Module Identifier RS12410  
Module Title INFORMATION AND COMPUTING TECHNOLOGY FOR RURAL STUDIES  
Academic Year 2000/2001  
Co-ordinator Mr Simon Hulse  
Semester Semester 1  
Other staff Mr Penri James  
Assessment Exam   Practical examination : Spreadsheet and Data Presentation   50%  
  Continuous assessment   Database and word processing assignment   50%  

Aims of the module
Information management forms part of everyday life and is a tool for making descisions and presentations. This module aims to provide its participants with a basic competence to manage text, solve numerical problems and collect, present and analyse data using computer software and manual techniques. These skills are further developed and applied in other areas of the scheme.

Learning outcomes
On completion of this module students will be able to:

Syllabus / Curriculum design
This 100% hands-on module provides its participants with general personal computer skills in the introductory part of the module, through sessions on e-mail, internet and file management software. A series of practical exercises follow to develop the level of competence with a range of up-to-date office software.

Reading Lists
Books
Chapman M. (1986) Plain Figures.
Secrett M. (1993) Mastering Spreadsheet Budget and Forecasts - A Practical Guide.
Noble DH & Course C. (1993) Spreadsheets for Agriculture.
Thomas R & Thomas L. (1992) Step by Step Guides - Word for Windows.
Fowler J. (1990) Rural Statistics for Field Biology.
Grauer R. (1999) Brief Microsoft Office 2000 Professsional.
Marni, Ayers, Brady. (1999) Microsoft Office 2000.
Wang, W. (1999) Microsoft Office 2000 for Windows for dummies.
Downing, D. (1998) Dictionary of computer and Internet.
Jennings, R. (1999) Using Microsoft Access 2000.
Spencer S. (1998) Word processing and document presentation.
Langer, M. (1999) Word 2000 for Windows.
Morris, S. (1999) Excel 97 for Windows made simple.
McBride, P K. (1999) Internet Explorer 5 made simple.
Neely, M. (1997) The complete beginner's guide to the Internet. 3rd.
Kent, P. (1998) The complete idiot's guide to the Internet: UK edition.

Statutes
Office of the Data Protection Registrar. (1996) Our answers: data protection and the EU directive 95/46, the view of the Data Protection Registrar.