Popular Computer Software Classes
There is no question that computer technology has been on a rapid increase in the past 10 years. Many of us use computers through applications which allow us to perform routine personal and professional tasks: typing papers, surfing the Internet, sending and receiving email, organizing bank accounts, and creating presentations. In addition, we can download music, watch videos, movies, and TV shows, play online games, and trade and sell products on eBay. The possibilities seem endless.
With all of these actvities to do on a computer, there comes a growing demand for the expansion and updating of applications to maintain these luxuries. However, regardless of how sophisticated computer technology will become, there will always be a growing number of people who won't know how to use most of it.
Therefore, computer software classes have become increasingly popular. Many have instruction in the use of these applications, and there are plenty of them in many educational institutitons nationwide.
Microsoft Training
Microsoft has dominated both the computer operating systems and office suite markets with its Windows OS products and Office applications respectively for many years. It would also appear that it has dominated the growing demand of computer classes being offered in schools throughout the country.
Windows
This is Microsoft's operating system and graphical user interface, which allows users to have interactivity with applications on a main graphics screen known as a desktop. Many computer classes are offered in the instruction of using Windows. The latest version, Windows 7, is currently being taught at Guilford Technical Community College(GTCC) as an introductory course to beginners and seniors.
Office
Microsoft's Office suite bundle consists of desktop applications including Word, Excel, Access, Powerpoint, and Outlook. With Office, users can write letters or correspondence, create spreadsheets and presentations, schedule appointments and meetings, store sensitive information in custom databases, and send/receive email.
Computer classes for Office are offered as a whole in the form of an overview of each bundled application, and they are provided separately under each application heading. For example, Countrywide Training gives instruction of various computer classes in Microsoft(MS) Office, but also teaches courses in MS Word, MS Excel, MS Access, MS Powerpoint, and MS Outlook.
Adobe Training
Adobe is a software company that has been known, since its founding in 1982, to create various popular multimedia and creativity products. Among its best-selling products are:
- Flash – an application used to add animation and videos to web pages
- Photoshop – a graphics editing program; ideal for graphics design students and professionals
- Dreamweaver – a web development program originally owned by Macromedia
- Illustrator – a vector graphics editor program
Like MS Windows and MS Office, Countrywide Training also offers different computer classes for the four Adobe desktop applications. Additionally, Portland Community College, under its Professional Development program under CLIMB, provides introductory courses for the aforementioned Adobe bestsellers.