In this unit we investigate: • semiotics and graphics • reaction to sign and symbols: gain attention, convention and culture, response • denotation and connotation • principles of gestalt theory: similarity, continuation, closure, proximity, common fate, figure and ground • the role of Gestalt theory plays in graphics.

A step by step guide to using Adobe Photoshop. Students learn about the Photoshop workspace, cropping, resizing and rotating images, retouching and repairing images, effects and filters, using the selection tools, image transformations, point, paragraph and path type, type transformations, masks and effects, and the use of layers. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step-by-step, fully illustrated guide to using Microsoft Excel (part 3 of 3 - advanced). Activities include: creating and using macros; assigning a macro to a button; macro security; using filters to investigate and sort large data sets; conditional formatting; worksheet protection; goal seeking; using pivot tables to investigate, display, and summarize information; modifying pivot tables by grouping, rearranging fields, displaying multiple fields, and varying data presentation; importing data to create a pivot table; making pivot charts; and drilling down into a pivot table. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step-by-step, fully illustrated guide to using Microsoft PowerPoint. Activities include: basic features of PowerPoint and terminology; the four different views in PowerPoint; inserting, rearranging and deleting slides; creating a presentation from scratch; inserting graphics such as clipart; using themes; animating content; the animation pane and effect options; autorun and setting timings for a presentation; transitions; print options; creating a master slide, backgrounds, placeholders, default animation and templates; adding audio and video; and creating a menu using hyperlinks, hotspots or action buttons. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step-by-step, fully illustrated guide to using Microsoft Excel (part 2 of 3 - intermediate). Activities include: functions of, sum, average, stdev, max, min, count, counta, today, now; using AutoSum; sorting text and numbers in ascending and descending order; sorting on multiple columns; challenge activity; the use of charts (graphs) in Excel to visually display data; absolute and relative addressing; the use of lookup tables; naming ranges; the if logical function; and practical application of absolute addressing and a lookup table. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step-by-step, illustrated guide to Microsoft Access (part 2 of 2). Activities include: developing a form in design view; importing data into tables; criteria searching; using calculations and functions in queries; developing output reports, including summary information; developing a multi-table database; inserting sub-forms into a main form; setting up a navigation pane as a user-friendly interface; and starting a database with the switchboard in place. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step-by-step, illustrated introduction to Microsoft Access (part 1 of 2 - basics). Activities include: using an Access database; navigating and searching in tables; datasheet and form views; Access terminology, including tables, records, fields and keys; design and layout views; improving the appearance of forms; inserting, deleting, and updating data; sorting data into order; queries and filters; creating a database and tables from scratch; and field type and setting keys. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

Windows Live Movie Maker is a free, simple to use, video-editing program from Microsoft. It comes with Windows 7 or can be downloaded as part of Windows Essentials 2012. In these activities we investigate: the Movie Maker interface and controls, loading and arranging video clips, making transitions between clips, splitting and trimming clips, adding background music, inserting titles and credits, including with overlays, loading still images, adding captions, using special effects, and publishing the movie in various formats. All video files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step-by-step, fully illustrated guide to using Microsoft Word (part 2 of 3 - intermediate). The activities include: working with tables to display information; the Draw Table tool; formatting a table; using tabs to layout text and images; special tabs; form letters; mail merging; creating address labels; and creating, using and saving templates. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

In this unit we will explore typography, the appearance and lay out of text and how it can be used in Adobe Photoshop. Step-by-step instructions are suitable for Photoshop CS4, CS5, CS6 and CC, and on a PC or Mac. To do this we will investigate: •• typography terminology • categories of typefaces – serif, san serif, decorative, other • type style and type size • alignment and direction • type tools in Photoshop • choice of typeface • paragraph type in Photoshop • the use of white space • leading, tracking and kerning • type special effects, filters and masks in Photoshop • typographic hierarchy.

This study has variously been called interaction design, usability engineering, user interfacing, usability design, user-centred interface design, and so on. In this activity we investigate what HCI is including: • the user and the difference between the user model and the program model • the difference between goal and task based user focus • usability and user friendliness • forms of user interface: system and software; allowing for individual differences • design devices in HCI such as metaphor, idiom and affordance • user centric design and the design process • elements of good design; placement, harmony, typefaces and colour. This unit contains 7 classroom-tested activities to reinforce concepts introduced.

Illustrator is a program that that enables you to create and to work with vector graphics. Suitable for Illustrator CS4, CS5, CS6 and CC on either a PC or a Mac. In these step-by-step activities we investigate: • the Illustrator workspace and basic operations • the difference between raster and vector graphics; common file types of each • fill and stroke • drawing lines and shapes; fill and stroke • selection and direct selection • using the pen, pencil, blob brush and paintbrush tools • the shape builder tool • tracing a line drawing and converting it to a vector graphic • Type tools: text, paragraph, path, and special effects • converting text to a vector shape.

Structured Query Language (SQL) is the most widely used database query language in the world. In this investigation we look at: • the basic syntax of SQL • selecting columns and rows from a table • special operators: IN, BETWEEN, LIKE, etc. • updating an SQL database • subqueries and diagramming subqueries • processing of data in queries: arithmetic operators, functions, sorting, grouping • joining tables, including same-table joins • relational algebra terminology. This unit includes six classroom tested activities involving over 100 query questions (with answers) to reinforce the concepts learnt. The three databases used are avaialble as a free download on the title page.

Audacity is a free, easy-to-use audio-editing program that works with both the Windows and Mac operating systems. With Audacity we can record our own sounds and music, or we can work with existing audio files. These activities cover: the Audacity interface, controls, and track control panel; importing and playing audio tracks; editing techniques: selection, cut, copy and paste; labeling; amplification and other special effects; trimming, rearranging, and time shifting; noise removal; voice removal; varying tempo, speed, and pitch; normalization, equalization and compressor; recording sound, and overdubbing; creating a music mix and exporting. They also include theory on sound, file formats, sound quality, recording as well as a glossary. All audio files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the end of the activities.

A step by step guide to using Adobe Photoshop CC 2015. Students learn about the Photoshop workspace, cropping, resizing and rotating images, retouching and repairing images, effects and filters, using the selection tools, image transformations, point, paragraph and path type, type transformations, masks and effects, and the use of layers. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step by step guide to using Adobe DreamWeaver CS6. Students learn about the Dreamweaver interface and layout, using HTML, entering and formatting text in a web page, links, using style sheets, inserting and positioning images, site creation, site navigation, publishing a site, tables and using templates. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link in the Set Up Guide at the end of the activities.

A step by step guide to using Adobe Fireworks CS6. Students learn about the Fireworks interface, creating animated gifs, animating text, button graphics, buttons, navigation bars and pop-up menus. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.

A step-by-step, fully illustrated guide to using Microsoft Excel (part 1 of 3 - introductory). Activities include: what a spread sheet is and the various parts of the Excel screen; the Office ribbon interface and the backstage view; what-if analysis; labels, numbers and formulas; basic calculations; formatting a worksheet and using themes to improve presentation; filling values and formulas; using functions to simplify calculations; the Sum function and AutoSum; and printing a worksheet, including headers and footers. All files required for the activities are available as a free download through a link at the bottom of the title page.