Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Week 3 - Online Libraries & Databases

Lecture Summary
This weeks lecture focused on online libraries and databases. We discused what online libraries and databases are used for, and the advantages and disadvantages of both. We looked at convenience of these online facilites, the currency of the information, and the types of resources available. One of the limitations for both online libraries and databases is that often a a subscription is needed. This lecture illustrated the necessity of online libraries and databases for university research.

Workshop
In this weeks workshop we first explored the ECU online library facilities, looking at the support options and search functions. The web address for this is: http://www.ecu.edu.au/library/

(Library website)
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Our first task was to find a journal article on the economic impact of global warming on business. To do this we had to follow these steps:
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Step 2: Click on journal articles (databases).
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Step 3: Click on find database by title.
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Step 4: Click on ABI/Inform Global (ProQuest).
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Step 5: Enter 'Global Warming' as the Document Title and click on both limit results to boxes.
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Step 6: Then enter 'Business' in the second text box as Document Text.
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(ProQuest)

(Journal Article)
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Our next task was to go to the MEDline Plus website and briefly research a condition or drug. The web address is http://www.medlineplus.gov/ . I used the built-in search engine to look up a commonly prescribed medication called amoxicillin. Amoxicillin is an antibiotic used to treat infections caused by bacteria such as pneumonia and bronchitis. This site can be used by people who want to know more about medications they have been prescribed or conditions they have been diagnosed with. Its search engines make it easy for people to use, and as it is a government site it is a reliable source for information.
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(http://www.medlineplus.gov/)



(MEDline-Amoxicillin)
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This weeks lessons have helped us familiarize ourselves with online databases and libraries, and more specifically search engines. We now have the aptitude to evaluate data and information from numerous sources. These skills will be conducive to our future research within and outside of ECU courses.
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Finding what you want on the web:
In this article Bill Thompson examines the use of search engines. He portrays Google as being "one of the largest, fastest and most usable search tools around". However he believes that to have the most effective search you have to use all of the resources offered to you on the web. He names some other search engines these include; Yahoo, AllTheWeb, Teoma, MSN Search, Kartoo, Fazzle and Vivisimo.


Bare Bones Lesson 7: Basic Search Tips:
This web page discusses search tips and search strategies. It offers both quick tips and quick tips for boolean searches. Some of these tips include using + and -, using double quotations "", putting important keywords first and using caps for AND, OR. . . when using boolean searches. These tips can help you filter out the information you dont want when searching the web.









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Sunday, March 16, 2008

Week 2 - Office Applications

Lecture Summary


This week in our lecture we considered the different Microsoft applications such as Word, Excel, Publisher, Power Point, Paint, Access and Games.


We discussed the different uses of each of the applications for example Microsoft Excel is used for creating spreadsheets.


We then examined Vista and the different ways to find programs. Two ways include going to the programs menu and clicking on applications, or going to the programs control panel end putting a search term into the search engine.


Helen then explained to us the difference between a portal (Google) and a browser (Explorer). We then came up with a list of browsers that we had heard of or used.


Finally we discussed some of the websites we had visited for the first time over the beginning of the semester. Some of these included: Blogspot.com Greenpeace.com Blackboard &, ECU Library.


Workshop Summary


To start off our workshop we reviewed our existing knowledge of Microsoft Word. Gary Chan then showed us a number of shortcuts that will help us when using MS Word. These Shortcuts include:


Control Arrow (left or right) - Jump cursor between words.


Control Arrow (up or down) - Jump cursor between paragraphs.


Control Home - Jumps cursor to beginning of document.


Control End - Jumps cursor to end of document.


Home - Jumps cursor to beginning of sentence.


End - Jumps cursor to end of sentence.


Control:


X - Cut


C - Copy


V - Paste


U - Underline


I - Italics


K - Insert hyper links


F - Find function


Z - Undo


Y - Re-do



After going through the various short cuts we learned some other functions of MS Word. The first function was page breaks. Page breaks can be inserted by going to insert and clicking on page break. The next thing we did was create headings for our table of contents (TOC). To create headings highlight the word you want as a heading then go to home and click heading 1. To enter more than one heading you repeat the procedure but click on heading 2, 3, 4 etc. We then learned how to insert a TOC. To do this go to insert and click on Table Of Contents. Their are also many ready made cover pages that can be used for assignments. To insert a cover page go to insert and click on cover page this will bring up a selection of cover pages. The cover page must be inserted after the rest of the document is finished. We also found out how to insert headers and footers. Headers are placed at the bottom of the page and can be used to display the document title, names, dates... Footers are placed at the bottom of the page and can be used to display page numbers.

