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Courses and Services
Most classes are introductory in nature and designed for someone with little or no computer knowledge. The first course, Introduction to Personal Computers for Beginners, is a prerequisite for most of the other courses offered.
Please click on the course title to view a description of the class.
Click on this link to connect to a schedule of classes.
Some classes are offered on an "on-demand" basis. For those classes, persons may place their name on a standby sheet at the senior centers or leave a message on the Computer Seniors of America telephone (410-336-5878). You will be contacted when a session of that course will be scheduled.
Please note: The registration fee for classes at the Florence Bain and Ellicott City Senior Centers should be paid at the time of registration. Fees for classes at the Savage and Elkridge Senior Centers may be paid for at the time of the class.
Please contact us for more information
| Course name | Fee | Instruction time |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Personal Computers for Beginners | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Internet I: Introduction to the Internet and E-mail | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Internet II: Advanced E-mail | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| How to Make Greeting Cards, and More, Using your Computer | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Buying and Selling on eBay | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| PC Maintenance | $15.00 | 2 hours |
| Introduction to Word Processing using Microsoft Word | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Advanced Word Processing | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Basic Digital Photography | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Image Editing using Adobe Photoshop Elements | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Skype for Phone and Video Calls | $15.00 | 2 hours |
| $15.00 | 2 hours | |
| Introduction to Spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Introduction to Databases using Microsoft Access | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Introduction to Microsoft Power Point | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Introduction to Genealogy using Family Tree Maker | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Genealogy Surfing on the Internet | $30.00 | 4 hours (2 hours on 2 consecutive days) |
| Computer Chatter | $10.00 | Approximately 1 hour |
| Individualized Tutoring | $15.00 per hour or partial hour | |
| Open Labs and Q&A Sessions | Free to students who have completed another Computer Seniors of America class |
Introduction to Personal Computers for Beginners
This course is for the beginner personal computer user who has no or very little PC experience. It includes an introduction to PC terms and basics and hands-on computer operation using the keyboard and mouse. This course is a must for all beginning computer users.Prerequisite: None
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Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users
Learn basic operating system concepts and features, including the desktop, online help, "My Computer", Windows explorer, and accessories. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Beginners" or permission of the instructor.
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Internet I: Introduction to the Internet and E-mail
We read and hear about the Internet all the time. But do you know what it is and how to use it? Upon completion of this course, you will know how to use Microsoft's Internet Explorer to surf the World Wide Web and how to use Microsoft's Outlook Express for e-mail to contact and communicate with your family and friends. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users" or permission of the instructor.
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Internet II: Advanced E-mail
Building on what you accomplished in the "Internet I: Introduction to the Internet and E-mail" class, we will show you additional features of the browser, reviewing e-mail operations, address books, and spell check. You will learn how to attach files, imbed static and animated graphics, and ship art and photographs to your friends and loved ones. Plus, we’ll show you how to get inexpensive or free mailboxes (Hotmail, Yahoo, Google, Excite, Juno, etc.), how to reduce spam (junk e-mail), and many other fun things. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Internet I: Introduction to the Internet and E-mail" or permission of the instructor.
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How to Make Greeting Cards, and More, Using your Computer
Surprise your friends and relatives with a personalized greeting card made just for them! This course teaches basic graphic commands; how to choose the correct paper size; how to enter and change the shape, size, and color of words and pictures; and how to find and use available stock greetings and sayings. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to use most current greeting and printing software to create unique greeting cards, flyers, brochures, and more. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users" or permission of the instructor.
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Buying and Selling on eBay
Learn how to buy and sell items on eBAy. We will show you how to search for items on eBay. You will learn how to create your own auction listing. We will share tips and tricks to successfully sell your items on eBay. The course will also briefly discuss buying and selling items on CRAIGSLIST and EZCOLUMBIA. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Internet I: Introduction to the Internet and E-mail" and good skill in the use of both the keyboard and mouse or permission of the instructor.
