Mr. Minich's Internet Education
computer workshops

Practical Reasons to Use the Internet

Spreadsheets and Databases

Microsoft Word and Enhancing Your Teacher Webpages

Intermediate Microsoft Word

Learn how to use Microsoft Word, the world's most popular word-processor application, to type letters, reports, and more. This workshop covers techniques such as how to set customized tabs and margins and use tables, columns, and wizards to create professional-looking documents. Also, learn how to use WordArt, manipulate clipart, and add headers and footers. This workshop is suitable for anyone with some experience with a word-processor program but has some gaps of knowledge or would simply like to learn more powerful, efficient techniques.

Advanced Microsoft Word

Learn advanced techniques with Microsoft Word including how to use "mail merge" to create form letters, print envelopes, and print mailing labels. Other topics include how to sort data, create web pages, password-protect documents, create forms for easy data entry, record macros to automate tedious tasks, create custom styles, use the Reviewing Pane, & create Word Templates. This workshop is suitable for those who already have a decent amount of experience with Word.

Beginner Microsoft Access Database

Learn how to use Microsoft Access, one of the world's most popular database applications, to organize all kinds of work-related or personal data. Access is a very useful tool for keeping track of data such as inventory, addresses, etc. In this workshop, you will learn how to create tables, sort data, use queries, and print reports.

Internet Security & Miscellaneous Computer Tasks

Learn how to guard your privacy and protect your computer. The workshop will focus on how to avoid junk email (i.e. spam) and manage your email and attachments more effectively as well as how to protect yourself against viruses, spyware, popup banners, and adware with inexpensive software and a firewall. Also, you will learn how to perform tasks such as burning and copying CD's, backing up your hard drive files, trouble-shooting problems, uninstalling software, creating folders, searching a hard drive for lost files and MUCH, MUCH MORE. Many of the techniques in this workshop will be demonstrated specifically on a Windows PC but some will apply to Macintosh computers as well. This workshop is especially suitable for a Wyomissing teacher who wants to become more comfortable with his or her Windows PC laptop computer. Act 48 hours are available for all of Curt Minich's WAEF courses.

Intermediate / Advanced Microsoft Word

Learn how to use Microsoft Word, the world's most popular word-processor application, to type letters, reports, and more. This workshop covers techniques such as how to set customized tabs and margins and use tables, columns, and wizards to create professional-looking documents. Also, learn how to use "mail merge" to create form letters, print envelopes, print mailing labels, use WordArt, manipulate clipart, and add headers and footers. This workshop is suitable for anyone with some experience with a word-processor program but has some gaps of knowledge or would simply like to learn more powerful, efficient techniques.

Advanced Internet Searching & other Practical Tips

Learn how to use the most popular search engines Google and Yahoo to actually find what you want without having to search through extraneous Web pages. Also, learn a number of other time-saving, practical ways to use the Internet and customize your browser to surf more efficiently and safely.

Intro to Web Design with Macromedia Dreamweaver MX

Learn the basics of web design and create several web pages with HTML (the language of the Internet) and the industry-standard Macromedia Dreamweaver software. Students will also learn how to purchase a domain name (e.g. acme.com) and publish their web site. Basic familiarity with a word-processing program such as Word is a prerequisite for this workshop.

Beginner Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet

Learn how to use Microsoft Excel, the world's most popular spreadsheet application, to organize all kinds of work-related or personal data. Excel is very useful for keeping track of things such as your budget. It can also be used to organizing and alphabetize lists of information. You can easily graph bar charts, pie charts, and other kinds of graphs with a few clicks of the mouse.

Intermediate Microsoft Excel Spreadsheet

Learn how to use Microsoft Excel, the world's most popular spreadsheet application, to organize all kinds of work-related or personal data. Excel is very useful for keeping track of things such as your budget. It can also be used to organize and alphabetize lists of information. You can easily graph bar charts, pie charts, and other kinds of graphs with a few clicks of the mouse. Learn how to create and use formulas and cell references to efficiently perform calculations. This workshop is suitable as a refresher for anyone with some experience with Excel. It is also geared for anyone who has not used Excel but is a good computer user in general.

Beginner Microsoft Access Database

Learn how to use Microsoft Access, one of the world's most popular database applications, to organize all kinds of work-related or personal data. Access is a very useful tool for keeping track of data such as inventory, addresses, etc. In this workshop, you will learn how to create tables, sort data, use queries, and print reports.

Intermediate Microsoft Access Database

This workshop is a continuation of Beginner Microsoft Access (see course description above) but it is suitable for those who have background in another database program such as FileMaker Pro or dBase. In this workshop, you will learn how to link tables, use SQL commands to produce queries, and customize reports.

Miscellaneous Computer Tasks

Students will learn how to perform numerous tasks on a home computer such as burning and copying CD's, adding and installing memory, using various Control Panel options, downloading pictures from a digital camera, editing and printing digital pictures, and searching a hard drive for lost files. For technical reasons, much of this workshop will be presentation rather than hands-on format.

Using Digital Cameras & Editing Photos

Learn principals of using digital cameras effectively. Also, learn how to edit pictures taken with digital cameras by adding text, how to make dark pictures brighter, and other do-it-yourself touch-ups. You will also learn how to upload pictures to online family picture albums and how to better organize your photos on your hard drive. The various ways to obtain photography-quality prints will be compared.

Introduction to eBay

Learn how to search for and buy items on the world's largest auction, eBay. You will also learn how to set up an account and sell items on eBay. Strategies and techniques for being successful will be discussed.

Web Site Design & Hosting for Small Businesses

Learn how the Internet can be used by a small business. The course will examine different levels of presence on the Web for small businesses. Students will also review the stages and many of the details involved with a commercial Web site such as design, hosting, maintenance, expected costs, and copyright.

