Information Technology
IT courses through Lifelong learning
This year we have decided to separate the computer courses from the Art and Design section of the brochure. I hope this will help you navigate the courses easily and help you see the progression routes between the courses.
Your tutors
All tutors are highly experienced in their filed. Many of which use It in their every day working lives apart from their teaching.
Where are the courses held?
All courses are run in a dedicated room on Aberystwyth Campus. There is a cafe near by and the room can be used as a drop in centre when we are not teaching for you to practise and do your home study. You will have access to your own personal file store and have a university email. This can be set up after enrolment; please see section Information Services for Lifelong Learning Students on page 109 of the Brochure: Learn for Life 2012-13
Assessment
Assessment is taken in class with the tutor, you will be asked to design your own projects under certain themes. Apart from class projects we will ask you to undertake a personal project to help you synthesize your learning.
Employability
Many of these courses will allow you to gain the skills to set up a cottage industries to design Web sites and maintain Web sites for customers. It all needs lots of practice. You may also want to combine our IT courses with other courses such as Textile Design using Photoshop so you can design your own fabric to be included in clothing from the Up-cycled clothing module.
We also run Marketing Yourself as an Art Practitioner, which will be held in Cardigan this year; this will give you the skills to identify business clientele your target audience. This course is recommended to be run alongside the Intensive Dreamweaver Web Design course.
In addition to Web Design courses is Image Editing for the Web and also Flash which is an animation package for Web Sites.
Pre-Enrolment
You must pre-enrol for IT courses at least 2 weeks in advance of the start date. To ensure that the first session runs smoothly you must activate your log-in ID, this can be done online: www.aber.ac.uk/systems/activate To complete this process you will be required to enter your student number which will be issued to you by the Lifelong Learning office once you have enrolled, paid your fee and your details are entered onto the Student Records database. For further information about activation see: www.aber.ac.uk/advisory/faq/14/
Routes to and from our provision which is available in Ceredigion.
There is much to explore, with possible part time routes allowing an exemption of your Lifelong Learning, Information Technology credits towards some modules at undergraduate first year towards a degree in Computer Science.
Please contact cs-admissions@aber.ac.uk for more information.
If you require basic IT training at NQF 3 in preparation for our computer courses at NQF 4 please contact Denise Owen:- 01970 633540 dysgubro@ceredigion.gov.uk. or visit www.dysgubro.org.uk
Dysgu Bro offer courses in Microsoft Office applications, ECDL, Digital Photography and Photoshop, SAGE, basic Web design, Google apps etc.
Courses are delivered in Tregaron, Aberystwyth, Cardigan, Aberaeron and Llandysul.
Pre-requisites
Which Photoshop course should I choose?
I
f the question to most of these questions is ‘yes’, then Imaging for Photoshop is for you:
I know how to open image files and save them in folders
I know how to import photographs into a computer from my digital camera
I know what pixels are and understand image resolution
I know how to save and print images at different sizes
I can successfully import images into Word documents or PowerPoint
I have used Photoshop before
Click here for a Diagram of Progression of courses
Lifelong Learning Web Design Suite of Courses
Our new expanding group of courses are ideal for anyone wishing to start developing or improve their skills in web design. We have two courses aimed directly at designing and creating websites and two covering content aspects. For those starting fresh, the Introduction to Web Design course should be your first venture, before moving on to Image Editing for the Web, then Dreamweaver and finally (for now) Flash. This would be the logical progression but as all of the courses are independent, you can pick and mix to suit your requirements. All of the courses are a mixture of classroom teaching, own time study, practical exercises and projects to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to learn as effectively as possible and become budding web designers!
Click here for a Diagram of Progression of courses
Before enrolling on the Flash course can you answer the following questions?
Flash
- Do you have a working knowledge of basic computing commands using menus and toolbars – especially opening, saving and closing files?
- Do you have an understanding of basic file management and navigation techniques – saving to a location, opening from a location, creating new folders to save into.
- Do you have experience in using the World Wide Web with some personal appreciation of web design and layout concepts?
- Do you have experience in using some web design software such as Microsoft FrontPage, Microsoft SharePoint Designer and/or Adobe Dreamweaver (or similar)?
Before embarking on the SharePoint Designer course please can you make sure that you are able to answer the following statements.
- Do you have a working knowledge of basic computing commands using menus and toolbars – especially opening, saving and closing files?
- Do you have an understanding of basic file management and navigation techniques – saving to a location, opening from a location, creating new folders to save into?
- Do you have experience in using the World Wide Web with some personal appreciation of web design and layout concepts?
- Do you have experience in using some other text and image document creation program such as Microsoft Word, Publisher and/or FrontPage (or similar)?
What Qualifications Do I Need?
Curiosity, good humour and self motivation. You can also take courses on a stand alone basis. Try it out to see if you like the style of teaching.
What Will Be Asked Of Me?
Commitment to return assignments on time and keep us informed of your changed circumstances such as e mail addresses
How Will The Courses Be Taught?
All our tutors are experienced in teaching adults and are aware of the anxieties that students have when returning to learn. We know that it is difficult to put yourself in a position which can make you feel vulnerable. Perhaps a few student’s comments may arrest your fears of embarking on a course with us.
“Courses provided within the Lifelong Learning programmes give excellent opportunities to continue self development beyond retirement”
“thoroughly enjoyed myself, thank you!”
"lively and supportive tuition, the tutors comments were focussed and I was stretched to my limit"
“inspiring tutor who fired up the imagination of all students!”
“enjoyed the course and wanted more, excellent tutor with lots of patience”
“it's so rare to come across such a gifted and enthusiastic tutor”
“Brilliant course, brilliant tutor, loved it”
I do not live in Wales but would like to take your courses
That is not a problem; we often welcome students from all over the United Kingdom on our intensive courses. Many students decide to stay in Aberystwyth and take advantage of a mini working break. Please see our brochure on line but these courses may appeal.
- Printmaking
- Wood Engraving
- Dreamweaver web design
How Will I Be Assessed?
Assessment is tailored to adult learners who are returning to learn. Individual assignments are set and negotiated between you and your tutor, so that your study is tailored to your own interests. This allows you to work at your own pace.
We do not set examinations. Art practice courses are continually assessed and integrated within the teaching times and at your final tutorial you are able to talk about your work with the tutor, discuss the elements that have concerned you and the corners you have turned along your learning path. At this assessment you will be given verbal feedback. Think of the assessment as someone giving you year’s of advice. Your email account is valid for the year and marks will be sent to u by email your tutor so please check your email account.
How can the Certificate help me get a job
The I.T courses on offer through Lifelong learning are part of the Certificate of Higher Education: Art and Design but can be taken as stand alone courses. A student on the course you will gain experience of creative thinking, spatial awareness, design concepts, visual awareness and colour theory relating to marketing and promotion. Furthermore, analytical and critical thinking skills in display and design, problem solving negotiation and working from and to a brief will be developed.
Sir Ken Robinson states that, “Creativity now is as important in education as literacy, and we should treat it with the same status.” Students from Art and Design courses have a greater ability to see through and act upon problems in a creative way.