the main parts of a personal computer: CPU, hard disk, input/output devices, types of memory, removable storage devices (diskette, zip disk, CD-ROM)
3. Know what the function of the CPU is (calculations, logic control, immediate access memory) and how the speed of a CPU is measured (MHz)
4. Know some of the main devices for inputting data into a computer: mouse, keyboard, and scanner.
5. Know the most common output devices for displaying the results of processing carried out by the computer: CRT (monitor), printer, and speakers. Recognize that other output devices (e.g., speech synthesizers) are also available.
6. Compare the main types of memory storage devices (hard disk, CD-ROM, diskette, zip disk) in terms of speed, cost, and capacity.
7. Understand different types of computer memory (RAM and ROM), and know when each is used. Know that more memory is required as data increases in complexity. Be familiar with the terms commonly employed for memory: bit, byte, kilobyte, megabyte, gigabyte.
8. Know some of the factors that impact a computer's performance, such as CPU brand types, clock speed, bus, instruction set, memory, and cache.

B. Software

1. Know the meanings of and differences between operating systems software and applications software.
2. Understand the main functions of an operating system (file management, resource management, interface between user and computer). Be familiar with Graphical User Interface (GUI) systems and know some of their advantages.
3. Know the appropriate uses for some common applications software packages (e.g., word processing, spreadsheet, database, presentation, desktop publishing, multimedia, graphics, and music)
4. Understand the complexity inherent in and the various levels of testing (alpha and beta) required for the development of good software.

C. Database Knowledge (see the SmartForce tutorial Office 97

1. Know what a database is.
2. Know some of the essential features of databases, including types of databases (relational and hierarchical), the hierarchy of data in a database (bit, byte/character, field, record, table or file, database), and database management systems [DBMS] (tables, queries, reports).
3. Know the advantages of using databases compared to spreadsheets and word processors.
4. Know typical uses for databases such as library holdings, for checkbooks, maintaining inventory, keeping employee and customer records, searching for information on topics of interest, and World Wide Web search engines.
5. Know what is necessary to have a good database system, including data integrity (valid data and validation of data), data independence (storage of data in a manner accessible to a variety of software programs), data security, data maintenance (adding, deleting, and updating records), and avoidance of data redundancy.

D. Information Networks

1. Know the definitions of Local Area Network (LAN) and Wide Area Network (WAN). Know some advantages of working and sharing resources over a network.
2. Know some of the various ways that computers can be connected to "the outside world": telephone line (modem), cable, satellite, and digital subscriber line (DSL). Know some of the advantages/disadvantages of each type of connection.
3. Know some of the terminology typically associated with computer connectivity: digital, analog, baud, and bandwidth.
4. Understand the term electronic mail and know the uses of e-mail. Know what is needed in terms of both software and hardware to send and receive e-mail. Be aware of common courtesies and college policies regarding e-mail (NO SPAMMING!)
5. Know what the Internet is and some of its common uses. Know what a search engine is and how it works. Understand the distinction between the Internet and the World Wide Web.
6. Know some of the common terminology used with the Internet, such as: home page, hyperlink, URL, browser, search engine, portal, intranet, bookmark, and HTML.

E. Computers in Everyday Life

1. Recognize that computers and microprocessors are ubiquitous in everyday life- they are found in microwave ovens, stoves, automatic watering systems, automobiles, audio/video components, checkout registers, libraries, security systems, gas pumps, etc.
2. Know some of the capabilities and uses of a personal computer at home and at a job. Know when a computer may be more appropriate than a person for a specific task and vice-versa.

F. Information Technology and Society

1. Understand the terms Information Society and Information Superhighway. Understand the concept of electronic commerce and how that is changing society and the way we do business.
2. Understand how modern uses of technology (including but not limited to the Internet) have changed and will continue to change our society. 3. Be aware of safety and health issues and know what constitutes a good working environment when using computers (e.g., be sure all connections, including power, are secure and that cords are not in the way; have sufficient ventilation for the computer; pay attention to ergonomics; take frequent breaks; etc.).

G. Security and Legal Issues

1. Know the value of backing up computer files to removable storage devices. Know how to protect a personal computer against unwanted intrusion. Know about good password policies. Know what happens to your data and files in the event of a power outage.
2. Understand the term "virus" as applied to computing. Be aware of how viruses can enter a computer system. Understand the dangers of downloading files onto your computer. Know about basic anti-virus software.
3. Understand other ways that computers can be attacked, such as denial of services, flooding, Trojan horses, and identity theft.
4. Understand copyright and some of the main security and legal issues associated with copying, sharing, and lending diskettes and information gathered over the Internet. Understand some of the implications of transferring files across a network. Understand the terms shareware, freeware, and user license.
5. Understand legal issues regarding downloading of digital music, especially MP3 files.

