Courses available in centres for 2008/9

Duration:

Courses range from short,  one and a half hour sessions over a couple of weeks to two hour sessions over many weeks. Please contact your own centre  for more information on both times and duration. Courses are run in most cases during the day and evening.

Cost:

The Digital Community Programme does not charge users for courses as a rule. However you may find that there is a small charge (between one and five Euro) to cover heating lighting & paper etc  for some courses, but this is not necessarily the situation  in all centres. Contact your own centre for details.


Beginners Computers

There are a wide variety of courses available under this heading, for example:
    Learn how to turn on the computer
    Basic Keyboard Skills
    Email & Internet or
    Simply learn the bits you need to know!


Fetac Modules

Basic Computer Skills under Modules 1 to 3 are available in most centres.
Please see the Fetac site for more information or contact your local centre.

Digital Literacy

This course covers the basic computer skills like using the mouse, keyboard, Word and Email. Students have the option to complete a small test online if they wish and on successful completion they will receive a Microsoft certificate printed after the test.


Digital Photography

Learn the basics of using a Digital camera, printing your Photographs and sharing them with family and friends through the Internet/Email


Comic Creator

Using photographs, drawings or other types of images you will learn how to drag and drop images into Comic Strips to create your own comic. A Novel and fun way to learn technology.


Crazy Talk

Learn to use the mouse to drag points around your image, record your voice into the computer and sync both the image and sound to give you an animated film with sound! Very easy to learn and use.


Internet & Email

Tackle the mysteries of the internet and email. Set up your own email account. Learn to use the net to book flights, holidays find information etc

Homework Clubs

Homework Clubs/Groups are held in most centres after schools during the normal school term. These are designed to supplement the learning after school and help children use technology for homework. Please contact your own centre for details of times etc in your area.


Drop In Facilities

Most centres offer ‘Drop In ‘Facilities. This gives users the opportunity to literally drop into a centre to use the IT facilities for their own personal requirements. Again contact your own centre to see the times they are available. There is no charge for this facility.

Clay Animation

This course teaches the students how to create an animated short film using everyday craft materials. Students produce a completed animation as part of the course. It usually runs for 6 weeks during the day but other times may be available from your own centre.

Youth Programmes

Many of the centres provide a range of activities for young people, if this is an area of interest to you please contact your own centre for details.

Photoshop

This course will teach you how to work with and improve images, both digital and printed photos using the worlds foremost graphic programme. It is hoped to have this course accredited by Certiport Inc who are the accreditation body for Microsoft, later in 2008. Details will be posted here when they become available.

Currently, all Photoshop courses take place in Hardwicke St Community Centre. If you wish to avail of this course, please contact Peter Byrne by email at peter.byrne@dit.ie

Web Design

This course is due to start in Oct 2008 and will run to end Dec. It will be repeated in Jan 2009. Accreditation from Certiport should be in place by the start of 2009. Again contact Peter Byrne if you wish to attend this course.

Microsoft IC3

IC3 is a computer course for beginners. It has three modules or parts, each one having a separate on line exam. The three parts are

  •                 Computing Fundamentals,
  •                 Key Applications
  •                 On Line Living.

Courses normally take place over a twenty week period for two hours per week. The course is accredited by Certiport and is also accredited by DIT under it’s CPD (Continued professional Development) course. In addition, the course attracts five ECTS credits. Contact your local centre for more information.

Microsoft MOS

This course, Microsoft Office Specialist, runs for one full academic year and is accredited by Certiport. It covers Basic and Expert modules in Word, Excel, Powerpoint and Outlook. Minimum entry requirement IC3.
    

Microsoft MCDST

Due to start in October 2008, MCDST, Microsoft Certified Desktop Support Technician, is a hands on course covering Operating Systems and Applications for those interested in a support role career. It is also accredited by Microsoft.
Minimum entry requirement IC3.


Train the Trainer Course

Developed by The Teaching & Learning Centre within DIT itself, the course, over twelve weeks each session of two hours duration, teaches participants how to commuicate and pass on their new knowledge to students in their own communities. The course is accredited by DIT under the CPD programme and carries three ECTS credits. Assessment is by way of a Teaching Micro Video, Submission of a Lesson Plan, a 500 word essay and 85% attendance. Minimum entry requirement IC3.
    
Once students complete both the IC3 and Train the Trainer courses, their certification is submitted to  Certiport who then accredit them as a Global IC3 Trainer, thus giving them an independent career path.

The Digital Community Programme continues to develop new courses and programmes for it’s users. We welcome any suggestions from any interested bodies or individuals on how to progress or improve our current range of training courses.

Centres:

Individual centres offer additional courses to their clients that are not necessarily Computer based. We have listed here the main courses that are run with our direct involvement. Please fell free to contact any centre for information on courses that you might have an interest in.