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PC Maintenance
Discover what you won’t easily find in those user manuals, if you can find the manuals! Cleaning out unwanted files and conserving disk space are just two of the many and varied topics that will be covered. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users" and a minimum of six (6) months' experience with a personal computer or permission of the instructor.
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Introduction to Word Processing using Microsoft Word
Get rid of that pen and typewriter. Your children, and certainly your grandchildren, don't even know what a typewriter is! Learn how to create and format different types of documents, such as letters and lists, and then save them for easy retrieval and modification in the future. Create documents that look great, with fancy fonts and colors, and then print them on a color printer. And for those of you who hate to use a dictionary, or who don't know where one is, we will show you how to use spell check to catch those spelling errors. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users" or permission of the instructor.
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Advanced Word Processing
This course builds on what was learned in the "Introduction to Word Processing" class by teaching participants how to prepare and save address lists, how lists can be attached to documents, and how to create and print envelopes and Avery address labels and cards. The course also covers how to download text and graphics from the Internet and incorporate those items into documents or save them for future reference. You will also learn how to import and use Clip Art, Word Art, and previously saved text and images into your documents and how to use text wrapping to enhance the appearance of your correspondence. Finally, you will learn how to customize Word's tool bars according to your wishes. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Word Processing using Microsoft Word" or permission of the instructor.
This course is offered on an "on-demand" basis. If you wish to enroll in this course, place your name on a standby sheet at a senior center or leave a message with Computer Seniors of America at 410-336-5878.
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Basic Digital Photography
Are you interested in learning about digital cameras, how to use a digital camera to take great pictures that you can e-mail to friends and relatives, and how to make your own prints at home? This course begins by describing the basic features of digital cameras and covers the use of lens and flash settings and memory devices. You will learn how images are stored in the camera and the relationship between the camera’s resolution and memory requirements and resulting picture quality. The course will also cover how images are moved from the camera to a personal computer, how to view and store the images and how to print photos. You will also have the opportunity to use Adobe Photo Elements to crop sample pictures and remove that ugly red-eye. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users" and some skill in the use of a mouse and keyboard or permission of the instructor. A digital camera is not necessary.
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Image Editing using Adobe Photoshop Elements
Using Adobe Photoshop Elements software, this course covers how to use photo editing software to improve the quality of pictures. You will learn how to correct photos taken in poor lighting conditions; improve composition by "cropping" the photo, and other editing operations. While introducing the Photoshop Elements software, the course emphasizes fundamentals and operations that apply to most photo editing programs. The course will also describe how to scan existing photographs into a computer, how to remove scratches and tears from old photos, and how to incorporate those into e-mail messages, newsletters, greeting cards, and other documents. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users" and good skill in the use of the keyboard and mouse or permission of the instructor.
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Skype for Phone and Video Calls
Skype, a peer-to-peer software application that allows people to make free phone calls to other Skype users over the Internet, is an easy and inexpensive way for people around the world to stay in touch. This two-hour course introduces you to sending text messages, voice and video to others using Skype. If you are comfortable using your Windows computer and you have a broadband Internet connection, you will be able to install the software and use your webcam to see grandchildren who have a webcam on their family computer. The instructor will assist you in your choice of a webcam if you do not have one. Prerequisite: A good knowledge of Windows and using the keyboard and mouse, or permission of the instructor.
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Facebook is the world's largest social network, with over 300 million users. As a Facebook user, you can connect with people you know, used to know, or would like to know. And once you've connected with others, it's a simple matter to exchange news about personal matters, such as weddings, birthdays, graduations, and reunions, or perhaps to swap photos - all the things which fuel a rich social life. A two-hour investment in learning how to set up an account, use Facebook's basic features, and protect your personal data from intruders, will pay a handsome dividend. If you can send emails and find your way around a website, you will be able to handle Facebook. Prerequisite: A good knowledge of Windows and facility in using the keyboard and mouse, or permission of the instructor.
