Prerequisites for Art 266

While the school does not include any specific prerequisites in the course description for this class in their catalog, I firmly believe there is an informal requirement for this class: anyone entering this course should already have a strong understanding of the Windows operating system.

This includes the following concepts and skills:

1. The capability to open programs, either from the desktop or from the Start Menu.

2. A basic understanding of the Windows file system - how to name and save files, where to go to find your files listed, how to open your files once you find them, how to select single or multiple files from a list, how to move and copy files, how to create folders, how to do a search for a file that seems to be missing, etc.

3. Comprehension of how to navigate and accomplish the fundamental file-related tasks described in item #1 above, in either My Computer or Windows Explorer. Also, an understanding of the icons / terms used to represent the system's drives in My Computer / Windows Explorer, e.g., C:\Local Disk.

4. Ability to open, close, minimize programs, and the ability to switch from one program that is currently open, to another.

5. Skill and dexterity with a mouse. Hand-eye coordination sufficient to effortlessly move the mouse to the exact position that you want it to be onscreen, as well as the skill to easily click, double-click, click-and-drag and right-click ( for context menu ) the mouse. In short, to get the mouse to do what you want it to do, without having a tremendous struggle.

6. The ability to perform Copy, Cut and Paste commands within a program, and the understanding of what you're doing when you invoke these commands.

7. Recognition of generic Windows programs' Menu system ( File menu, Edit menu, Help menu, etc. ) - what each of these menus generally contain, and what you need these menus for. While not all programs will have similar menus, the ones mentioned above are for teh most part, universal.
8. Finally - being comfortable enough with Windows to the point that all of the above is second-nature to you, without having to refer to notes / books, or ask for assistance in doing or understanding these basic tasks / concepts.

Please realize that this class is designed to cover Adobe Photoshop and Corel's Fractal Painter. These are professional-level, high-end, industry-standard graphics programs, and the majority of students entering the class already possess strong Windows skills.

For these reasons, students entering the course cannot expect it to be a remedial Windows class. It simply is not fair to the other students who signed up for this course based on the school's course description. And the instructor must spend valuable class time repeating information that the majority of students already know, depriving them of the best use of their class time.

I would strongly recommend that you first take a beginning Windows course before entering this one, so that you're more comfortable with the operating system. While you're taking the basic course, spend as much time with Windows, and with other programs such as word processors, to become familiar with how the system operates.

If you don't want to take such a class for credit because of the pressure of a grade, you could consider taking a non-credit course. The school's Adult / Continuing Education division offers many non-credit computer-related courses, many of them lasting only a month or so. Your local Park District may also offer similar courses. These are all excellent opportunities for you to become acquainted with Windows.

If you insist on taking this course despite weak Windows skills and decline to take basic Windows courses, I will recommend that you obtain the following tutorial book and work through it, in addition to the regular coursework. If, after working through the book, the student is still overwhelmed by basic concepts, I will recommend that you take this course at a later time, after completing at least one basic Windows course.

Recommended text:

Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition - 10 Minute Guide
Shelley O'Hara
Que, 2002
ISBN: 0-7897-2737-4