Introduction to Acts Bridges Community College

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INTRODUCTION TO ACTS BRIDGES COMMUNITY SCHOOL

ACTS Bridges is a Non Profit Organisation that has been in existence since the beginning of 2001. During this time, the project has provided tertiary, skills development, business development and literacy education for more than 1500 young individuals who were previously unemployed, and not in the financial position to further their education. These results were achieved utilising volunteers sacrificing their time and offering their skills without any remuneration.

To date, ACTS Bridges has specialized in the provision of computer, personal/career development and business development training for communities that don’t have access to these services. With more than thirteen years experience in tertiary and advanced education, the organization prides itself in providing a professional service, guaranteed quality and the highest level of expertise.

Since its inception Acts Bridges has been able to establish synergy with several organisations who share a common vision for poverty alleviation, job creation, and the upliftment of all South Africans, while positively contributing toward healthy economic growth.

Acts Bridges Community School is a Hatfield Christian Church initiative and operates on a Saturday at the Centurion Academy premises. The course participant attendance is based on a combination of self-study and facilitated class-room based learning. The pass requirements for the modules is eighty five percent (85%)

]b]COURSE CURRICULUM

Basic Office Skills
Comprises of a total of 4 modules each of which is estimated to take the student 2 hours to complete. Directed at the unskilled administrator, this course forms part of the Basic Administration Series, and provides a basic introduction to filing, time management, Public Relations, and office systems. It gives an overview of basic office administration skills. It is recommended that students consider completing the Work Place Development course in conjunction with the Basic Administration series.

Module 1: Filing
Module 2: Managing your time
Module 3: Office Public Relations
Module 4: Efficient Office Systems

Basic Bookkeeping Skills
Comprises of a total of 2 modules each of which is estimated to take the student 2 hours to complete. Directed at the unskilled office administrator, this course forms part of the Basic Administration Series, and provides a basic introduction to financial management. It is recommended that students consider completing the Money Basics course in conjunction with the Basic Administration series.

Module 1: Basic Accounting
Module 2: Budgeting

Basic Financial Management Skills
Comprises of a total of 2 modules each of which is estimated to take the student 2 hours to complete. Directed at the unskilled office administrator, this course forms part of the Basic Administration Series, and provides a basic introduction to financial management. It is recommended that students consider completing the Money Basics course in conjunction with the Basic Administration series.

Module 1: Basic Accounting
Module 2: Budgeting

Business Meetings
Comprises of 7 modules, which are estimated to take the student 2 hours to complete. Directed at the unskilled office administrator, this course forms part of the Basic Administration Series. It provides an introduction to Basic meeting skills.

Module 1: Introduction to business meetings
Module 2: Planning a meeting
Module 3: Running a professional meeting
Module 4: Basic Communication Skills
Module 5: Understanding Group Dynamics
Module 6: Controlling the Group
Module 7: Allocating roles and responsibilities

Computer Basics
Comprises of a total of 14 modules each of which is estimated to take the student 2 hours to complete. Taking these courses on Saturday mornings only will result in the student taking 7 Saturday’s to complete the course.

Directed at the new computer user, this tutorial provides a basic understanding of hardware, software, and computer maintenance. It gives an overview of computer parts and peripherals such as scanners and printers. Topics include data storage, licensing basics, installing software, file maintenance, and cleaning your computer. An interactive mouse tutorial is included.

Module 1: What is a Computer?
Module 2: Input Devices
Module 3: Output Devices
Module 4: Data Storage
Module 5: Types of Computers
Module 6: Types of Software
Module 7: Licensing Basics
Module 8: Installing Software
Module 9: Cleaning your Computer
Module 10: File Maintenance
Module 11: ScanDisk
Module 12: Defragmenting
Module 13: Backing Up
Module 14: Virus Protection

Email Basics
Email Basics does not teach specific email client software. Rather, it provides a general overview of email functionality. Topics include sending and receiving messages, attachments, email client software, web mail, instant messaging, formatting, mailing lists, newsgroups, and email etiquette. For instructional purposes, pictures of Microsoft Outlook Express and Microsoft Outlook are displayed.

This Tutorial is recommended for those who are familiar with: Internet Basics.

