Community learning
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Examples of progression opportunities content
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We offer the following courses for community learning. They can be taken as stand alone courses or used as part of progression routes.
Progression routes for students have been integral to learning centre programmes for a number of years, offering opportunities for students to progress, in accordance with their own personal circumstances and learning / employment needs. They also enable you to gain entry qualifications for FE and HE level courses, including degree programmes.
Examples of progression opportunities
Examples of progression opportunities
Examples of progression opportunities include:
- You can progress from Getting started with iPad / Tablet courses onto more advanced iPad / Tablet courses
- You can take a variety of courses at the same level such as Editing Digital Photos; Letters, Leaflets Labels; and Camera, Computer, Printer
- Students attending Computing for Beginners classes can progress onto the ICT SCQF level 4/5 class, then the ECDL qualification and then the PDA IT in Business group award.
- From completing the Getting Started with Sage course you can progress onto the HN unit, “Using Financial Accounting Software” and then onto the PDA Financial Accounting group award.
- You can start with PDA units and then progress to a relevant HNC
- Opportunities exist for students who have gained communication and numeracy core skills to progress onto Further and Higher education, including degree courses e.g. Nursing degree.
| Course Title | Description |
|---|---|
| Cyber Security |
This course will build people’s online security awareness and resilience by teaching them how to be secure online. Including: the importance of secure passwords, how to report cyber crime and how to ensure privacy settings on social media are secure. See full details and how to apply here: |
| Getting Started with iPads | Suitable for beginners. Learn how to download and use apps to personalise your iPad. Learn how to stay in touch with family and friends using FaceTime and Skype. Learn how to backup content on your iPad |
| iPad: The next steps | Learn more about staying in touch with family and friends using your iPad apps e.g. Facebook and Messenger. |
| iPad: Improvers | Explore and learn how to use ‘free’ entertainment apps like BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, Spotify and STV Player). Learn how to cast/mirror to a smart TV and/or connect to a bluetooth device such as a speaker. |
| iPad: Intermediate Level | A basic introduction to Pages for iPad for example how to write and print a letter. Explore how to use the iBooks library. Learn how to share large photographs/videos via dropbox and family share. |
| iPad: Advanced Level | Learn how to use iCloud and manage the storage available on your iPad. Explore Facebook settings to ensure you understand what you are sharing and who you are sharing with. Learn how to use Apple Keychain. |
| Introduction to iPad Photography | Learn how to use the Camera App to compose and take better photographs. Learn how to use the Photos App to edit, organise and view your photographs. Learn how to share your photos with family and friends. |
| iPad: Photobooks | Design a digital photo album using your personal photos, add text and other embellishments. Learn to upload photos and to use multi-media tools. Credit rated at SCQF level 3. |
| iPad Photography: Image Editing | Introduction to Snapseed, a free photo editing app for iPad, to edit and enhance photographs you have taken. |
| iPad Photography: Advance Image Editing | Learn how to combine photographs using the double exposure feature within Snapseed, a free photo editing app for iPad. |
| iPad Video: Capture, Edit and Share | Learn how to use iMovie to combine photographs and video clips into a video with titles, credits and audio. Share your completed movie via social media, messaging or email. |
| iPad: Working and Studying Remotely | Learn how to use your iPad to host/attend online events using a variety of meeting apps for example Zoom. Learn how to use Adobe Scan and other office related apps to support your studies. |
| Getting Started with Android Tablets | New to using an Android tablet? Join our classes for an introduction to the basics. |
| Android tablets - The next steps | Learn more about staying in touch with family and friends using your Tablet apps e.g. Facebook and Messenger. |
| Computing for Beginners | Learn to use the internet safely, to send/receive emails and to use word processing. SQA certificated at Level 3. |
| Computing for Improvers | Improve your skills in working with documents, tables, spreadsheets. Use the internet safely to share photos, listen to the radio and watch TV. SQA certificated at Level 4. |
| Computing – Intermediate Level | Learn to use applications including word processing and spreadsheets. Find out how to manage files and search the internet. SQA certificated at Level 5. Option to study the course online though you must attend for tests. Ideal preparation for the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL). |
| Computing for Small Business - an introduction | Learn to create letterheads, compliment slips, business letters, mail merge, labels, invoice templates, spreadsheets to calculate VAT & profit. Uses Microsoft Office 365. Online course with drop-in support |
| Letters, Leaflets and Labels | Improve your skills in writing and word processing letters, leaflets and posters. Learn to use Mail Merge for envelopes/labels. Credit rated at SCQF level 3. |
| Spreadsheets: An Introduction | Suitable for beginners. Learn how to create a basic spreadsheet and use simple formula. |
| Camera to Computer to Printer | Improve your skills in saving photos to computer. Introduction to photo editing using Paintshop Pro. Learn to understand the jargon of digital photography. Credit rated at SCQF level 3. |
| Creative Writing 1 | Read and discuss writing by different authors. Write your own pieces which express feelings, explore different viewpoints and describe relationships. SQA certificated |
| Digital Photobooks and Calendars | Design a digital photo album or create a calendar with photos and text. Learn to download photos and to use multi-media tools. Credit rated at SCQF level 3. |
| Digital Photos: Still Images Acquisition | Learn to use a digital camera and scanner to capture and create images. Develop skills in storing and presenting images. SQA certificated. |
| Digital Photos: Still Images Editing | Take digital images and learn to select and edit them. Develop skills in presenting a final portfolio. SQA certificated. |
