Mission

The ITCT division intends to provide elite, premier and cost-effective information and communications technology services, and attempts to promote a greater awareness and full utilization of ICT skills in the public and private sectors.

Goals

The Information Technology and Computer Training Division aims at

§         Imparting theoretical knowledge and practical skills in computing and information technology applications

§         Providing organizations with skills for using software and hardware technology to solve managerial problems.

§         Computerizing institutional functions and developing in-house software systems for LIPAM and its clients.

• Conducting career courses in Information and Communication Technology 

Specific Objectives

The division intends to:

• Provide short term courses focusing on the use of common computer application packages and operating systems software

• Conduct career programmes that are internationally recognized in collaboration with other institutions

• Design and maintain websites for clients and the institute

• Computerize essential functions and secure sensitive information within the institute and other organizations

• Undertake research and consultancies in ICT related territories

• Organize workshops and seminars on topical issues of ICT in order to sensitize the public on new innovations in technology

• Support and provide ICT facilities for institutional activities

• Allocate, manage and maintain all ICT equipment within the institute

Basic Computing

AIM

The course is meant to introduce new users to computer hardware and software. It also equips them with skills for operating them.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Identify and use different components of computer systems

• Navigate and use Windows XP and its utilities to carry out basic computer operations

• Use Microsoft Word and Excel for word processing and spreadsheets

Target Group

Beginners in the use of personal computers from public and private organizations

COURSE CONTENT

• Basic concepts of Information and Communications Technology

ü      Definitions

ü      Classification

ü      Uses of computers

• Computer Hardware 

ü      Input devices

ü      Processing

ü      Output devices

• Computer software e.g. operating systems, utilities and applications

ü      Windows XP

ü      Utilities

ü      Microsoft word

ü      Microsoft Excel

Methodology: Lectures, hands on PC practicals and exercises

Assessment: Written and practical tests

Duration: 3 Weeks

References

1.      Nelson Stephen L., (1999), Office 2000: The Complete Reference, McGraw Hill, U.S.A.

2.      Parker Charles S., Morley Deborah, (2003), Understanding Computers Today and Tomorrow, Thomson Learning, U.S.A.

3.      Reid David A, Weverka Peter, (1999), Word 2000: The Complete Reference, McGraw Hill, U.S.A.

4.      Timothy J O’Leary, Linda I. O’Leary; 2004, Computing Today; McGraw Hill, New York.

Introduction To Internet Technology

AIM

The Internet enables users to access information posted on the World Wide Web and other forums in a matter of seconds regardless of where the information is stored. Participants will learn to use this technology to improve service delivery and information dissemination within organizations.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the type of software and hardware required for Internet connectivity

• Use internet services/applications

• Navigate the Internet to access information relevant to their organizational duties and individual careers

Target Group

Interested people should have attended the Basic Computing course or any other introductory computer course

COURSE CONTENT

• Basic concepts of Computer Networking

ü      Network topologies

ü      Types of networks

• Communication software and hardware

ü      Modems

ü      Network cards

ü      Internet explorer

ü      Outlook express

ü      Dial up connection

• Understanding internet connectivity

ü      Connectivity technologies

ü      Leased line connection

ü      LAN connectivity

ü      Dial Up Connection 

• Internet services/applications

ü      WWW

ü      E-mail

ü      Newsgroups

ü      Video conferencing etc.

• IT security strategy

ü      Firewalls

ü      Antivirus

• Using E-mail facility

ü      Creating e-mail account

ü      Managing e-mail account

ü      Protecting e-mail messages

Methodology: Lectures, hands on PC practicals and exercises

Assessment: Written and practical tests

Duration: 1 Week

References

1.      Lawson Jenny; (2001), Information and Communication Technology, Dorset Press, Dorchester.

2.      Manning William, Fuller Floyd, (1999), Getting Started with the Internet, Harcourt Brace College Publishers, U.S.A.

3.      McKeown Patrick, (2003), Information Technology and the Networked Economy, Thomson U.S.A. 

  Introduction To Website Design, Development & Maintenance

AIM

The course will equip participants with skills in designing, developing and maintaining professional business websites.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate between the Internet and the World Wide Web

• Create web pages using HTML/Dream weaver

• Publish websites using Microsoft FrontPage

• Conduct basic website maintenance

Target Group

Interested people should be experienced users of computers and be familiar with the Internet

COURSE CONTENT

• Cost effective use of Internet services

ü      Selecting type of connection

ü      Navigating web-pages offline

• Introduction to HTML

ü      Using HTML tags

ü      Using FrontPage and Dream Weaver

ü      Designing web pages

• Setting up and administering a website

ü      Developing a website

ü      Applying scripts

• Website publishing

ü      Selecting an appropriate service provider

ü      Hosting a website

• Website maintenance

ü      Updating a website

ü      Downloading and uploading information

• Basic website security

ü      Protecting source code and graphics

Methodology: Lectures, hands on PC practicals and exercises

Assessment: Written and practical tests

Duration: 2 Weeks

References

1.      Cross Tina, Jones Collette, (2001), Information and Communication Technology with Programming, Pearson, England.

2.      Jordan Tim, (2000), Cyber power the Culture and Politics of Cyberspace and the Internet, Rutledge, London.

3.      Manning William, Fuller Floyd, (1999), Getting Started with the Internet, Harcourt Brace College Publishers, U.S.A.

