Computer Training

People’s Resource Center offers a variety of in-person and virtual computer training courses and workshops, from beginner to advanced, with start dates throughout the year.

Beginner courses are offered in-person at PRC’s Westmont and Wheaton locations and at partner sites across DuPage County. Click here to see a list of our current partner locations. These courses meet once a week for 90 minutes for the duration of the course. Beginner courses include Introduction to Computers and Windows Fundamentals, which offer the best support for those with little or no experience with computers. Click Beginner Courses below to view beginner course descriptions.

Intermediate courses are offered in-person at PRC’s Westmont and Wheaton locations and our partner sites, or via Zoom. These courses meet once a week for 90 minutes for the duration of the course. Intermediate courses include Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint options. Students must show basic Windows proficiency prior to registration. Click Intermediate Courses below to view intermediate course descriptions.

Workshops are offered in-person at PRC’s Westmont and Wheaton locations and our partner sites, or via Zoom. Workshops meet one time for 90 minutes and cover a focused topic. Click One-day Workshops below to view workshop options and descriptions.

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification courses are offered in Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. These are our most advanced Computer Training courses. Classes meet via Zoom twice a week for 90 minutes for the duration of the course, and independent study is required for approximately 12-15 hours per week outside of class meetings. A self-study option is also available for students who are unable to make scheduled class meetings. Each MOS course ends with a proctored, timed certification exam at PRC’s Wheaton location. Due to the intense nature of the MOS courses, an additional application and screening process is required. Click Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification Courses below to view MOS course topics and exam objectives.

How to Get Started

Computer Training courses and workshops begin throughout the year. To learn more about our classes, fill out our computer class interest form here.

Questions? Contact the Computer Training Team at ct@peoplesrc.org or call 630-682-5402 extension 218.

Beginner Courses

Intro to Computers (7-week course): Introduces the components of a computer, how to use a mouse, Windows desktop, introduction to applications, files and folders, email, attaching documents and using the Internet. Prerequisite: none

Windows Fundamentals (7-week course): Moving and resizing application windows, creating files, folders, and shortcuts, libraries and external drives, renaming and deleting files, a brief introduction to Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. Prerequisite: none

Intermediate Courses

Microsoft Word 2019 (6-week course): Getting started, creating and saving documents, formatting, inserting, copying and moving text, enhancing documents, and other features. Prerequisite: Windows Fundamentals “advance” outcome or Windows assessment passing score (>85%)

Microsoft Excel 2019 (6-week course): Getting started, creating and saving workbooks, formatting, basic formulas and functions, sorting and filtering, and other features. Prerequisite: Windows Fundamentals “advance” outcome or Windows assessment passing score (>85%)

Microsoft PowerPoint 2019 (6-week course): Getting started, creating and saving presentations, slide and text basics, inserting pictures and shapes, themes, transitions, animations, best practices for presentations, and other features. Students will create slide shows that they will present in the last class meeting. Prerequisite: Word and Excel “advance” outcome or Word and Excel assessments with passing scores (>85%)

One-day Workshops

Chromebook Setup Session: Bring your Chromebook, Gmail credentials, and get help with setting it up.

Intro to Chromebooks Workshop: This workshop covers Chromebook basics, including terminology, Google’s applications, tips on keeping data secure, and how to save and send files. Bring your Chromebook and follow along!
Clients must already have a Chromebook that has been set up.

Microsoft Word – Mail Merge Workshop: Learn how to use Mail Merge to create letters, labels, and envelopes.
Prerequisite: Microsoft Word 2019 “advance” outcome or Word assessment passing score (>85%)

Microsoft Word – Track Changes & Comments Workshop: Learn how to track changes and comments when collaborating on documents. Prerequisite: Microsoft Word 2019 “advance” outcome or Word assessment passing score (>85%)

Microsoft Word – Advanced Formatting Workshop: Learn how to add columns to your document and how to apply and modify styles. Prerequisite: Microsoft Word 2019 “advance” outcome or Word assessment passing score (>85%)

Microsoft Excel – Conditional Formatting/What-if Analysis Workshop: Learn how to apply, modify, and delete conditional formatting rules and how to use What-If Analysis to answer different types of questions. Prerequisite: Microsoft Excel 2019 “advance” outcome or Excel Assessment with passing score (>85%)

Microsoft Excel – PivotTables Workshop: Learn how PivotTables can help you summarize data. Prerequisite: Microsoft Excel 2019 “advance” outcome or Excel assessment with passing score (>85%)

Microsoft Excel – VLOOKUP Workshop: Learn how VLOOKUP can help you find specific information in your worksheet.
Prerequisite: Microsoft Excel 2019 “advance” outcome or Excel assessment with passing score (>85%)

Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Certification Courses

Classes meet via Zoom twice per week for 90 minutes. Each course ends in a 50-minute proctored exam at PRC’s Wheaton location. Students must complete an application and screening process with the Computer Training team prior to being accepted into a MOS course.

MOS Word 2019 (5-week course): For course objectives, click here.

MOS Excel 2019 (6-week course): For course objectives, click here.

MOS PowerPoint 2019 (5-week course): For course objectives, click here.