Module 1: What is Email?
Module 2: Sending Email
Module 3: Reply
Module 4: Forward
Module 5: Other Types of Email
Module 6: Attachments
Module 7: Formatting Email
Module 8: Mailing Lists and Newsgroups
Module 9: Email Etiquette
Module 10: Managing Email

Internet Basics and Internet Safety
Are you concerned about your safety and security online?
Would you like to know more about keeping your kids safe while they surf the web?

Internet Safety discusses the most common threats to your online safety, such as viruses, spyware and worms, and presents strategies to stay safe online. In addition to showing you how to configure your browser and email programs for greater security, this tutorial also discusses common third-party software packages such as: Spybot, AdAware, and Web-Blocker.

This Tutorial is recommended for those who are familiar with: Internet Browsing, Computer Basics, Email Basics.

Module 1: Accessing the Internet
Module 2: Viruses, Worms, and Trojan Horses
Module 3: Spyware, Ads, and Cookies
Module 4: Hackers, Email, and Identity Theft
Module 5: Shopping without intrusions
Module 6: Beware Of Dark Alleyways In Public Places
Module 7: Seek Safety First
Module 8: Chat, Newsgroups, Instant Messaging, Email, and Pornography
Module 9: Music, Computer Games, and Downloads
Module 10: Who to Contact if You Detect Trouble
Module 11: Protecting Your Email
Module 12: Monitoring Activity and Keeping Your Web Browser Secure
Module 13: Filtering Software
Module 14: Spyware Removal Tools
Module 15: Protecting Yourself Against Viruses, Worms, and Harmful Code
Module 16: Firewalls

Access 2003
This tutorial provides a solid foundation for understanding Access 2003 databases. It will teach you how to use and maintain information in a simple database. A sample Contact Management database is provided for student interaction and exercises while mastering Access concepts. Topics covered include an introduction to database terms, the Access environment, adding, editing and deleting table and form records, finding records, creating a running simple queries, and creating reports.

This Tutorial is recommended for those who are familiar with: Internet Basics, Computer Basics, Email Basics, Office 2003.

Module 1: Introduction to Databases
Module 2: Database Concepts
Module 3: Identifying the basic parts of the Access window
Module 4: Database Tables
Module 5: Getting to know the Contact Management database
Module 6: Using a Wizard to Create the Contact Management Database
Module 7: Opening a Table and Learning to Navigate Records
Module 8: Viewing and Adding Table Records
Module 9: Editing and Deleting Table Records
Module 10: Adding Form Records
Module 11: Editing Form Records
Module 12: Sorting Records
Module 13: Finding Records
Module 14: Filtering Records
Module 15: Running Database Queries
Module 16: Running and Printing Database Reports

Excel 2003
Microsoft Excel 2003 is a spreadsheet application in the Microsoft Office Suite. A spreadsheet is an accounting program for the computer. Spreadsheets are primarily used to work with numbers much like Microsoft Word is used to work with text. Spreadsheets can help organize information, like alphabetizing a list of names or ordering records. Spreadsheets can calculate and analyze information by using mathematical formulas, such as totaling a column or row.

This Tutorial is recommended for those who are familiar with: Internet Basics, Computer Basics, Email Basics, Office 2004.

Module 1: Identifying basic parts of the Excel window
Module 2: Create, open and save workbooks
Module 3: Enter, edit and delete data
Module 4: Moving, Copying and Deleting Cell Contents
Module 5: Creating Simple Formulas
Module 6: Creating Complex Formulas
Module 7: Using functions
Module 8: Working with multiple worksheets
Module 9: Inserting and Deleting Rows and Columns
Module 10: Changing Column Width and Row Height
Module 11: Inserting and Deleting Cells
Module 12: Text and Cell Alignments
Module 13: Formatting Numbers
Module 14: Applying Font, Colour and Borders to Cells
Module 15: Creating a Chart
Module 16: Moving, Resizing, and Deleting Charts
Module 17: Editing Charts
Module 18: Formatting a Chart
Module 19: Defining Page Setup Options
Module 20: Print Management

Excel 2007
Excel 2007 is the spreadsheet software in the Microsoft 2007 Office Suite. It allows you to store, organize, and analyze numerical and text data.

