Training Course: IT02 - Award in Fundamental IT Skills at the Workplace

Course Description: This course will assume that the participants have little or no knowledge and experience on the use of software and hardware within an office working environment. It is aimed at instilling confidence with operating hardware and software packages which are commonly found at the participants’ place of work. It may also serve as a refresher opportunity for those employees who wish to return to work after an extended career break.

EQF/ MQF Level: Level 2                                                       ECTS per course: 4

Mode of Delivery: Traditional/ Face to Face                         Total Hours: 100 hours

Mode of Attendance: Part Time                                           Language: English    

Programme Duration: 2 Weeks

Target Audience: 16-18, 25+,

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Target Group: This course is aimed at post-secondary schooling learners but can also be followed by any candidates within the educational system. It is particularly aimed at students, unemployed and job seekers interested in acquiring a basic knowledge of computing and office software applications.

Accreditation Category: Further Education Programme

Accredited by: Malta Further & Higher Education Authority. (MFHEA).

Course Structure:  This course will assume that the participants have little or no knowledge and experience on the use of software and hardware within an office working environment. It is aimed at instilling confidence with operating hardware and software packages which are commonly found at the participants' place of work. It may also serve as a refresher opportunity for those employees who wish to return to work after an extended career break.

Upon completion of this course, the participants should be able to:

Knowledge

-          Outline the process of logging on and off and restarting a computer.

-          Identify different IT hardware commonly used within an office environment.

-          Understand how different hardware may be connected to a local computer.

-          Understand good practices of file management on a local computer.

-          Understand how word processing applications may be used within an office environment to perform basic processes.

-          Know how to send text emails, including attachments.

-          Know how to browse the internet to access services related to the office environment.

-          Understand the importance of updating operating systems and anti-virus software application.

Skills

-          Distinguish between the different hardware equipment found at the place of work

-          Disconnect and reconnect commonly used hardware equipment to local computers.

-          Organise files and folders within a local environment.

-          Create, edit, save, and print word-processing documents.

-          Compose, reply to, and send text emails to single or multiple recipients.

-          Attach files to emails.

-          Download and save files received by email.

-          Operate commonly used web-browsing applications to access online government services, employment, and health services.

-          Perform basic monitoring and updating of antivirus applications installed on a local computer.

-          Perform scans of specific drives, files, and folders with particular emphasis on USB drives.

-          Identify straightforward problems by accessing the taskbar items.

-          Shut down non-responsive applications

-          Apply basic troubleshooting on a local computer.

Competences

-          Operate computers and commonly used office hardware effectively to carry out routing office tasks effectively and efficiently.

-          Manage personal office computers effectively through correct file- management processes.

-          Use word-processing, email and internet browsing software packages to retrieve, communicate and exchange information effectively.

-          Maintain personal office computers in a good working condition through the correct use of antivirus software packages.

-          Identify and carry out simple troubleshooting actions on personal office computers.   

Entry Requirements: Be aged 16 +, have a basic secondary education /school leaving certificate • Be able to communicate both orally and in written English – evidence includes:

(a) School leaving certificate indicating a pass in English or

(b) Certificate indicating a ‘B1 level’ of English.

Outline of Course: This module will address the participants' initial apprehension of the IT world by bringing them closer to basic hardware and software applications which are commonly found at the workplace. This module will cover basic computer hardware setups, accessing the computer and basic best practices about maintaining computers in a good working condition.

Learning Outcomes:

Competences: - at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

-          Operate computers and commonly used office hardware effectively to be able to carry out routine office tasks effectively and efficiently.

-          Manage personal office computers effectively through correct file- management processes.

-          Maintain personal office computers in a good working condition through the correct use of installed antivirus software packages.

-          Identify and carry out simple troubleshooting actions on personal office computers.

Knowledge

The main types of computers and IT devices.

-          The function and purpose of key components of a computer.

-          Function and basic connection of IT hardware to computers.

-          Identification and use of common computer ports.

-          Identification of different types of operating systems.

-          Best practices related to the principles of a well-structured, basic hierarchical file-management system.

-          Risks related to internet access and the purpose of anti-virus applications and updating operating systems processes to address such threats.

Skills:

The learner will be able to:

-          Operate the main types of computers (namely, desktops, laptops, and tablets) and IT devices (namely, smart phones and smart speakers) within a work environment.

-          Describe the function and purpose of key components of a computer, namely, drives, Random Access Memory (RAM), Central Processing Unit (CPU).

-          Demonstrate the function and basic connections of IT hardware to computers, namely printers, monitors, keyboard and mouse, audio speakers and webcams, card readers and network routers. (The setting up of drives and applications is not required at this level).

-          Connect hardware to computers by matching common computer cables with the respective ports such as power (240 V) ports, VGA ports, USB ports, HDMI ports, network ports and audio ports.

-          Maintain and manipulate the computer desktop and taskbar.

-          Rename, move, and delete desktop icons.

-          Name and rename files and folders according to good file-management practices

-          Apply best practices related to the principles of a well-structured, basic hierarchical file-management system.

-          Illustrate the risks related to internet access and how anti-virus applications and up-to-date operating systems address such threats.

-          Operate anti-virus applications to address threats related to accessing the internet.

-          Start, restart, log on and off and shut down a computer.

-          Shut down a non-responsive application and a non-responsive computer (using task manager or power button)

Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities

The learner will be able to:

-          Solve basic IT related connection issues which are commonly encountered at the workplace.

-          Perform troubleshooting procedures to solve basic IT problems which the learner may have not encountered before.

-          Identify problems which require additional technical support and communicate the type of problem effectively.

Module-Specific Communication Skills

The learner will be able to:

-          Be able to communicate with technical support staff over the phone to troubleshoot basic IT related issues.

Module-Specific Learner Skills

The learner will be able to:

-         Operate and manipulate newly acquired or upgraded equipment within the workplace.

Learning Outcome 1: Outcome Type – Skill

Express him/herself appropriately using word processing software packages. Communicate effectively and efficiently by sending and receiving emails. Retrieve information by accessing the internet. Communicate problems regarding hardware and software operations with superiors and qualified IT technicians.

Learning Outcome 2: Outcome Type - Knowledge

Transfer the acquired knowledge and skills to new environments. Develop the appropriate predispositions on the potential of IT at the workplace.

Assessment:

This course will be assessed in three parts:
Part 1: Multiple choice questions assessing the basic use and the management of local computers and anti-virus applications.  Questions will also be set to assess basic IT troubleshooting skills.                        
Part 2: Class-based exercises assessing word processing skills.
Part 3: Class-based exercises assessing internet browsing and email skills.

The maximum mark for this course is set at 100%.  To be awarded a certificate, participants are required to achieve a minimum aggregate of 50% of the maximum mark. 

Hours of Total Learning – 100:

Total Contact Hours: 32

Self-Study Hours: 44

Supervised Practice Hours: 20

Assessment Hours: 4

Course Fee: €560 per person (min 6 persons)

Date of Next Intake: January 2024