4.      Matthews Martin S., Paulsen Erik B., (1999), FrontPage 2000: The Complete Reference, McGraw Hill, U.S.A.

5.      Morley Deborah, (2000), Getting Started: Web Page Design with Microsoft FrontPage 2000, Harcourt College Publishers, U.S.A.

 Desktop Publishing

AIM

The course will provide tools and techniques for producing brochures, flyers, invitation cards, newsletters etc.

OBJECTIVE

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

§         Produce publication documents using desktop publisher

Target Group

Computer users who are interested in publishing and have attended Basic Computing or an equivalent course

COURSE CONTENT

§         Navigate Publisher interface

ü      Types of layout

ü      Publication Wizards

ü      Publication Designs

ü      Creating multi-page documents

• Manipulating text by formatting

ü      Fonts

ü      Colour

ü      Changing design

• Using design wizards and graphic elements

ü      Applying wizards to publications

ü      Using toolbars

ü      Wrapping text around graphics

ü      Testing appearance and layout of the design

Methodology: Lectures, hands on PC practicals and exercises

Assessment: Written and practical tests

Duration: 1 Week

References

1.      Lawson Jenny, (2001), Information and Communication Technology, Dorset Press, Dorchester.

2.      Morley Deborah, (2000) Getting Started: Web Page Design with Microsoft FrontPage 2000, Harcourt College Publishers, U.S.A.

3.      Nelson Stephen L., (1999), Office 2000 The Complete Reference, McGraw Hill, U.S.A.

Introduction to Information & Communication Technology

AIM

The course covers the basic Office applications that can enhance productivity in the workplace.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Use word processing application such as Microsoft Word

• Design spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel

• Create presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint

• Produce publications using Microsoft Publisher

• Navigate internet through Microsoft Explorer

Target Group

Interested people should have attended the Basic Computing course or any other introductory computer course

COURSE CONTENT

• Word processing using Microsoft Word

ü      Creating documents using wizards

ü      Formatting documents

ü      Headers and footers

ü      Footnoting

ü      Creating table of contents

ü      Tables

ü      WordArt

ü      Mail merging

ü      Protecting documents with passwords

• Spreadsheet functions using Microsoft Excel

ü      Creating workbook/worksheets

ü      Entering text, value and label

ü      Function wizards

ü      Formatting wizards

ü      Naming worksheets

ü      Formulas

ü      Functions

ü      Charts

• Presentations using Microsoft PowerPoint

ü      Using wizards

ü      Design Templates

ü      Slide auto layout

ü      Inserting and deleting slides

ü      Slide transition

ü      Using digital projector

• Graphic designing using Microsoft Publisher

ü      Publisher interface

ü      Using wizards layout

ü      Manipulating text

ü      Designing guides and graphic element

• Application of Internet services

ü      World wide web

ü      Search engines

ü      Email

ü      Newsgroups

Methodology: Lectures, hands on PC practicals and exercises

Assessment: Written and practical tests

Duration: 5 Weeks

References

1.      Lawson Jenny, (2001), Information and Communication Technology, Dorset Press, Dorchester.

2.      Nelson Stephen L., (1999), Office 2000: The Complete Reference, McGraw Hill, U.S.A.

3.      Parker Charles S., Morley Deborah, (2003), Understanding Computers Today and Tomorrow, Thomson Learning U.S.A..

4.      Timothy J O’Leary, Linda I. O’Leary; (2004), Computing Today, McGraw Hill New York. 

    PC Architechure & Operating Systems

AIM

The course will equip participants with technical skills and knowledge in PC repair and troubleshooting as well as installation of operating systems.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Assemble and dismantle a PC

• Install operating systems

• Troubleshoot and diagnose technical problems

Target Group

Interested people should have attended the Basic Computing course or any other introductory computer course