Introduction to Excel
Module 1: Setting Up Your Excel Environment
Module 2: Starting a Workbook
Module 3: Modifying Columns, Rows, & Cells
Module 4: Formatting Text
Module 5: Creating Simple Formulas
Module 6: Working with Cells
Module 7: Printing Workbooks Excel Basics
Module 8: Creating Complex Formulas
Module 9: Working with Basic Functions
Module 10: Sorting, Grouping, and Filtering Cells
Module 11: Formatting Tables
Module 12: Aligning Text
Module 13: Working with Worksheets Doing More with Excel
Module 14: Using Templates
Module 15: Using What-If Analysis
Module 16: Working with Charts
Module 17: Using Conditional Formatting
Module 18: Creating Pivot Tables

Excel 2010
Excel 2010 is a spreadsheet software in the new Microsoft 2010 Office Suite. Excel allows you to store, manipulate and analyze data in organized workbooks for home and business tasks. New innovations in Excel 2010 include the enhanced data viewing features of Sparklines and Slicers.

Excel Basics
Module 1: Getting Started with Excel
Module 2: Cell Basics
Module 3: Modifying Columns, Rows, and Cells
Module 4: Formatting Cells
Module 5: Saving
Module 6: Creating Simple Formulas
Module 7: Worksheet Basics
Module 8: Printing Common Tasks in Excel
Module 9: Creating Complex Formulas
Module 10: Working with Basic Functions
Module 11: Sorting Data
Module 12: Outlining Data
Module 13: Filtering Data
Module 14: Formatting Tables Doing More with Excel
Module 15: Reviewing and Sharing Workbooks
Module 16: Using Templates
Module 17: Working with Charts
Module 18: Working with Sparklines
Module 19: Using Conditional Formatting
Module 20: Creating PivotTables
Module 21: Using What-If Analysis

Office 2003
Learn about Office 2003, Microsoft's powerful business software suite. Topics covered include creating files, working with menus and toolbars, and many other topics common in the day-to-day use of programs included in Office 2003 Standard (Word 2003, Excel 2003, PowerPoint 2003, and Outlook 2003).

This Tutorial is recommended for those who are familiar with: Internet Basics, Computer Basics, Email Basics.

Module 1: What is Office 2003?
Module 2: Opening and Closing an Office 2003 Program
Module 3: Menus
Module 4: Toolbars and the Task Pane
Module 5: Dialog Boxes and Wizards
Module 6: Creating a New File
Module 7: Insert and Delete Text
Module 8: Save and Save As
Module 9: Open an Existing File
Module 10: Printing
Module 11: Selecting Text
Module 12: Using Undo and Redo
Module 13: Cut, Copy, Paste, and Drag and Drop
Module 14: Help Features in Office 2003
Module 15: Inserting Media Objects
Module 16: Document Recovery

PowerPoint 2003
PowerPoint 2003 is Microsoft's presentation graphics application. Topics in this tutorial include the PowerPoint Window, creating a blank presentation, applying a design template, inserting objects, and adding animation.

This Tutorial is recommended for those who are familiar with: Internet Basics, Computer Basics, Email Basics, Office 2003.

Module 1: The PowerPoint Window
Module 2: Creating a Blank Presentation
Module 3: Inserting, Copying and Deleting Slides
Module 4: Working with Slide Views
Module 5: Applying a Design Template
Module 6: Using the AutoContent Wizard
Module 7: Formatting Text
Module 8: Formatting Bulleted and Numbered Lists
Module 9: Adding Clip Art and Pictures
Module 10: Adding Charts, Diagrams and Tables
Module 11: Adding AutoShapes, WordArt and Hyperlinks
Module 12: Animating Slides
Module 13: Creating a Slide Master
Module 14: Spell Check and Printing
Module 15: Adding Transition

Windows XP
This tutorial provides a basic understanding of Microsoft's Windows XP operating system. Topics include the desktop, parts of the window, moving and sizing windows, My Documents and My Computer, files, folders and drives, and using the Help and Support Centre.
This Tutorial is recommended for those who are familiar with: Computer Basics.

Module 1: The Windows XP Desktop
Module 2: Launching Programs and Internet Explorer from the Start Menu
Module 3: Getting Familiar with the Windows XP Window
Module 4: Moving and Sizing Windows
Module 5: Customizing Windows XP Using the Control Panel
Module 6: Files, Folders, and Drives
Module 7: Using My Documents, My Computer and Windows Explorer
Module 8: Adding Shortcuts
Module 9: Using the Recycle Bin
Module 10: Searching for Files and Folders
Module 11: Managing User Accounts
Module 12: Taking Advantage of Accessibility Options
Module 13: Using the Accessibility Wizard
Module 14: Using the Help and Support Centre
Module 15: Using a Printer
Module 16: Using Systems Tools for Basic Maintenance

Word 2003
This tutorial provides a basic understanding of Word 2003, Microsoft's word processing application. Topics include inserting text, basic and advanced formatting, working with graphics, and many other topics essential in creating professional-looking documents in your daily use of Word 2003.

