Developing Skills for a Lifetime
by Mrs. Lawrenz
August 21, 2007
Do you have a computer project with which you could use some help? In-House Training students are seniors who have developed excellent computer skills and may be able to assist you with your project. Some of the tasks that we have helped community businesses and organizations develop include business cards, mailing labels, brochures, and flyers. This group of students also helps keeps our school web site up-to-date. Visit our school site at www.wchuskies.com.
Students begin working in the Business and Computer curriculum with 6th Grade Keyboarding. After students master the keyboard, they learn to create simple documents using Microsoft Word and to create a PowerPoint presentation. In 7th and 8th grades, students continue to develop those skills and add basic Excel projects to their list of accomplishments.
High school students begin with the Computer Literacy and Applications I class, which is required for graduation from our district. We've learned that the development of technology has truly been purpose driven. Each new advancement has come about to help us perform tasks more accurately and swiftly. Recently we have begun our study of the Windows operating system and the Microsoft Office applications, which includes working in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Access.
Upon completion of this course, students may choose to take Advanced Computer Applications where they learn to develop web pages with FrontPage and to use advanced operations in the Microsoft Office Suite applications. This group also works with Adobe's InDesign desktop publishing software.
Accounting I students have already discovered that automated accounting practices are much easier and faster than the manual system. We learn both, however, so that students get a true understanding of what the computer does "automatically" after an entry has been journalized. We've got our debits and credits mastered and are doing a great job of keeping our books in balance!
Office Systems & Technology students learn the skills necessary to succeed in the office world. Technology has certainly transformed the office setting into an environment that no longer requires four walls or even a specific location. We are deeply embedded in the Information Age and must acquire skills to communicate effectively and efficiently in order to be a productive employee.
We always enjoy "showing off" our beautiful, modern computer lab, so feel free to stop in anytime! And, don't forget, that if you need assistance with a computer project, we may have a student who can help you.
