Learning objectives
The main aim of the course in “Computer skills” is to equip students with basic theoretical concepts together with practical aspects of information and communications technology (ICT) skills which students need to organise and use digital technology. Specific objectives can be divided into the following: 1) acquisition of basic ICT concepts; 2) organisation of scientific literature; 3) use of word processing applications to produce and format written texts; 4) management of spreadsheets to organise and process scientific data; and 5) acquisition of basic tools to prepare and present scientific outcomes using digital applications.
Prerequisites
No specific previous knowledge is required.
Course unit content
The course will consist of a brief overview of theoretical concepts followed by a larger part focusing on practical exercises and training. Three main Microsoft Office programs will be used: Word, PowerPoint and Excel. The bulk of the content aims to equip students with the basic skills needed to manage the tools they are going to use on a daily basis, increasing students’ confidence in the organisation of their material (e.g. documents, books, scientific articles, data) and its processing (e.g. preparing and presenting a dissertation/thesis).
Full programme
INTRODUCTION TO THE COMPUTER – THEORETICAL CONCEPTS. Brief history of computing, computer hardware and software, operating systems, navigation online and security issues.
BIBLIOGRAPHIC RESEARCH AND MANAGING A BIBLIOGRAPHY. Search methods for scientific information and organisation of the literature.
TEXT PROCESSING. How to use computerised word processing to produce written texts (e.g. degree theses), from writing an index to formatting and the organisation and inclusion of figures (e.g. photos, graphs, tables). Activities will be carried out using Microsoft Word (MS Office).
SPREADSHEETS. Using spreadsheets to organise and process scientific data (e.g. data collected during university work experience/projects), from data input and organisation to data processing using formulas, graphs and tables. Activities will be carried out using Microsoft Excel (MS Office).
PRESENTATIONS. Acquiring the basic tools for preparing digital presentations (e.g. final degree oral presentations), from structuring a presentation to the creation of slides, by managing graphical layout and animation. Activities will be carried out using Microsoft PowerPoint (MS Office).
Bibliography
Learning materials will be provided during the course and will be available on the Elly platform.
Teaching methods
A combination of seminars and class activities using the computer. Lessons will take place in the Aula Informatica E [Campus – Aule delle Scienze]. Some lessons regarding information technology will be recorded and available online (4h).
Assessment methods and criteria
Evaluation will be carried out via:
- a brief written test (quiz form) to ascertain that students have acquired basic ICT knowledge.
- a practical test to ascertain that students have learnt how to 1) acquire and organise bibliographical material, 2) manage and format text files, 3) use spreadsheets, organise data and produce graphic output, and 4) use the main tools for the creation of a digital presentation.
Other information
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