Staff Support Workshops

To register for a workshop use our on-line registration form. If you have trouble with our form, please call 932-7466. Dates are listed on the current calendar of workshops.

In the event of inclement weather, please call the Center for Teaching Advancement and Assessment Research at 932-7466 for information about cancellations or late starts.

Access I: Basic Tables -The two-part Basic Access series will orient the new user to the Access database, its power and application. This course will focus on how to use an existing database, how to manipulate and populate data tables and forms. Basic Access II covers queries, forms and reports in detail, as well as the importation of Access data into MS Word and Excel, for mail merge and other formatting tasks. Basic Access I, covers the TABLES in detail. Both part I and II of Basic Access need to be taken in sequence in order to provide an adequate introduction to the package.

Access II: Queries, Forms, Reports - This course will focus on how to use an existing database, how to manipulate and populate data tables and forms. Access II, covers QUERIES, FORMS and REPORTS. Both part I and II of Basic Access need to be taken in sequence in order to provide an adequate introduction to the package. In Basic Access II, some time will be devoted to the importation of Access data into MS Word and Excel, for mail merge, label, and other office database applications.

Access: Advanced - Relational Databases - Advanced Access: Relational Databases will provide the seasoned Access user with a basic understanding of relational database design and creation. Initially, we discuss basic relational concepts and how they can be engaged by using various Access relational tools. For example, we will cover "normalization" - the restructuring of a "flat" database table into multiple linked tables. Using a "cookbook" approach, we will then apply the Access tools to an actual database using a one-to-many relationship model. Finally, we will explore other utilities and objects that benefit from the relationship, including lookups, join queries, sub-forms, and sub-reports.

Access: Formula & Expression Practice - This workshop will focus on these topics: The expression builder, general Access functions - how they compare to Excel functions, general function/formula rules and syntax, conditional statements, text functions and general text manipulation, how to grab the top/bottom percentages & values in the dataset and summation queries and aggregation issues.

Access: Intermediate - Intermediate Access is designed for individuals who already have a strong background in the Access database application and would like to design a new database from scratch. In addition to creating tables and controlling their format and properties, this workshop covers linking tables, incorporating hot links and OLE objects, macros, and the creation of a menu system to organize the various database functions.

Access: Intensive Forms Workshop - The FORM is the end-user interface tool of Microsoft Access that makes data easy to browse, enter and update. The different styles of Access forms will be discussed, together with a hands-on exploration of the form tools and design techniques.

Access: Intensive Queries Workshop - This workshop focuses on the Access query, its function, purpose and construction. The various types of queries will be covered in detail (including aggregate, parameter, crosstab, action, and join queries) as well as a discussion of the various query criteria types and how to use logic effectively in a query. Finally we will cover different ways to optimize queries to best create output applications, such as reports and mail merge.

Access: Intensive Reports Workshop - This workshop focuses on the various output or REPORT applications of Access. We will cover the different levels and styles of report creation as well as report design tools and techniques.

Access: Selected Topics in Database Design - Access: Selected Topics in Database Design is a new workshop specifically created for Access database users who are in the process of building and managing their own office database. This workshop has been conceived as a supportive problem-solving forum where database designers can show their work-in-progress and share possible solutions. All participants must pre-submit a sample of their databases to review in class.

Acrobat PDF: Word Documents- (This course is now being covered in "Placing Course Materials Online", see below) This workshop will cover the use of Adobe Acrobat for creating PDFs from standard office software, sending PDFs as an e-mail attachment, posting PDFs on the web, and will include a discussion of some alternatives to buying the Adobe Acrobat package. The workshop will also cover posting PDFs on the web.

Collaborative Web sites for the Classroom- This course covers the principles of file organization for basic web sites. Creating a structure for your files that is intuitive for the web designer, assistants and personnel that may take over the web site in the future is one key to keeping information continually updated and accurate. Class topics: Structuring the information you wish to present on the web site; developing a structure that will allow future web-site growth; various file types and their functions; maintaining a consistent look to the web site that matches the structure; developing a navigation system out of the underlying structure. Regarding Windows we will cover-- the "Explorer" view, folder creation, folder properties, file transfer and "My Documents." We will cover the same basics of folder creation, properties and file transfer in UNIX to prepare the participant for Basic Dreamweaver.

