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  Internet, Windows and Photoshop
   Course and Workshop Descriptions
   taught by Tracy Marks, M.A.

UPDATE: New private Intermediate Photoshop workshops and Photoshop CS3 workshops offered September 2007 (to be repeated in early January). Details here

Windows, Internet and Computer Graphics (especially Photoshop) courses are offered near Boston, Massachusetts in Arlington, Cambridge, Lexington and Newton. Most are 6-16 hours, conducted in 2 - 4 sessions. Customized classes and workshops, private training, consulting etc. are available for individuals, companies and organizations.

Current specialties: Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Photoshop Elements, Basic Windows Skills (for the Technophobic), Internet Skills, How to Sell on Ebay, Basic Web Design and HTML, Microsoft Powerpoint. Also Tracy is now offering training in using Google AdSense for website owners who wish to earn additional income through having contextually-based, personalized, tasteful advertising on their websites.

Beginning in March 2006, training in Adobe Photoshop CS3 will be available.

Tracy Marks has an M.A. in Education from Tufts University, and over 30 years experience teaching in continuing education. She has authored four books. A licensed counselor with considerable patience and sensitivity to student and client needs, she speaks in non-technical language which the average person (and non-computer expert) can understand. Further information about her background is available here.

WINDOWS COURSES* Beginning Windows XP Customizing Windows  Basic PC Computer Skills Beginning Adobe Photoshop*  Intermediate Adobe Photoshop Photoshop Lab (intermediate) Photoshop for Web Design Special Topic Photoshop Seminars        Silhouetting and Compositing        Color Correction        Creative Typography        Layers and Layer Effects        Previous descriptions here Adobe Photoshop Elements Beginning Adobe Illustrator  Beginning PowerPoint*  Intermediate PowerPoint  Beginning Quark Xpress  * also available for Macintosh

INTERNET COURSES* (for both pc and mac computers) Introduction to the Internet Internet Research Skills Internet Search Skills for Businesses Intensive Internet (12 hours)  Mastering Internet Explorer Fundamentals of Email communication Mastering Email: Microsoft Outlook Communicating Online: Mailing Lists Introduction to Web Page Design Designing Your Web Page Intermediate Web Page Design Web Design Seminar: Tables and Forms Intermediate Photoshop for Web Design Photoshop Lab (Webwork) Basic Web Graphics without Photoshop Buying and Selling on Ebay Internet Chat, ICQ and Conferencing  Art History on the Internet

INTRODUCTION TO Windows 2000/Windows XP (8 hours)
This foundation course is a prerequisite for students taking pc courses who
do not know how to effectively navigate Windows and manage programs,
files and folders. We will learn the basic skills necessary for using Windows
and Windows programs (Windows 2000 or Windows XP), with special
attention to understanding, opening, saving, copying, moving, finding
and managing files. We will also cover the tasks of basic computer
maintenance and the customization of Windows to meet individual needs.
(See an early edition of a basic Windows manual online - for complete syllabus).

 

INTRODUCTION TO POWERPOINT (6-8 hours)
Learn to use this premier presentation software program which is included with
Microsoft Office, and which enables you to create slideshows for computer
monitors or overhead projectors. This hands-on workshop will teach you to use
this program to assemble text, images, graphs and charts to create a representation
of your product, service or idea for training or marketing. The creation of animated
bullets and transitions will also be covered.
 

 

INTRODUCTION TO THE INTERNET (4-8 hours)
This workshop will introduce participants to the Internet experience - the nature of
the Internet, basic navigation to web sites, and fundamentals of email and searching
techniques. You will learn how to choose a provider, and how to use a browser, and
will discover some of the enormous resources - information, individuals, groups,
software etc. available to you. A major focus will be understanding the vocabulary
of the Internet and the tools that you need for enjoyable and effective Internet
exploration, research, and online interaction and networking.
 
 

INTERNET SKILLS: AN INTENSIVE INTRODUCTION (16-20 hours)
This intensive introduction to the Internet will help online "newbies" develop
the skills necessary to comfortably navigate and search the Web. Using
search engines, and directories and libraries, you will learn how to conduct
effective searches for documents, web sites, people, groups and software.

During this workshop, you will become proficient in using the Internet Explorer
browser, sending and receiving email, and participating in newsgroups and mailing
list discussion groups. In the process, you will learn basic Internet etiquette, as well
as how to choose a service provider, and protect yourself against viruses. 
 

 

HOW TO SEARCH THE INTERNET  (6-8 hours)
Learn to select and use directories and search engines to find Internet sites and
reference information on specific topics. Gain skills in conducting an effective
search, using Boolean terminology, locating a few relevant sites rather than
10,000 irrelevant ones. Find online libraries and databases, and determine how
to locate newsgroups, mailing list discussion groups and software programs.

You will also initiate a search project of your choice, alternating search engines,
and comparing the results. Participants will receive a complete set of bookmarks
on Internet search and reference sites.
 
 

INTERNET SEARCH SKILLS FOR BUSINESSES (5 - 8 hours)
During the first half of this workshop, we will focus upon how to find and
use Internet search engines and directories, choosing the appropriate vehicle
for one's search and utilizing Boolean terminology to locate Web sites and
retrieve specific information.

During the second half, we will turn our attention to business and marketing
research - finding companies on the Web, locating company business and financial
information, (10Ks, annual reports, etc.) using Edgar, locating business news
and customizing personalized news sources. If interest warrants, we will also
cover people and group search engines. Participants will receive a complete set
of bookmarks on Internet search and reference sites, including the web sites
of the best business resource sites on the Web.

(For groups attending from specific companies, this workshop can be
customized to meet your specific business needs.)

