Use IT to support your role
Overview
Handle files, edit, format and check information, search for and use email. This is based on the e-skills UK Areas of Competence export units: General Uses of IT and Use IT to exchange information.
Links: Self Administration
Specific skills:
- communicating
- organising
- planning
- problem solving
- quality checking
- recording
- researching
- using technology
Performance criteria
You must be able to:
Handle files
P1 use basic file-handling techniques for the software
P2 use appropriate techniques to handle, organise and save files
Edit, format and check information
P3 use basic editing techniques
P4 check the accuracy of documents
P5 use appropriate editing and formatting tools and techniques for more complex documents
P6 use proof reading techniques to check that documents look professional
Search for information on the internet or an intranet
P7 use a search engine to find and select appropriate information
P8 use suitable techniques to make it easier to find useful information again (e.g. bookmarks or favourites) and to pass it on to others (e.g. sending web pages and web links via email)
P9 keep records of where useful information came from
P10 save the results of searches so useful information can be found again
P11 choose a search engine that is appropriate for the information that is needed
P12 carry out searches
Send and receive e-mails
P13 use basic send commands
P14 use basic reply commands
P15 delete email
P16 send and open emails with attachment
P17 save attachments to appropriate places
P18 find emails
P19 follow any rules and guidelines for sending and replying to emails
P20 use more advanced facilities
P21 send messages to groups of people using groups set up in an address book
P22 send and receive instant messages with and without attachments
P23 compress messages on sending and uncompress messages that have been received
P24 archive emails where necessary
Knowledge and Understanding
You need to know and understand:
Purposes of using IT
K1 why the IT system and software that was used was appropriate for the task
K2 why and how using the IT system and software was an appropriate way of carrying out the task
Producing information
K3 who and what the information is for, where it will be used (e.g. on screen or hard copy) and when it is needed
K4 how to produce information that communicates clearly and accurately with the audience, where and when it is needed
Health and safety issues
K5 health and safety risks to self in using
K6 health and safety risks to others from common hardware
K7 what health and safety laws and guidelines affect the use of IT
K8 ways to keep risks to people to a minimum
K9 ways to keep risks to hardware to a minimum
Email facilities
K10 what are email messages
K11 how to use basic options to send, receive and reply to emails
K12 how to send and receive attachments
K13 how to use an address book
K14 how to send emails to groups using a group list within an address book
K15 how to archive and compress emails
K16 what other resources may be provided by email software and how to use these
Problems with Exchanging Information
K17 why some computer users may have difficulty in sending and receiving emails with attachments
K18 what to do about emails from unknown users
K19 what viruses are and the problems they can cause
K20 how using anti-virus software can help to keep risks to a minimum
K21 what risks there may be in downloading documents and software
K22 risks in sharing information such as personal details
K23 where and when to seek advice
K24 what to do about emails intended to cause problems, such as SPAM or chain-mails
K26 what limits there may be to the number or size of emails that can be received or stored
K27 how to avoid viruses
Laws and Guidelines
K28 what laws and guidelines affect the day-to-day use of IT, such as about Data Protection, Equal Opportunities, Disability, Health and Safety, copyright and guidelines set by your employer or organisation
K29 what and how different IT activities are affected by laws and guidelines, such as storing names and addresses, downloading images from the internet or sending inappropriate emails