Contribute- Adobe Contribute is easy to learn and easy to use application that enables anyone to quickly update and add content to existing web sites. This workshop will cover how to access and log in to web sites, how to add or change web site content, how to upload documents (in Word, Excel or Adobe *.pdf) to a web site, and finally, how to actually publish your changes to the web. In this workshop, we will additionally cover the creation, formatting and management of tables and the insertion of hyperlinks, images, audio and video files.

Dreamweaver: Basic - Prerequisites: Access to RCI or EDEN accounts including your name and password (please test them before class to insure activation). Topics include: Setting up RCI/Eden for web sites, file management in Dreamweaver, developing web navigation structures, planning, design and posting of simple pages with Macromedia Dreamweaver, basic use of style sheets ("CSS"), and the relationship between Macromedia Contribute and Macromedia Dreamweaver.

Dreamweaver: Intermediate - Prerequisites: Attendees must know how to create, edit, and publish web pages in Dreamweaver (these are covered in "Dreamweaver: Basic"). Learn how to use Dreamweaver to more effectively create and maintain large web sites through the use of library items, frames, server-side includes and your own templates. Additionally, learn how to add dynamic elements with plugins, advanced style sheets (CSS), and basic javascript.

Excel: Basic - This workshop will orient the new user to the concept of the spreadsheet (or worksheet) in Excel. Navigation techniques will be covered, as well as data entry skills and basic number and text formatting and charting. The bulk of the course will focus on the creation of formulas within Excel, exploring a variety of methods to solve basic math problems.

Excel: Formula Practice - This workshop is intended for the basic to intermediate Excel user and offers expanded hands-on practice of Excel formulas and functions. Emphasis will be placed on generic formulas and formatting techniques frequently used in the Rutgers workplace. A few of the topics this workshop will cover are: working with payrolls, running totals, text manipulation, working with averages, percentages, and date arithmetic.

Excel: Intermediate - Intermediate Excel will focus on more advanced formula creation, such as using functions and creating what-if scenarios. List management will also be covered (including using lists with other programs), as well as creating macros and an in-depth look at charting data. This workshop will additionally introduce the Pivot Table as an effective data analysis tool.

File Maintenance for Web Design – this course covers the principles of file organization for basic web sites. Creating a structure for your files that is intuitive for the web designer, assistants and personnel that may take over the web site in the future is one key to keeping information continually updated and accurate. Class topics: structuring the information you wish to present on the web site; developing a structure that will allow future web site growth; various file types and their functions; maintaining a consistent look to the web site that matches the structure; developing a navigation system out of the underlying structure. Regarding Windows we will cover – the “Explorer” view, folder creation, folder properties, file transfer and “My Documents.” We will cover the same basics of folder creation, properties and file transfer in UNIX to prepare the participant for Basic Dreamweaver.

Flash: Introduction - Intro to Flash provides a basic tour of the Flash work environment, with emphasis on web animation terminology. We will examine a series of Flash web sites to discuss design techniques and the benefits of using Flash versus other web animation applications. During the hands-on activities, we create and animate rudimentary drawings and synchronize them with sound - ultimately preparing the 'movie' for web display using Dreamweaver.

Graphics & Photos for the Web: Using Macromedia Fireworks - Intro to Web Graphics Using Fireworks serves as an introduction to both bitmap and vector graphics, and how Fireworks allows the user to create and manipulate each type. We will additionally discuss the appropriate uses of various types of graphics on the web. Our hands-on activity employs some advanced features of Fireworks, which include image splicing and rollover menus.

Internet Literacy- Internet Literacy will provide the new Internet user with tools and techniques for efficient World Wide Web exploration. In this workshop, Netscape, Mozilla and Internet Explorer will be discussed as a standard web browsers. We will explore how to carry out web searches and how to download and save files and images.

Microsoft Publisher: Basic - The Microsoft Publisher workshop provides an introduction to the desktop publishing tools within the Microsoft Office Suite. MS Publisher is an easy to learn application which incorporates many familiar tools from MS Word. This workshop focuses on publication creation for print, including newsletters, brochures, labels, and envelopes. Document layout techniques, templates, font usage, text manipulation, and image manipulation utilities will be covered in detail. Additionally, desktop publishing resources on the web will be explored.

