Staff Support Workshops
The following hands-on workshops are sponsored by the Center for Teaching Advancement and Assessment Research. Workshops are open to all faculty and staff from all Rutgers campuses.
To register for a workshop use our on-line registration form. Dates are listed on the current calendar . If you have trouble with our form, please email us at workshops@ctaar.rutgers.edu or call us at 932-7466.
In the event of inclement weather, please refer to the CTAAR website home page http://ctaar.rutgers.edu/ which will post cancellation or delayed opening status within the News section.
Access Database Workshops:
Basic Access I: 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 I includes a discussion of a database and its applications. covers the TABLE 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. No prior knowledge is required.
Basic 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.
Intermediate Access: - 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 Queries - 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 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. Basic working knowledge of Access is required.
Access: Formula & Expression Practice - This workshop will focus on using queries in order to perform various calculations in Access. Topics include: 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. Basic working knowledge of Access is required.
Access: Intensive Forms & Reports - This workshop focuses on both the FORM and REPORT database objects in Access. 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 numerous form tools and design techniques. The REPORT can be used to summarize and chart Access data. Reports can be digital and/or printable. A number of report tools and techniques will be covered, as well as how to export report content into Word, Excel or HTML. Basic working knowledge of Access is required.
Advanced Access: 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: Bring in your Stuff - Access: Bring in your Stuff is a workshop 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 and share in class.
Excel Workshops:
Basic Excel: - This workshop will orient the new user to the concept of the worksheet (or spreadsheet) in Excel. Navigation techniques will be covered, as well as data management skills and basic number and text formatting. The remainder of the course will focus on the creation of formulas within Excel, exploring a variety of methods to solve basic math problems. No prior knowledge of Excel is required.
Intermediate Excel: - Intermediate Excel reviews the principles for creating formulas and functions and introduces some more advanced topics such as SUBTOTALS and other useful functons. We also cover conditional formatting, the use of filters for managing data in Excel, using PIVOTTABLES for data analysis, creating charts and graphs, and setting up a simple macro.
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. A review of Excel principles (such as, absolute vs. relative cell references) and demonstration of built-in Excel formula auditing tools is included in the discussion.
Using PivotTables in Excel: - This workshop is intended for the intermediate Excel user and offers expanded hands-on practice of the PivotTable - one of the most sophisticated analysis tools in Excel. We first explore how to acquire web-based data for analysis in Excel using the Web Query. We then discuss how to optimize Excel data for pivoting, and how to set up, format, and manage the PivotTable tool. Finally, we discuss how to graphically illustrate data in a PivotTable in a PivotChart.
Charting Tools in Excel - This workshop is intended for the intermediate level Excel user and explores in detail the various tools Excel offers that can visualize data in different ways: Conditional Formatting, Sparklines(new) and traditional Excel chart tools. In addition to how to optimize Excel data for charting, we will discuss various charting techniques and how to transfer Excel charts to Word and PowerPoint.
PowerPoint Workshops:
Basic PowerPoint: - The Basic PowerPoint workshop is a hands-on exploration of the application, 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 and transitions to your slides to liven up your presentations. No prior knowledge of PowerPoint is required.
Intermediate PowerPoint: - 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.
Using Media in PowerPoint: - In Using Media in 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 cover the types of image, audio and video formats that are compatible with PowerPoint, as well as PowerPoint media tools and utilities. Additionally, we will cover numerous resources on the web where you can download free audio & video management applications, as well as copyright-free images, music, sounds, and videos.
PowerPoint: Bring In Your Stuff - This 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 or for playback on an iPod. 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 either a USB disk or burned on a CD.
MS Word Workshops:
Basic MS Word:- 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. No prior knowledge of MS Word is required.
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.
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: Desktop Publishing - This course explores the desktop publishing tools 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.
Web Design Workshops:
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.
Dreamweaver: Javascript & CSS - Prerequisites: Attendees must know how to create, edit, and publish web pages in Dreamweaver (these are covered in "Dreamweaver: Basic"). Learn how to add dynamic elements with plugins and more advanced uses of style sheets (CSS). This workshop will also cover simple uses of Javascript, primarily focusing on how to use javascript code written by other people. Additional time may be spent on reviewing CSS techniques learned in "Dreamweaver: Basic" and "Dreamweaver: Templates"
Dreamweaver: Templates - 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. Also learn how to use the Rutgers templates. In addition, this workshop will expand on concepts learned in "Dreamweaver: Basic" for using style sheets (CSS) to improve the look of a web site.
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.
Other Workshops:
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.
Adobe Acrobat: Basic - This workshop introduces the new Acrobat user to the basics of creating and modifying PDFs in Adobe Acrobat Professional. Course topics include: navigating the Acrobat interface, creating PDF files from a variety of sources including from a scanner and the web, applying basic security to a PDF, and exporting a PDF to other file formats such as Microsoft Word. We’ll also discuss the differences between the free Adobe Reader and the full Adobe Acrobat application. This class assumes that attendees have little or no prior experience with Adobe Acrobat.
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. No prior knowledge is required.
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).
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). Finally, the tool Write-N-Cite will demonstrate how to easily incorporate references into an MS Word document and automatically create end notes and a bibliography. No prior knowledge of RefWorks is required.
Updated: 2/25/2011