Computer Skills & Training - Best Bets

The following are sites/sources that will help you learn or enhance your computer skills. Some are actual online courses, others short tutorials/informative in nature. Be sure to bookmark this post (and share with computer-challenged friends and family), as I will update it regularly with new sites.

General Computers/Internet Basics

• AARP's How-To Use Your PC - Tutorials and articles covering computer maintenance, Internet basics, managing e-mail, etc.; part of their Personal Technology section of their website (which is somewhat ad-heavy);
• BBC WebWise - A beginners' guide to using the Internet, computers in general and social media. I reviewed this site back in 2010 and recommend it to students who take the library's computer skills classes. This site includes keyboarding exercises;
• Common Craft - Delightful videos that make complex ideas (QR codes, RSS, augmented reality) easy to understand;
• DigitalLiteracy.gov - Along with computer basics courses (office applications, text messaging, etc.), the site also includes career/job resources;
• GCF LearnFree.org - From the Goodwill Community Foundation, this site includes courses on Microsoft Office 2010 applications;

Typing/Mouse Skills

• ABCya.com - While this is a site aimed at children, there are plenty of keyboarding and mouse exercises for all ages;
• Dance Mat Typing - While the website is aimed at children/students aged 7-11, it's an easy-to-use tool for anyone needing to get beyond the "hunt and peck" typing style;
• Mouse Exercise - Learn to click, drag and drop using the computer mouse;
• Mousercise - If your typing skills and/or use of the computer mouse leave much to be desired, this is the site for you;
• Type Online - Develop your keyboarding schools with this UK site;
• 10 Free Typing Practice Activities for Students - Compilation of sites, including some listed above, from Free Technology for Teachers;

Office Applications and Beyond

• CBT Cafe - Free web based software video training, software video tutorials and e-learning for multimedia and graphic design in HTML, QuickTime Video, and Flash video tutorial formats;
• In Pictures - Online tutorials on popular software and programming tools, including Microsoft Office applications Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Publisher;
• Microsoft Training - Microsoft offers many free tutorials and exercises to assist you with their products;

Once you have your feet wet/know a little about your computer and/or using the Internet, sign up for the Computer Skills Workshop at the Warrenton Library. Library staff will assist you with computer basics such as cutting and pasting text, optimizing your web-based e-mail account, computer tips and tricks and more. The workshop is on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, at 9 AM. Space is limited and registration is required. To sign up, call the Warrenton Library reference desk at (540)422-8500, ext. 6862.

Alison @ Warrenton