Microsoft Publisher: Intermediate -This workshop provides hands-on experience with additional tools in Microsoft Publisher: mail merge, page masters, custom templates, and tables. This workshop further explores object properties and formatting, custom publication creation, and importing images from alternate resources (such as scanners and digital cameras).

MS Excel: 2007 - What’s New in Excel 2007 (2 ½ hours): If you’re thinking of upgrading to Excel 2007, this hands-on workshop will introduce the redesigned Excel 2007 application.  Included will be the revamped   interface, Ribbons, the Office button, and the Quick-Launch bar. We will also compare the locations of common spreadsheet commands and functions in the old and new versions.  Additionally, a number of brand new Excel 2007 features will be demonstrated, including the Design Galleries, Quick Parts, Smart Art, Themes, and contextual tabs.  Excel 2007’s much-expanded spreadsheet potential, will be discussed, as well as improved conditional formatting, charting, and improved pivot table creation.  We will also discuss the new Excel spreadsheet (xlsx) format, especially regarding compatibility with prior versions.

MS PowerPoint: 2007 - What’s New in PowerPoint 2007 (2 ½ hours): What’s New in PowerPoint 2007 is a hands-on workshop that will introduce the redesigned PowerPoint 2007 interface, including Ribbons, the Office button, and the Quick-Launch bar, and will compare the locations of common presentation commands between the old and new versions.  The brand new PowerPoint 2007 features will be demonstrated, including the Design Galleries, Smart Art, Themes, enhanced slide masters, and contextual tabs.  We will also discuss the new PowerPoint presentation (pptx) format, especially regarding compatibility with prior versions.  Finally, we will explore the new and expanded 3-D special effects feature.

MS Word: 2007 - What’s New in Word 2007 (2 ½ hours): Thinking of upgrading to Word 2007?  This hands-on workshop will introduce the redesigned Word 2007 interface, including Ribbons, the Office button, and the Quick-Launch bar, and will compare the locations of common word processing commands in the old and new versions.  Additionally, a number of brand new Word 2007 features will be demonstrated, including the Design Galleries, Quick Parts, Smart Art, Themes, and contextual tabs.  We will also discuss the new Word document (docx) format, especially regarding compatibility with prior versions.

MS Word: Academic Tools - An introduction to MS Word with emphasis on academic tools including templates, styles, foot notes, illustration, hot links, document comparisons, symbol sets, importing text, outlining, etc.

MS Word: Advanced - Advanced MS Word explores a variety of tools and utilities in which you can control your word processing workspace. Custom toolbars, menus, macros and keyboard controls will be explored in detail, placing an emphasis on creating new tools and utilities that accomplish your own specific work needs. Additionally, we will work with Word outlining and bulleted lists, and will explore the creation of templates with custom fields.

MS Word: Basic - This workshop will acquaint the new user (or those familiar with other word processing packages) with the basic tools in Word. This class explores the myriad desktop functions in Word, focusing on the editing and formatting of text. Additionally, a variety of basic tips and techniques will be covered.

MS Word: Desktop Publishing - This course explores the desktop publishing tools (based on the concept of the text block) that are available within MS Word. The general types of desktop projects will be discussed, such as newsletters, brochures, signs, and CVs. Image management will be covered in detail, and will include image insertion and manipulation, resizing, cropping, and recoloring. Finally, we will cover the line drawing and word art capabilities of MS Word.

MS Word: Intermediate - Intermediate Word covers in depth the topics of mail merge (including labels, and importing information from other programs) and Table and List creation and maintenance. In addition, we explore a wide variety of useful tools for the academic community, such as foreign and scientific characters, basic image management, bookmarks, and style management.

MS Word: Mail Merge -This workshop covers the mail merge process in depth. Sources of data to merge (such as Excel, Access and MS Word tables) will be discussed in detail. Additionally, we will cover the creation of form letters, labels, envelopes, catalogs, and general listings using the MS Word Mail Merge process. MS Word: Mail Merge was formerly included within the MS Word: Intermediate workshop.

MS Word: Tables & Forms -This workshop covers the creation of fill-in forms in MS Word. Two types of forms will be demonstrated: forms with fill-in spaces for print distribution, and forms that can be distributed via the web or email and completed in MS Word. This workshop will introduce the Forms Toolbar with its specialized functions that can create drop-down menus and checkboxes, and lock and unlock the form.