We were also given a Word Activity to do. For this activity we were given some information which we had to copy into a blank word document. We then had to edit the information in the following way:


· Adjust the TYPEFACE

· Adjust the MARGINS AND ALIGNMENT

· Adjust LINE SPACING

· Create HEADINGS (using the ‘document map’ feature)

· KEEP HEADINGS WITH TEXT

· Include a HEADER/FOOTER






(Table of Contents and inserted image)




(Edited information)

(Alphabetized references)

Although many of the people in this course feel they know how to effectively use Microsoft Word, in this week we learnt many processes and short cuts that will help us use MS Word more efficiently. Many of the things we learnt will cause us to produce a higher standard of work in our other units and courses.

The next thing we were shown how to do in the tutorial was how to use MS Excel.


(Excel printscreen)

We spent the last 15 minutes of the workshop learning the basics of MS Excel. When you open excel you are given a page made up of cells. These cells make up rows and columns. MS Excel is used to put data into graphs and charts. The data gets placed into the cells. For example you might want to put monday to tuesday into column A. A shortcut for this is to put monday in the first cell then click on the cross in the bottom right corner and drag it down. This will put the days in sequence into the column for you (see print screen above). If the information is too wide for the cell double click the line between the column (between A & B). The next thing we did was use auto sum. If you enter some figures into a column and wish to add up the total, highlight the column and click on auto sum. This will give you the total.

Using Microsoft Word For APA Tasks:

We were given this information to read, it is all about using MS Word. It helped us with our Word excercises:










(Using Word for APA tasks)
Graphic File Formats:
These pages are about saving and formatting certain files or documents. It discusses .bmp, .jpg, .gif, .tiff, and photoshop documents.

(Graphic File Formats)
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Friday, March 7, 2008

Week 1 - Introduction to University Computing

Lecture Summary
In this lecture our lecturer Dr Helen Cripps introduced us to UPC0004. We discussed our unit outline and what is expected from us throughout the semester. We were then shown how to utilize the ecu online facilities such as simo, student email and blackboard.

Workshop write-up
In the workshop our tutor Gary Chan demonstrated how to put the information learnt in the lecture into practice. The first thing we learnt was how to do a print screen.

Step1: Push print screen key when on desired page

Step2: Go to Paint and press Control+V

This process gives the following effect:

(This is a print screen of the ECU screen saver)
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Our second task was to collect our classmates email addresses. We then sent 5 emails to people in the class, this helped to reinforce the instruction given in the lecture on how to use our student email accounts.

(Student Email account)
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We then briefly looked at My ECU Blackboard. This can be accessed through the ECU website.

(My ECU Blackboard)
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After we had gained confidence in using the ECU facilities we began our online diaries otherwise known as blogs. We went to the website http://www.blogger.com/ and followed these step by step instructions:

Step 1: Click on create your blog now

Step 2: Enter email address, password and username

Step 3: Name your blog

Step 4: Choose a template and click start posting

Step 5: Create post

To add images to your post follow these steps:

Step 1: Click the add image icon

Step 2: Click browser to find a saved image from your computer

Step 3: Choose centre layout and medium size image.

Step 4: publish post (don’t save)
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Reading 1 Summary- ‘PC Lube & Tune’
The website http://www.yale.edu/pclt/default.htm is a free educational site that aims to teach its readers the use of new and current computing technology. The site offers the opinion that "A wider understanding of this technology will be necessary for the . . . economy to grow". It offers the following articles:
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Reading 2 Summary- ‘How Stuff Works’
The website http://www.howstuffworks.com/pc.htm is also a free informational site. However this site attempts to teach the user about their PC's. It offers a computer tour that shows you the actual parts that make up your computer, and describes their functions. Within the article the following information can be found:
Introduction to How PCs Work
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In these lessons we have developed navigational skills needed to access the ECU sites. Throughout the rest of the unit we will be maintaining a week by week journal of what we have learnt in the lectures and workshops. The skills that we acquire in this unit will not only help us through the preparation course, but are essential tools in our university careers.
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