Faster Web Surfing & Avoiding Viruses

Students will learn how to use the Internet and email safely. They will also how to upgrade to a faster cable or DSL Internet connection. Additional topics will include using antivirus software, setting up a cable modem, using a router to connect several computers to the same Internet connection, and installing a firewall. For technical reasons, some of this workshop will be presentation rather than hands-on format.

Internet Efficiency, Privacy, & Avoiding Junk Email

Learn how to surf the Web with increased efficiency, security, and privacy. Learn how to organize your bookmarks and change the default settings of Internet Explorer. Also, learn how to "look inside" Internet Explorer to see graphics and web pages that are left in the cache, cookies, and history files. Techniques to reduce junk email (spam) and email filtering will also be demonstrated and discussed. For technical reasons, some of this workshop will be presentation rather than hands-on format.

Miscellaneous Computer Tasks

Students will learn how to perform numerous tasks on a home computer such as burning and copying CD's, adding and installing memory, using various Control Panel options, downloading pictures from a digital camera, editing and printing digital pictures, and searching a hard drive for lost files. For technical reasons, much of this workshop will be presentation rather than hands-on format.

Internet for Beginners

A beginner's tutorial on surfing the Internet. Learn to surf the Web using Netscape Navigator. Learn the vocabulary of the Internet, how to perform basic searches for information, send and receive email, and create bookmarks. This workshop is not recommended for those who can already use a search engine such as Yahoo.

Surf the Web, Use Email, & Do More for Free

Learn how to obtain a free Internet connection! Also, learn how to make long distance phone calls, pay bills, and more for free on the Web. Learn how to use free Web-based email at Yahoo (which is similar to hotmail.com, mail.com, etc.) You will learn how to send, receive, and view attachments. This workshop is for you if you want your Internet connection to pay for itself (although you'll be surfing for free after this workshop anyway.

Writing Web Pages in HTML

Learn how to write your own web pages. The course will introduce the basics of HTML (Hypertext Markup Language), the language used to create Web pages. Students will use a WYSIWYG Web authoring program to easily create Web pages and they will learn how Web pages can be uploaded to a Web server.

Master Your Email the Easy Way

Learn how to use & exploit Web-based email at Yahoo (which is similar to hotmail.com, mail.com, etc.) Also, learn how to send, receive, and view attachments, create address books, organize messages in folders, consolidate different accounts into one email inbox, and more. You will also learn how email is delivered and authenticated; issues that may affect you at work or at home. Some of the workshop will not be hands-on for network security reasons but ample demonstration will be provided so that you can finally use email efficiently and successfully.

Using the Web in Practical, Money-Saving Ways

Learn how to obtain a FREE Internet connection! Also, learn how to make long distance phone calls, pay bills, and more for FREE on the Web. Explore links organized at Mr. Minich's famous "Practical Reasons to Use the Internet" Web page and see for yourself how all of this really can be done. Make your Internet connection pay for itself (although you'll be surfing for free after this workshop anyway.)

Beginner Microsoft Word

Learn how to use Microsoft Word, the world's most popular word processing program, to type documents. You will create, save, and close a new document. You will also practice finding previously saved documents that seem to be lost on the hard drive. Also, you will edit the document using Cut, Copy, and Paste and learn simple formatting such as bold, color, and font size. You will also learn how to add clip art and graphics to typed documents.

Intermediate Microsoft Word

This workshop continues from the Microsoft Word for Beginners workshop (see course description above) but may be taken by those already familiar with the basics of the program. Learn more useful techniques such as how to add clip art and graphics, set customized tabs and margins and use tables, columns, and wizards to create professional looking documents. This workshop will move at a pace determined by those who have already taken the beginner's workshop.

Beginner & Intermediate Microsoft PowerPoint

This workshop teaches students how to modify template PowerPoint presentations and build new ones from scratch. Students will learn how to add text, graphics, sounds, and hyperlinks to a presentation.

Shop 'Til You Drop - ECommerce

Learn the do's and don'ts of buying items such as books, flowers, music, airline tickets, hotel reservations, and even groceries. We will address concerns about using credit cards and personal information online.

Online Investing

Take advantage of revolutionary changes to the financial investment world. Explore the most popular online trading Web sites including eTrade and Schwab that allow you to make your own trades for as little as $7. Learn how to easily track your investment portfolio and take advantage of the vast amount of free online stock, mutual fund, and securities research information.

The Fun & Exciting Side of the Web

A short workshop illustrating popular game Web sites.

Advanced Internet: Miscellaneous Web Surfing Tips & Techniques

Learn to configure your Netscape or Internet Explorer Web browser for efficient surfing. The course examines various preferences settings dealing with the browser's cache, security levels, bookmarks, etc. Students will learn how to find, download, and install optional browser plug-ins such as Shockwave and RealAudio. If there is time and interest, students will explore the potential of "free" audio- and video-conferencing.

Advanced Internet Camp for Adults

A mini-course for experienced Web surfers only using search engines like WebCrawler and Yahoo. Explore little known, but very practical areas of the Internet such as newsgroups, mailing lists, and customized pages. The course meets for five consecutive days giving you the chance to ask questions that come up as you go along.

Look Inside Your Web Browser

Learn to "look inside" Netscape and Internet Explorer to see items left in the cache, cookies, and history files. This is a very technical workshop which would not interest the casual Web surfer. Security methods relating to Web browsing and email filtering will also be demonstrated.

Mastering Your Email Account

Learn how to take control of your email. The course will thoroughly examine the capabilities of popular email applications such as organizing email, using signatures, filtering incoming email, and using address books. Students will learn how to forward and to reply to email as well as how to send and receive attachments. If there is time and interest, students will also learn how to find and subscribe to Internet mailing lists.