| Editing Digital Photos | Improve your digital photos and learn to scan and restore old photos and slides with Paint Shop Pro. File formats, printing, visual effects, editing, improving and restoring photographs. Credit rated at SCQF level 3. |
| Mixing Sound, Video and Photos | Capture and create sound, video and photos using digital media. Develop a short multimedia presentation. Achieve SQA qualification in Digital Media Elements. |
| Movie Maker - Make the Most of Photos and Videos | Create a digital movie. Upload and save photos to computer, create your own storyboard using photos, music and text, save to CD. SCQF level 3 credit rated. |
| Communication - improve your English skills | Improve your skills and confidence in reading, writing and talking. Achieve an SQA qualification at a level which is the minimum required for many jobs in business, administration and technical occupations. |
| Numeracy - develop your number skills | Improve your basic numerical skills and build your confidence working with: fractions, percentages, decimals, ratio and proportion. Develop your understanding of line graphs, bar charts and tables. Achieve SQA qualification in Numeracy at Level 4/5. |
| New Directions | Improve your confidence, communication, IT and number skills. Complete application forms, produce a CV and practice interview skills. Achieve SQA qualifications in Communication, Numeracy and ICT. |
| Maths - National 4 | Three certificated units including Expressions / Formulae; Relationships; and Numeracy. Optional final exam for a full SQA group award. |
| Getting Started with Sage Accounting Software | Learn to use Sage Accounting software, create new customers/suppliers, record invoices/credits notes/cash payments, VAT, trial balances, back up data. Credit rated at SCQF level 3. |
| Using Sage Financial Accounting Software (PDA Book-Keeping / Financial Accounting) | Use accounting software to process financial transactions and prepare accounting reports. Achieve Higher National Certificate unit, which is part of the PDA in Book-keeping and PDA in Financial Accounting. |
| Payroll (PDA Book-Keeping) | Basic payroll calculations and procedures and use of payroll software package (Sage) to process payroll. Achieve Higher National Certificate unit. |
| Preparing Financial Statements (PDA Financial Accounting) | Prepare final accounts for business organisations and for a sole trader. Prepare a cash flow statement for a limited company and analyse the final accounts of a limited company using accounting ratios Achieve Higher National Certificate unit. |
| Recording Financial Information (PDA in Book-Keeping / Financial Accounting) | Record financial transactions and incorporate control mechanisms in a double entry book-keeping system. Extract a trial balance and complete a VAT Return. Achieve Higher National Certificate unit, which is part of the PDA in Book-keeping and PDA in Financial Accounting |
| Management Accounting using IT (PDA Management Accounts | Develop management information decision making and information technology skills. Learn how to provide timeous, meaningful and well-presented financial information using Microsoft Excel. |
| Cost Accounting (PDA Management Accounts | An introduction to costing techniques that may be utilised within a cost accounting environment. Learn how to maintain a working accounting system for classifying and recording cost accounting information for purposes such as inventory valuations, job costing and profit measurement. |
| Databases – Advanced (PDA IT in Business) | Develop the knowledge/skills to use databases for business purposes. Achieve Higher National Certificate unit. |
| Spreadsheets – Advanced (PDA IT in Business) | Advanced spreadsheet unit - part of PDA award aimed at developing skills in using spreadsheets to solve business problems. Areas include spreadsheet design, functions, formulas, cell referencing, macros and security Achieve SQA Higher National Certificate unit. |
| Word Processing and Presentation Applications (PDA IT in Business) | Develop the knowledge/skills to use word processing and presentation applications for business purposes. Achieve double-credit Higher National Certificate unit. |
| Office Administration (PDA in Office Administration) | Develop the knowledge/skills to meet the requirements of the administrative function of an organisation. Achieve Higher National Certificate unit. |
| Digital Technologies for Administrators (PDA in Office Administration) | Develop the knowledge/skills to use digital technologies to support administrative functions. Achieve Higher National Certificate unit. |
| Personal Development Planning (PDA in Office Administration) | Develop personal and general skills and qualities which employers seek in the workplace. Achieve a Higher National Certificate unit. |
| Business Communication (PDA in Office Administration) | You will analyse and produce complex written business documents as well as taking part in a formal meeting. Achieve Higher National Certificate unit. |
| Support for IT, Job Seeking and Learning & SVQs | Each learning centre has a Drop in Session when you can come along for help getting onto the internet and job-seeking. You can get support to use computers/ tablets and to search for jobs, make online applications, prepare a CV and other learning. Tutors are on hand to offer support. |
| ICDL Group Award | Study the main computer applications used in business and education using Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365. Group Award: IT User Fundamentals, Using Email and Internet, IT Security, Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Database. |
| ICDL Level 1 | Study the main computer applications used in business and education using Windows10 and Microsoft Office 365. Level 1: IT User Fundamentals, Using Email and Internet, IT Security |
| ICDL Level 2 | Study the main computer applications used in business and education using Windows 10 and Microsoft Office 365. Level 2: Word Processing, Spreadsheets, Presentations, Improving Productivity. |
| Advanced Word Processing; Spreadsheets; Databases; | Study the advanced features of Microsoft applications (Office 365) and Windows 10. Secure a British Computing Society Qualification. |
| Family Tree Research | Build skills in reading Birth, Marriage and Death certificates. Learn how to find clues from memorabilia and Internet resources. Create a family tree with written records and photographic portraits. SCQF level 4 credit rated. |
| Psychology - an introduction | Learn the history and origins of Psychology and "Who's Who". Introduction to developmental, social and cognitive psychology. Study interesting case studies, experiments and different approaches to psychology |