This Tutorial is recommended for those who are familiar with: Internet Basics, Computer Basics, Email Basics, Office 2003.

Module 1: Identifying Parts of the Word Window
Module 2: Save and Save As
Module 3: Use Backspace/Delete and Undo/Repeat
Module 4: Cut, Copy, Paste and Drag and Drop
Module 5: Use AutoCorrect and Find and Replace
Module 6: Spell and Grammar Check
Module 7: Align Text
Module 8: Set Line and Paragraph Spacing
Module 9: Margins
Module 10: Indent Text
Module 11: Using the Ruler
Module 12: Formatting Text
Module 13: Bulleted and Numbered lists
Module 14: Insert Symbols
Module 15: Headers and Footers
Module 16: Formatting
Module 17: Text Boxes
Module 18: Working with Columns
Module 19: Working with Tables
Module 20: Edit Tables
Module 21: Working with Objects
Module 22: Working with Pictures

Word 2007
Word 2007 is the word processing software in the Microsoft 2007 Office Suite. It allows you to easily create a variety of professional-looking documents using features such as themes, styles, SmartArt, and more.

Introduction to Word
Module 1: Setting Up Your Word Environment
Module 2: Text Basics
Module 3: Saving Documents
Module 4: Proofing Features
Module 5: Working with Hyperlinks
Module 6: Printing Word Basics
Module 7: Creating a New Document
Module 8: Formatting Text
Module 9: Working with Text boxes
Module 10: Inserting Clip Art
Module 11: Working with Shapes
Module 12: Using a Template
Module 13: Working with Lists
Module 14: Line and Paragraph Spacing Doing More with Word
Module 15: Modifying Page Layout
Module 16: Working with Pictures
Module 17: Columns and Ordering
Module 18: Working with Headers and Footers
Module 19: Working with Tables
Module 20: Using SmartArt Graphics
Module 21: Using Indents and Tabs
Module 22: Applying Styles and Themes Advanced Word
Module 23: Using Mail Merge

Word 2010
Word 2010 is a software for word processing in the new Microsoft 2010 Office Suite. Word allows you to easily create professional-looking documents using various themes, visual designs, formatting tools, sharing features and more.

Module 1: Getting Started with Word
Module 2: Text Basics
Module 3: Formatting Text
Module 4: Saving
Module 5: Modifying Page Layout
Module 6: Checking Spelling and Grammar
Module 7: Printing Common Tasks in Word
Module 8: Using Indents and Tabs
Module 9: Line and Paragraph Spacing
Module 10: Working with Lists
Module 11: Adding Breaks
Module 12: Working with Columns
Module 13: Working with Hyperlinks
Module 14: Working with Shapes
Module 15: Text Boxes and WordArt
Module 16: Inserting Clip Art and Pictures
Module 17: Formatting Pictures Doing More With Word
Module 18: Styles and Themes
Module 19: Working with Headers and Footers
Module 20: Reviewing Documents
Module 21: Working with Tables
Module 22: SmartArt Graphics
Module 23: Using a Template
Module 24: Using Mail Merge

IMPORTANT NOTE: WE ONLY TRAIN ONE COURSE AT A TIME SUBJECT TO A MINIMUM OF TEN PARTICIPANTS

As our learners are being exposed to elementary courses, the courses have been grouped to reflect the practices in the workplace. For that reason, an employee will need to complete all the relevant course modules in the curriculum to empower him/her to have all the basics in place, before examinations are written and certificates awarded.

COURSE FEE STRUCTURE

The fee structure is R200 per course. As most of the individuals are unemployed with no sustainable income, sponsorship is sought on behalf of the students. Courses are combined as follows and it is not allowed to only complete one module.

We aim to ensure that the learner is able to have comprehensive knowledge of the two streams as follows:

Finance & Administration
Basic Office Skills
Basic Bookkeeping Skills
Basic Financial Management Skills
Pastel Accounting Package

Microsoft Office Computing
Social Media & Computer Basics
MS Office
MS Word
MS Excel
MS PowerPoint
MS Outlook & Internet