Iowa State University IT

IT Services Courses

To register for an IT Services course, complete the online registration form. A confirmation email and reminder will be sent to you.

Many courses carry a fee, which is waived for IT Services supported clients. Courses that are two hours or less are no charge to students. Training is limited to faculty, staff, and current Iowa State students.

All courses are taught in 89 Durham Center unless otherwise noted.

Last updated: July 29, 2009

Current offerings:

If you don't see a course listed here that you would like to see offered by IT Services, please send a request.

If you have specific computer-related questions, including installation of software, email problems, or other IT related issues, please contact the Solution Center.

Access

In-Depth (2007)

A beginning course, consisting of two 3-hour sessions, to learn the basic concepts of this popular database package. The course will assist you to: understand database concepts and terminology; design, create, and modify data tables; manipulate existing data for editing purposes; use queries to select specific records and fields from tables; generate data forms for viewing and inputting data; and present data by creating reports that summarize and group information the way you need it. ($100)

Return to top

Classroom Capture

Introduction

This class looks at capturing the audio, audio/computer screen or audio/video portion of a classroom presentation for use as a Podcast in iTunesU, WebCT or in other educational learning environments. The class will mainly focus on using the EchoSystem and the Echo360 software to do classroom capture at Iowa State. Concepts will include: defining classroom capture, looking at the Digital Media Pipeline, looking at the requirements for using the Echo360 and how to get started with the system, plus various ways of using the software in the classroom and some tips on getting the most out of your classroom capture. No previous knowledge of Podcasting/Audio editing is required. ($25)

Level II

This class looks at using your classroom audio or video podcasts on iTunesU and WebCT. Topics will include setting up podcasts in iTunesU or WebCT for use in a classroom or online classroom; tagging your podcasts with additional information that will make them easier to use; podcast logging to see if your podcasts are being used; and pointers on connecting your online podcast resources. Prerequisite: Classroom capture knowledge as obtained from the Classroom Capture I class or previous experience. ($25)

Return to top

Contribute

Introduction

Contribute allows a group of people who are not web designers to alter content on a website. Each person can be assigned a page or portion of a website for which they can alter the contents. Contribute allows the user to change the current contents of a web page and then upload the new page to the site. It allows a group of people to collaborate in order to keep a website updated and useful. This class will introduce the basic concepts of setting up Contribute for a standard Dreamweaver website and how to use Contribute to make web page changes. Some background in Dreamweaver or web site design would be very helpful for this class. ($25)

Return to top

Dreamweaver

Note: These training sessions will be taught with the CS3 version of Dreamweaver.

Level I: Basic

This is a beginning course that covers the basics of using Dreamweaver for Web page creation. Topics include an introduction to the Dreamweaver Workspace; using the visual authoring tools to create, save and layout a template web site using Dreamweaver; adding web page contents, text and graphics links to a web page and publishing your site to the web.($25)

Level II: Tables and More Links

This course focuses on using tables to layout your web page within Dreamweaver. Topics include creating a web page from scratch; creating and modifying tables on a web page; table modifications such as: adding color to a table, merging and splitting cells, changing row height and column width, adding border color, and creating rollovers with graphical links within a table. This class also covers uploading your web site to the web using standard FTP tools such as Filezilla and Fetch. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Dreamweaver. ($25)

Level III: Behavior and Layers

This course introduces the usage of layers (also known as AP Divs) and behaviors within Dreamweaver. Topics include creating a web page with layers, adding contents to a layer, viewing and setting layer properties, adding/altering a behavior on a web page, and building a template web site with layers. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Dreamweaver.($25)

Level IV: Projects

This course covers concepts and use of Layers/AP Divs inside of larger web sites. The in-class project will involve creating a site CSS style sheet, integrating in two Fireworks HTML pages and adding a Flash video to a web page. The class will look at basic techniques for handling full-size web sites such as the use of template pages and/or example pages and the use of CSS style sheets, Flash and Fireworks in giving your site a new look without having to do a lot of work. Extras currently include adding SPRY widgets to a web site and adding a password protected folder on your web site. Participants are encouraged to bring their own Dreamweaver projects to class. Prerequisite: Basic understanding of Dreamweaver. ($25)