A. Getting Started

1. Be able to start, shut down properly, and restart the computer.
2. Be able to format a diskette.
3. Use available help functions.

B. Working With the Operating System (Windows or MacOS)

1. Recognize and be able to select/move basic desktop icons such as hard disk, directories/folders/files, recycle bin/wastebasket.
2. Recognize the different parts of the desktop window: title bar, toolbar, menu bar, status bar, and icon.
3. Understand how to reduce and enlarge a desktop window, how to resize and scale a desktop window, and how to close a desktop window.
4. Recognize the different parts of an applications window: title bar, toolbar, menu bar, status bar, and scroll bar. Be able to move windows on the desktop window.
5. Understand how to reduce and enlarge an applications window, how to resize and scale an applications window, and how to close an applications window. Be able to move between different open applications windows.
6. Understand how to cut and paste data from one application to another.

C. Organizing Files

1. Understand the basic directory/folder structure on the computer.
2. Be able to create a directory/folder and further sub-directories/sub-folders.
3. Be able to examine a directory/folder and to view some of the attributes such as name, size, and date when last updated.
4. Be able to recognize the most widely used types of files in a directory/folder (word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, database, graphics, video, and music.)
5. Be able to view file attributes such as name, size, file type, and date last modified.
6. Be able to re-name files and directories/folders.
7. Be able to select files individually or as part of a group.
8. Be able to copy and paste files and to move files within directories/folders.
9. Be able to make backup copies of data onto a diskette or zip disk.
10. Be able to delete files from one or more directories/folders and to delete selected directories/folders.
11. Be able to locate specific files/folders/directories using an appropriate tool. Be able to search for a file by name, date created, type, size, and contents.

D. Basic Applications Operations

1. Be able to launch (open) a typical application (word-processing, spreadsheet) and create a file for both Mac and PC systems.
2. Be able to save the file to a directory/folder on the hard drive.
3. Be able to save the file to a directory/folder on a diskette or zip disk for both Mac and PC systems.
4. Be able to save the file to a directory/folder on a network drive.
5. Be able to print the file from an installed printer.
6. Be able to close the application.

A. Getting Started

1. Be able to open a word processing application.
2. Be able to open existing documents, make modifications, and save the documents.
3. Be able to create a new document and save it to hard disk, diskette or zip disk, and a network drive.
4. Be able to use help functions.
5. Be able to use view menu.
6. Be able to show or hide the toolbar display.
7. Be able to save documents under file formats other than the default (e.g., rich text format or text-only). 8. Be able to save documents as HTML format, for use in creating web pages. 9. Be able to close the application.

B. Basic Operations

1. Be able to insert characters, special symbols, words, sentences, and larger amounts of text into a document.
2. Be able to use the undo command.
3. Be able to insert page breaks into a document.
4. Be able to insert images or graphics files into a document.
5. Be able to select single characters, words, sentences, paragraphs, or an entire document.
6. Be able to use Copy, Cut, and Paste tools correctly and effectively.
7. Be able to transfer text between active documents.
8. Be able to delete text.
9. Be able to search for and replace specific words and phrases in a document. 10. Be able to create standard tables.

C. Formatting Documents

1. Be able to change both types and sizes of fonts.
2. Be able to use italics, underlining, and boldfacing.
3. Be able to change justification of text.
4. Be able to indent text (first line and entire paragraph).
5. Be able to change line spacing.

D. Finishing Documents

1. Be able to insert page numbering in a document.
2. Be able to use spell-check programs. Recognize that this does not constitute proofreading of the document, which must still be done manually.
3. Be able to modify the document setup: margins, page orientation, and size.
4. Be able to print-preview a document.
5. Be able to use basic print options to print a document from an installed printer.

A. Getting Started

1. Be able to open a spreadsheet application.
2. Be able to open existing spreadsheets, make modifications, and save the spreadsheets.
3. Be able to create a new spreadsheet and save it to hard disk, diskette or zip disk, and a network drive.
4. Be able to use help functions.
5. Be able to save spreadsheets as HTML format, for use in creating web pages. 6. Be able to close the application.