 
 

MASTERING INTERNET EXPLORER (4 - 8 hours)
Internet Explorer is the most popular Internet browser, designed for surfing
the Web, writing and receiving e-mail, downloading files, and participating
in newsgroups and mailing lists. In this workshop, we will focus on mastering
all the above capabilities of IE, as well as: setting preferences, getting help,
using IE's menus and tools, and creating and organizing favorites
(bookmarks). We will also discuss add-ons and upgrades available for
for such purposes as: real-audio, chat and web-page authoring.



MASTERING EMAIL WITH MICROSOFT OUTLOOK
In this workshop, we will master the art of email - writing, sending,
replying, forwarding, finding, making folders, using an address book,
creating group lists, mailing attachments, and protecting ourselves
from viruses. Students will gain experience with Microsoft Outlook,
and will also set up free web-based email accounts for personal use.
An additional focus will be understanding the norms of email
"netiquette", and learning hints for effective email communication.

   

COMMUNICATING ONLINE: FUNDAMENTALS OF EMAIL
and MAILING LISTS (4 hours: email only; 5-8 hours: email and mailing lists)
In this hands-on introduction to email and mailing lists, we will focus on the
technicalities, process and content of online communications. You will learn
to address, send, receive, forward and reply to email, attach files, and to
store and organize messages. You will also learn how to find and subscribe
 to mailing lists - online email exchanges devoted to specific interests, which
can evolve into worldwide electronic peer groups or professional networking
groups. We will also discuss basic "netiquette" the proprieties of online
communication, and the development and maintenance of online relationships.



INTERNET AUCTIONS:
BUYING AND SELLING ON EBAY (6 hours)
In this hands-on workshop taught by an Ebay powerseller, we will learn
how to effectively buy and sell on Ebay, the world's largest auction and
online marketplace. Buying tips will include searching and researching
current items for sale and sold items, bidding, and contacting sellers.
During most of the workshop we will focus upon selling  - creating and
submitting listings, using photos, determining auction timing, buy-it-now
sales, managing auctions, handling payment and shipping, and dealing
with  nonresponsive buyers.  An important focus will be participating
in the self-policing community-building feedback system of Ebay.
See Tracy's Ebay Training Guide (with articles on Ebay buying and selling)

 
 

INTRODUCTION TO ADOBE PHOTOSHOP FOR THE P.C. (8 hours)
Photoshop 7, CS, CS2 and (beginning 3/07) Photoshop CS3

In this hands-on introduction to image-manipulation and editing, you will learn to
prepare, alter and improve images for desktop publishing and the Internet. The
focus will be on mastering such basic Photoshop tools as the marquee, lasso,
magic wand, crop tool, color picker, eyedropper, clone tool and type. Lessons
and practice exercises will include: selecting and changing shapes and colors,
converting and resizing images,  and working with color models. No previous
imaging experience is required.
 
 

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP (INTERMEDIATE)
Photoshop 7, CS, CS2 and (beginning 3/07) Photoshop CS3

Starting with a quick review of the basic tools and procedures taught in part one,
this course will concentrate on refining and combining those skills in order to
create more unique and striking images for use in desktop publishing, Web sites
and art projects. Learn to use layers, channels and color correction and
balance functions in Photoshop to gain more control over your finished images and
to save your work in the appropriate file format. This workshop will also
include an introduction to masks and special effect filters.
 
 

ADOBE PHOTOSHOP FOR WEB DESIGN   (INTERMEDIATE, 8 hours)
This intermediate Photoshop class will focus intensively on creating and optimizing
Web graphics, including jpgs and transparent GIFs. Together we will create effective
Web images geared to the file formats, file sizes, and color and browser
compatibility requirements of the Web. We will also review the primary
Photoshop tools, and learn how to use layers.

Additional topics of discussion will include principles of effective design and
site development as well as issues related to procuring and using existing
clip art and photographs. Bring at least one scanned image to use
on your Web site.



ADOBE PHOTOSHOP ELEMENTS
Elements 2.0, 3.0, 4.0, (and beginning March 2007, 5.0) For beginning computer graphics students who do not wish to invest in the time
and cost of Adobe Photoshop, the low-cost version of Photoshop, Adobe
Photoshop Elements is the most viable alternative. In this workshop, we will
become familiar with Elements' tools and palettes, and learn how to recolor,
retouch, transform and resave images. Lessons will include: color correction,
transformations, making selections, painting, retouching tools, text, filters, and
optimizing images for the Web and email.

 

INTRODUCTION TO WEB  PAGE  DESIGN (12 hours)
In this introduction to Web design, you will create a simple personal home
or business page using Netscape and Mac simpletext or Windows notepad.
After discussing Web design principles, clarifying your aim, and planning
your page, you will learn to write basic html (Internet language), including
both text and links, create tables, and prepare  and use digital images.

During this workshop, you will also gain understanding of browser and color
compatibility issues, and learn how to publicize and promote your online
presence. If you have photos that you wish to use, please bring them to class.
 
 

DESIGNING YOUR  WEB  PAGE (12 hours)
In this workshop, you will focus not on mastering the HTML language of the
Internet, but rather upon understanding the principles of effective Web page
design, and creating simple home pages which express yourself personally,
make a contribution, and/or highlight your products or services.

You will begin by perusing and studying existing Web pages, and learning
effective Web design principles. You will then, with instructor's guidance,
create a concept and design for your own Web pages and then work
individually on your home page, using basic HTML. Please bring a Mac
or PC floppy disk, a rough draft of text and any pictures you may wish to
scan for home page use. Additional images will be provided.