COURSE CONTENT

• PC, memory, disk system architecture

ü      Input/output devices

ü      Memory

ü      Disk management

• Installing operating system

ü      Hardware/ software Installation requirements

ü      Preparing for installation

ü      Starting the installation

ü      Upgrading software

ü      Configuring software

ü      Installing drivers

• Preventive maintenance

ü      Antivirus software

ü      Creating and using emergency disk

ü      Types of Back up

• Networking fundamentals

ü      Network topologies

ü      Network types

ü      Network communication

ü      Network connectivity

• Configuring network software

ü      Installing network hardware/software

ü      Enabling resource sharing

ü      Managing TCP/IP

ü      Setting up IP addresses

• Troubleshooting techniques

ü      Hardware troubleshooting

ü      Software troubleshooting

ü      Printer troubleshooting

Methodology: Lectures, hands on PC practicals and exercises

Assessment: Written and practical tests

Duration: 3 Weeks

References

1.      Groth David, Newland Dan, (2001), A+ Complete Study Guide, Sybex Alameda U.S.A.

2.      McKeown Patrick, (2003), Information Technology and the Networked Economy, Thomson U.S.A.

3.      Wessels P.L., (1999), Information Systems in a Business Environment, Butterworth Publishers, South Africa.

4.      Woodhill Albert S., Tanenbaum Andrew S., (1997), Operating Systems Design and Implementation, Prentice Hall.  

  Electronic Records Management

AIM

The course covers effective and flexible ways of collecting, storing, updating and retrieving data, so as to enhance productivity.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Create and operate a database

• Manage data stored electronically

• Produce reports according to specified criteria

Target Group

Interested people should have attended the Basic Computing course or any other introductory computer course

COURSE CONTENT

• Creation of databases

ü      Records

ü      Tables

ü      Forms

ü      Queries

ü      Reports

• Relational databases

ü      Table relationship

ü      Customizing queries, forms and reports

• Database design

ü      Importing and linking data

ü      Referential integrity

ü      Query designs

ü      Form designs

Methodology: Lectures, hands on PC practicals and exercises

Assessment: Written and practical tests

Duration: 2 Weeks

References

1.      Andersen Virginia, (1999); Access 2000: The Complete Reference, McGraw Hill U.S.A.

2.      Lawson Jenny, (2001), Information and Communication Technology, Dorset Press, Dorchester.

3.      Rob Peter, Coronel Carlos, (1997), Database Systems, Course Technology, U.S.A.

4.      Smith Peter, Siller Joy, Poynton Tony, Exon Maggie, (1995), Introduction to Records Management, Longman.

5.      Wendy Currie, (1995), Management Strategy for IT, An International Perspective, Pitman Publishing, London.

 Presentation Skills Using Powerpoint

AIM

The participants will be exposed to Microsoft PowerPoint as an ideal application for presentation of reports, conference papers, research findings etc. to audiences. It offers animation effects and graphics that can enhance presentations.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, participants will be able to:

• Design presentations using wizards and template slides

• Enhance presentations with graphics, animation effects and sound

• Present reports and other documents to audiences electronically

Target Group

Interested people should have attended the Basic Computing course or any other introductory computer course

COURSE CONTENT

• Preparation of presentation

ü      Types of presentation layout

ü      Selecting presentation layout

ü      Inserting and deleting slides

• Design and formatting

ü      Adding text and graphics to slides

ü      Applying formatting tools on slides

ü      Applying animation effects

• Presentation techniques

ü      Slide transition

ü      Using digital data projector

Methodology: Lectures, hands on PC practicals and exercises

Assessment: Written and practical tests

Duration: 1 Week

Reference

1.      Fenrich Peter, (1997), Practical Guidelines for Creating Instructional Multimedia Applications, Dryden Press, USA.

2.      Nelson Stephen L., (1999), Office 2000: The Complete Reference, McGraw Hill, U.S.A.

3.      Warner Floyd, (1996), Communication Skills for Information Systems, Prentice Hall, London.

4.      The British Computer Society, A Glossary of Computing Terms, Longman.

   Spreadsheets Using Microsoft Excel

AIM

This course is intended to equip participants with skills to manipulate and transform raw data into charts and graphics through application of mathematical and statistical functions.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of the course, the participants will be able to:

• Design worksheets

• Format worksheets

• Perform calculations using formulas and functions

• Analyze data using analysis tools

• Present data in graphic form using charts

Target Group

Interested people should have attended the Basic Computing course or any other introductory computer course

COURSE CONTENT

• Manipulating Workbooks

ü      Naming worksheets

ü      Formatting worksheets

ü      Entering text and values

ü      Selecting cell range

ü      Editing cell contents

ü      Erasing cell contents

ü      Sorting worksheet data

• Formula and Functions

ü      Entering formulas

ü      Autosum

ü      Linking formula

ü      Using statistical, mathematical, financial and logical functions

• Chart wizard

ü      Types of charts

ü      Creating chart to analyze data

ü      Editing charts

Methodology: Lectures, hands on PC practicals and exercises

Assessment: Written and practical tests

Duration: 2 Weeks

Reference

1.      Cross Tina, Jones Collette, (2001), Information and Communication Technology with Programming, Pearson, England.

2.      Nelson Stephen L., (1999), Office 2000: The Complete Reference, McGraw Hill, U.S.A.

3.      The British Computer Society, A Glossary of Computing Terms, Longman.