Return to top

Excel

Express (2007)

This short course introduces basic spreadsheet creation and concepts. Topics include text and numerical data entry, construction of formulas and simple functions, database basics, and creation of charts and graphs. This class is recommended for new Excel users, for current users who have had their Excel spreadsheets set up for them, or for users of Excel 2003 who would like a quick overview of the new layout in Excel 2007. ($25)

In-Depth (2007)

A beginning course, consisting of two 3-hour sessions, that takes an in-depth look into the basic concepts of this popular spreadsheet package. The course is designed for those who have little or no experience with spreadsheet applications. ($100)

Return to top

Fireworks

Note: These training sessions will be taught with the CS3 version of Fireworks.

Introduction

This course includes an overview of the Fireworks environment (a software authoring tool for creating interactive, online tables and graphics) and several simple projects, primarily focused on creating various types of pop-up, tabbed, and customized buttons for use in website navigation by users. Other topics include image optimization techniques and how to export items created with Fireworks into common HTML editor environments. Basic HTML knowledge and Flash or Dreamweaver background is helpful but not required. ($25)

Level II

This class looks at some of the not-as-common special effects that can be done with Fireworks including: live effects, edit masks, fancier pop-up menus and red eye removal; as well as reviewing some Fireworks basics and optionally creating both a slide show and a mysterious pop-up menu. Basic Fireworks knowledge such as provided by the Introduction to Fireworks class is required. ($25)

Return to top

Flash

Note: These training sessions will be taught with the CS3 version of Flash.

Introduction

This course covers the basics of using Flash software to create a simple animated graphic and publishing it on the Web. The course will also overview additional ways of using Flash software, such as a navigation or presentation tool. Some basic HTML and Internet knowledge is helpful but not required. ($25)

Level II: Buttons and Menus

This course examines the way Flash can be used to add interactivity to web pages for a specific application or as web navigation tools. The class covers the concepts of symbols and button creation with Flash. Prerequisite: Introduction to Flash or working knowledge of Flash. ($25)

Level III: Customizing Buttons and Templates

This course examines customizing buttons to give a little extra snap and organizational structure to your web page. It also covers ways to modify the standard Flash templates to create your own website. The further use of symbols and ActionScripts within Flash will also be examined. The class is structured around three or four small projects that participants will complete within class. Class participants will be presumed to already have taken the "Intro to Flash" class or have working knowledge of Flash. Basic HTML and internet knowledge would be helpful for this class but is not required. ($25)

Level IV: Video

This course examines using video and video effects within Flash. Topics include the various video formats that can be used with Flash, controlling video playback in Flash, and additional Flash components like slides and animations used to create a complete visual Flash video project. The further use of symbols and ActionScripts within Flash will also be examined. The class is structured around two or three small projects that participants will complete within the class. Class participants will be presumed to have taken the "Intro to Flash" class or have working knowledge of Flash. ($25)

Return to top

In-Design

Note: These training sessions will be taught with the CS3 version of In-Design.

Express

This beginning course will cover the user interface and basic page and document layout. ($25)

LaTeX

Introduction

This hands-on course covers a quick introduction to LaTeX, a program that uses computer typesetting to produce high-quality documents. Topics include LaTeX basics and how to write a short paper using LaTeX. (No Charge)

Thesis

This hands-on course covers a brief introduction to the isuthesis document package used to produce a thesis or dissertation with LaTeX. Participants use their own Network-ID and put together a short thesis or dissertation during the workshop. Introduction to LaTeX short course is suggested. (No Charge)

Return to top

Office 2007

Overview

This 60-minute short course will provide users with a general overview of Microsoft Office 2007. New Office 2007 features and an orientation to the new layout will be covered. This course is not a hands-on course. This course is held in 206 Durham Center. (No Charge)

Return to top

Outlook

Express (2007)