Personal Computer: Introduction - This workshop will provide all basic information to get the new user started on using a personal computer. The basic PC platform components will be discussed, as well as an introduction to the MS Windows environment.

Photoshop: Basic - The workshop on Adobe Photoshop will cover the editing of digital images, primarily aimed for use on the web. The workshop will cover issues of file formats such as GIF, JPEG, PNG and TIFF, and how to reduce file size for quicker web page loading while preserving image quality.

Pivot Tables: Excel and Access - Pivot Tables: Excel and Access is an intermediate-level workshop that provides a thorough discussion of the pivot table - an advanced (but amazingly easy) interactive Excel tool that offers multiple ways to summarize large amounts of data. We begin this workshop with a discussion of various techniques of converting web data, text files, and other file formats into Excel spreadsheets (or Access tables) for pivoting. The pivot table tools and utilities are covered in detail with emphasis on the optimizing of spreadsheet data for the pivot. Finally, we explore the pivot table output tools, including the pivot chart and pivot aggregate functions, as well as pivot table formatting techniques.

PowerPoint: Advanced - In Advanced Power Point, you can learn how to create dynamic presentations for meetings, courses, thesis defenses, and lectures, using advanced graphics, video, and audio techniques. We will analyze and critique your own PowerPoint presentations and suggest ways to improve and polish your work. On the day of class, please either bring in a PowerPoint presentation you have already prepared or materials to create a new presentation (text in MS Word, data in Excel, graphics files, etc.) on a floppy or a 100 MB zip disk.

PowerPoint: Basic - The Basic PowerPoint workshop is a hands-on exploration of the package, where you will learn how to prepare a PowerPoint presentation from scratch. We will cover the capabilities of PowerPoint ; when it is appropriate to use the different PowerPoint views, how to use wizards and templates in order to prepare a presentation, and how to utilize tools appropriately. Included in this workshop will be discussion about fonts and color, importing clip art and web art, and how to add animation to your text to liven up your presentations.

PowerPoint: Bring In Your Stuff - This new workshop provides a forum for people already using PowerPoint, to bring in their own presentations or presentation materials for discussion in class.  Typical presentation discussions in this class could include the exploration of new tools and techniques, design strategies, using media effectively, and how to save a PowerPoint presentation as a web page.  Limit - 12

PowerPoint: Intermediate - Intermediate PowerPoint explores the next generation of presentation tools, including formatting tools, graphics tools, styles and animation and audio techniques. Workshop attendees are encouraged to bring in their own work in PowerPoint for further discussion, critique and improvement.

RefWorks: Basic - RefWorks is a web-based bibliography and database manager that allows users to create and manage their own personal bibliographic database. RefWorks is free to members of the Rutgers community. The Basic RefWorks workshop helps users create RefWorks accounts, acquire references of all types (books, journals, media, etc.) from numerous sources, organize and manage their bibliographies, and insert references into MS Word documents. This workshop will also introduce several useful RefWorks tools, such as RefShare (to share bibliographies with both Rutgers and outside collaborators) and RefGrab-It (to acquire bibliographic information from web-based resources, such as Google Scholar).

RefWorks: Special Topics - This workshop will address specific topics in RefWorks for users in the Rutgers community. New features (such as RefGrab-It and the ability to hold attachments) will be discussed and demonstrated. RefGrab has the ability to insert citations from references found in web sites. This session is intended to be a hands on session to address questions from people already using RefWorks.

RefWorks: Tools for Collaborative Research - RefShare is a new tool in RefWorks that provides users with a quick and easy method of sharing their research with other Rutgers users and students, and globally with any researcher who has Internet access. This workshop will explore how to make folders sharable, how to transfer research information between RefWorks databases, how to access and view the shared databases via a customizable central web page (such as posting class reading lists), and how to grant access to shared bibliographies by posting a URL, which then can be e-mailed.

Windows XP and File Management - This workshop investigates the various utilities and functions of Windows XP, including control panel settings, start menu configuration, printers, folder options, and other desktop management tools. Windows file management will be covered in detail, exploring a variety of techniques for storing and retrieving data. This workshop is designed for the novice or intermediate PC user who needs to fully understand the general concepts and mechanics of the Windows operating system and would like to organize their files more efficiently.