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Introduction to Spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel
Do you keep track of your household accounting records or doctor bills, or other important records in a paper book, then use a calculator to add them up? Would you like to have the ability to do this electronically within only a few minutes? Then, this course is for you! Learn the fundamentals of spreadsheet processing -- how to create, edit, save and retrieve spreadsheets, as well as how to format and print them. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users" and some experience and comfort level using other software programs, such as Works, Word, Quicken, etc., or permission of the instructor.
This course is offered on an "on-demand" basis. If you wish to enroll in this course, place your name on a standby sheet at a senior center or leave a message with Computer Seniors of America at 410-336-5878.
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Introduction to Databases using Microsoft Access
Want to find your recipes quickly, determine how much you've spent on an item without sorting through your paper files, or create address labels instead of addressing hundreds of envelopes by hand? Then this course is for you, and we promise we will make it easy for you to learn. You will learn the fundamentals of database systems and what a database can do for you, including how to create a database structure, use database tools to find the information you are looking for quickly, and create and print reports. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users" and some experience and comfort level using other software programs, such as Works, Word, Quicken, etc., or permission of the instructor.
This course is offered on an "on-demand" basis. If you wish to enroll in this course, place your name on a standby sheet at a senior center or leave a message with Computer Seniors of America at 410-336-5878.
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Introduction to Microsoft Power Point
Learn how to use Microsoft Powerpoint to create slide presentations with text, pictures and animations. Students will learn to create their own mini-presentations. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users" and some experience and comfort level using other software programs, such as Works, Word, Quicken, etc., or permission of the instructor.
This course is offered on an "on-demand" basis. If you wish to enroll in this course, place your name on a standby sheet at a senior center or leave a message with Computer Seniors of America at 410-336-5878.
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Introduction to Genealogy using Family Tree Maker
Do you want to get started creating an organized record of your family's history? Or, have you gathered your family's history and do not know what the next step is? After completing this course, you will be able to organize your family's records into a searchable database. You will be introduced to the Family Tree Maker software, which will enable you to produce a personal family history and produce and print kinship, pedigree, and ancestry charts. Prerequisite: Successful completion of "Introduction to Personal Computers for Intermediate-Level Users" and good skill in the use of the keyboard and mouse or permission of the instructor.
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Genealogy Surfing on the Internet
In this course, you will learn the most useful genealogical Websites and how to use the on-line family search program. Upon completion of this course, you will be able to access Internet sites for family history information, such as birth, marriage, and death records; cemetery records; Census records; passenger lists; message boards; genealogy newsletters; and more. Prerequisite: "Internet I: Introduction to the Internet and E-mail" or permission of the instructor.
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Computer Chatter
These informal "chat sessions", lasting between 1-2 hours, will focus on a specific topic and are open to persons of all computer skill levels. A Computer Seniors volunteer will facilitate the discussion; participants will be encouraged to bring questions and share their own knowledge -– experiences, hints, tips, etc. -- about the topic. Session topics will be advertised in the CSA monthly newsletter and various newspapers and publications, such as the Columbia Flier, Howard County Times, Washington Post, Baltimore Sun, etc.
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Individualized Tutoring
Do you have:
.. questions about a PC topic you just can't find answers to, or
.. a special PC project that you need a little help with, or
.. a PC requirement that can't be fulfilled by one of Computer Seniors of America's regularly-scheduled classes? Then, CSA's "Individualized Tutoring" may be your answer! The tutoring is performed by one of Computer Seniors of America's highly qualified and patient instructors and is held right at the senior center. Tutoring arrangements must be made only by contacting CSA at 410-336-5878.View the class schedules Return to top
Open Labs and Q&A Sessions
Learning does not end when a class is over. Computer Seniors of America’s open labs allow previous students to practice and sharpen the skills they developed in class. These sessions also provide an informal venue where a computer-related question or two can be answered. If you have a laptop, bring it with you and work right on the laptop. Lab sessions are free to those who have taken a Computer Seniors of America class. Lab sessions are free; however, pre-registration is required to assure that a CSA volunteer will be available.
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