This short course introduces the basic concepts of Microsoft Outlook 2007. Topics include how to use mail, calendars, contacts and folders. This course is recommended for new Outlook users and for users of Outlook 2003 who would like a quick overview of the new layout in Outlook 2007. ($25)

In-Depth (2007)

A beginning course, consisting of two 3-hour sessions, covers how to use mail and calendars in Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft's electronic mail and calendaring application. The objectives for this course were defined to meet the needs of Information Technology Services clients currently using Outlook for email and calendaring. This course is limited to 8 attendees. ($100)

Return to top

PHP

This course introduces how to build applications on the web with PHP and MySQL. With more and more of our daily routine involving the web, software developers need to be able to write web applications. PHP offers an excellent starting point for web development. The course will cover PHP syntax and will be focused around building a personal address book with several extended features. Previous experience with a modern programming language is required (C, C++, Java, Perl, etc.), as well as a basic understanding of HTML and HTML forms. ($150) Free for students.

Photoshop

Note: These training sessions will be taught with the CS3 version of Photoshop.

Level I: Beginning Photoshop

In this workshop we will become familiar with the user interface, explore the Photoshop Tool palette, and learn a number of common Photoshop procedures. ($25)

Level II: Getting Creative with Photoshop

This workshop will concentrate on creating and manipulating artwork within Photoshop. The techniques learned will expand upon those learned in Beginning Photoshop. ($25)

Level III: Intermediate Photoshop

This workshop will focus on more complex tasks such as compositing and manipulating photos. We will also take a poor quality photo and apply several Photoshop procedures to improve it.
Basic Photoshop exsperience is required. ($25)

Level IV: Digital Doctoring

This workshop will explore features readily available ONLY in the most recent versions of Photoshop. We will also learn some advanced techniques for adding something extra to a photo. It will be assumed that you have some moderate Photoshop experience. The pace will be faster in this workshop. ($25)

Return to top

PowerPoint

Express (2007)

This hands-on course presents an overview of the key steps used to create a simple presentation using Microsoft PowerPoint 2007. Topics include creating a new presentation, entering information, changing the background, adding graphics, inserting tables and charts from Word or Excel, adding animation and preset timings, and printing or displaying a presentation. ($25)

Return to top

Telephone

Features & Voicemail

This course for faculty and staff covers the features of the IT Services supported single and multi-line telephones and voicemail. This course is held in 271 Durham Center. (No Charge)

New Coordinators

This course is an orientation for new voice/data coordinators. Topics include problem reporting, voicemail security, and work order forms. This course is held in 271 Durham Center. (No Charge)

Return to top

Videoconferencing

Overview

This 60-minute short course will provide users with a general overview of videoconferencing and includes a demonstration, discussion of various desktop software packages, and an introduction to videoconferencing services and support provided by Information Technology Services. This is not a hands-on course. This course is held in 206 Durham Center. (No Charge)

Return to top

Video Podcasting

This class looks at creating a simple video podcast by editing a lecture-type video presentation and adding Powerpoint-style inserts, using superimposed lower third text, inserting computer screen snapshots plus adding titles/credits. Video editing will be completed with Premiere Pro but the techniques can be applied to almost any video editor. The class will also look at exporting the final video for a variety of uses including on YouTube, as a video file for use on a web site or for use in any standard video podcasts. No previous video editing or podcast knowledge is required. ($25)

Return to top

Word

Creating a Thesis (2007)

This hands-on course will demonstrate techniques required to write theses and dissertations with Microsoft Word 2007. Topics include the use of styles and headings to maintain consistency in the document and easily create a table of contents. Tricks for inserting big tables and graphics will be demonstrated. Participants use their own Network-ID in the workshop and will put together the framework for a thesis or dissertation during the session; both Windows and Macintosh computers will be available. Prerequisite: Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word for either Windows or Macintosh. (No Charge).

In-Depth (2007)

A beginning course, consisting of two 3-hour sessions. This course is limited to 8 attendees. ($100)

Return to top