B. Basic Operations

1. Be able to enter numbers, text, special symbols or characters, and simple formulas in a cell.
2. Be able to use the undo command.
3. Be able to select a single cell and a range of adjacent cells.
4. Be able to select a single row or column and a range of adjacent rows or columns.
5. Be able to use copy and paste tools correctly and effectively to duplicate and move cell contents to another part of a worksheet.
6. Be able to move cell contents between active worksheets and between active spreadsheets.
7. Be able to delete cell contents.
8. Be able to insert and delete rows and columns.
9. Be able to modify column width.
10. Be able to sort selected data in ascending or descending order.
11. Be able to produce different types of charts and graphs (pie charts, bar charts, line graphs, and scatter graphs.) from spreadsheet data.
12. Be able to add titles to charts and graphs.
13. Be able to change types of charts and graphs.

C. Formulas and Functions

1. Be able to use basic arithmetic and logical formulas involving addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division in a spreadsheet.
2. Be able to understand and use relative cell referencing in formulas or functions. 3. Be able to understand and use absolute cell referencing in formulas or functions.
3. Be able to use the sum function and the average function in a spreadsheet.

D. Formatting

1. Be able to format cells to display different number styles: number of decimal places, number of zeros after the decimal point, with or without commas to indicate thousands, as standard US currency style.

E. Finishing the Spreadsheet

1. Be able to adjust spreadsheet setup to fit one page.
2. Be able to change spreadsheet orientation - portrait or landscape, and page size.
3. Be able to add gridlines to spreadsheet before printing.
4. Be able to print-preview a spreadsheet.
5. Be able to print a spreadsheet or a worksheet or only a selected portion of a worksheet from an installed printer.

A. Getting Started

1. Be able to open a presentation application.
2. Be able to open existing presentations, make modifications, and save the presentations to hard disk, diskette or zip disk, and network drive.
3. Be able to change the display modes (slide view, slide-sorter view, outline view, slide-show view, and notes view.)
4. Be able to use help functions.
5. Be able to close the application.

B. Basic Operations

1. Be able to create a new presentation.
2. Be able to use the undo command
3. Be able to choose an appropriate slide layout form for individual slides (title slide, chart, chart and text, bulleted list, etc.)
4. Be able to modify slide layout.
5. Be able to add text, text boxes, and images to slides.
6. Be able to re-order slides within a presentation.
7. Be able to delete one or more slides from a presentation.
8. Be able to re-size and move a text box and images within a slide.
9. Be able to import other objects such as spreadsheets, tables, charts, graphs, and graphics files to slides.

A. Getting Started With the Internet

1. Be able to open a Web-browsing application.
2. Understand the make-up and structure of a Web address.
3. Be able to display a given Web page.
4. Be able to display a given Web page without loading image files.
5. Be able to change the Web browser home/start page.
6. Be able to use help functions.
7. Be able to close the Web browser application.

B. Web Navigation

1. Be able to open a URL.
2. Be able to open a hyperlink or an image link and return to original page.
3. Be able to browse a specified site and use find functions if necessary to locate desired information.
4. Be able to open a bookmarked/favorite Web page.
5. Be able to bookmark a specific Web page.

C. Web Searching

1. Be able to effectively and efficiently use more than one search engine.
2. Be able to use key words in a search.
3. Be able to specify search requirements such as language, date range, and presence of image.
4. Be able to use common logical operators (Boolean search terms) in a search.
5. Be able to print a Web page using basic print options with an installed printer.

D. Getting Started with Electronic Mail

1. Be able to open the User Services-supported e-mail application.
2. Be able to open a mail inbox for a specified user.
3. Be able to open a mail message.
4. Be able to delete a mail message.
5. Be able to use help functions.
6. Be able to close the e-mail application.

E. Creating, Reading, and Replying to Electronic Mail

1. Be able to create a new message.
2. Be able to insert an e-mail address in the "mailto" field.
3. Be able to insert a title in the subject field.
4. Be able to use spell-checking feature if available.
5. Be able to attach a file to a message.
6. Be able to use copy, cut, and paste tools to duplicate, move, and insert text from one message to another location in the same message or to another message.
7. Be able to delete text in a message and a file attachment from a message.
8. Be able to open and save a file attachment.
9. Be able to use "reply to sender" and "reply to all" functions.
10. Be able to reply both with and without original message insertion.
11. Be able to forward a message.

F. Library Information

1. Recognize the limits and possibilities of information literacy.
2. Decide where to obtain a scholarly resource - print or electronic.

A. General Information

1. Be aware that there are five open-access computer labs and several specialty computer labs on campus.
2. Be aware of the main supported software packages and understand the benefits of using supported software.
3. Be aware of hardware, other than computers, available in the open-access labs.
4. Understand the functionality of the network and the portal and why it is necessary to log onto these systems.
5. Be aware of the provisions of the ASC computer users' policy.
6. Know how to access help tips through the Computing Services Web site.