What are the benefits to you?

All Farm Smart programmes are delivered locally at a time that suits participants. Modules are tailored to your industry and level of need.

By attending Farm Smart - Certificate in Computer Skills you can:

• join other like-minded members of your community and learn together
• learn at your own pace and in your own space
• gain greater access to information technology
• enhance your business acumen and build a better bottom line
• align your learning to NZQA unit standards

The Certificate in Computer Skills (CCS) is a nationwide initiative allowing rural and regional New Zealanders to access modern technology based training and education irrespective of their location..

The CCS online modules are part of a qualification offered by your regional Institute of Technology or Polytechnic (ITP).

Course Eligibility

All Farm Smart CCS modules are FREE to New Zealand citizens or permanent residents, or Australian citizens resident in New Zealand or citizens of the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau aged 16 or over. Proof of identity is required by all students. When you attend your first class, you must bring with you an original identification document (see below) plus two copies.

The following are the only documents approved by the Ministry of Education as proof of your identity:

• A New Zealand Passport; or
• A Passport with a New Zealand Permanent Residence permit; or
• An Australian Passport; or
• A Passport with an Australian Permanent Residence permit, or
• A Birth Certificate with place of birth stated as New Zealand; or
• A Statement of Whakapapa, countersigned by a Kaumatua; or
• A Certificate of New Zealand Citizenship or a letter of confirmation; or
• A Birth Certificate with place of birth stated as the Cook Islands, Niue or Tokelau.

Two copies of the identification document are required. (You only need to copy the first double page of your passport which is the page with your photo and all your details). Please note, if a Permanent Resident you must also bring two copies of your Residence Permit. In addition, if you have registered in a name different than that on your ID document, e.g., a married woman with a Birth Certificate in your maiden name, you will need to provide an additional official document, e.g., Marriage Certificate, plus 2 copies, to prove the link to your registered name.

Programme Suitability

The CCS is an ideal starting point for anyone interested in learning all about computers and the Internet.

Programme Structure

1. To be awarded the CCS you need a total of 60 module credits. To achieve these credits you must pass the online assessments for each of the 9 modules.
2. Each module has approximately 40 hours of self-paced learning. You have up to 3 years to pass all 9 modules, although we expect most students will be able to complete the programme in a shorter time frame.
3. To register your interest in the CCS, simply complete the Registration of Interest online form and you will be contacted to discuss your options and to assist you with enrolment. If you would prefer to do this by telephone, you can call the Booking Line on 0508 327676 (0508 FARMSMART).
4. Your Farm Smart coordinator will take you through the enrolment process and the workshop tutor will show you how to create a unique Username and Password to access the Course Administration System (CAS) on this website.
5. After your initial module you can use CAS to select a convenient site near you and enrol in other modules. You can book a session for a specific module or, if offered by the site you choose, enrol in a "General Session" that will allow you to enrol in any of the available modules when you arrive at the venue.
6. All the modules follow the same format so once you have completed one enrolment, booking and set of module assessments you have the skills to be able to continue at your own pace and study them all!!
7. You continue to study the module at a time and place that suits you. During the modules you are required to complete assessments. You must score 100% to pass but it is an 'open book' assessment, (you may refer to the course content whilst taking the assessment). You are allowed 3 attempts to pass, the first 2 are automatic and the 3rd requires the approval of your tutor.
8. If you want to sit the assessments for the associated Unit Standards you can do so at the end of each module. Simply book yourself into a venue to sit the unit standard assessments.
9. You then select the next module(s) that you wish to study. You have a choice of attending another classroom session to get started if you wish or completing the module(s) entirely online.
10. If you change your mind or want to return to a classroom session for a 'refresher', you may do so at any time.
11. When you have passed all 9 modules you will be awarded the Certificate in Computer Skills by your regional ITP.

For further information please see the Programme Admission Information.

What will you need?

To study for the CCS modules you will need access to:

• A PC with Windows 98 or later, (Windows 2000 or later is preferred), or Mac with OS9 or later,
• An Internet connection,
• The software application you are learning. For example, if you are studying Word Processing you will need to have Microsoft Word installed on your computer so that you can practise the exercises within the course using the actual program.

Some of the modules, e.g., Basic Concepts of IT, do not require you to have any specific software applications installed on your computer.

Please note: The modules are designed to be used with newer versions of Microsoft Windows, (such as Windows XP), and are based on the Microsoft Office 2002 suite of applications. If you have an earlier version of Windows or Office on your computer you will still be able to complete the courses as long as your Internet Browser, (the program you are using to view this page), is Internet Explorer 5.5 (or later) or Netscape 6.2 (or later), and you have Flash 5 (or later) installed. (Click on Minimum Requirements to check what is installed on your computer.)

Some images and interactions within the course may be different to those on your computer and you may not be able to complete some of the exercises that require functionality only available in Microsoft Office 2002 or later. You will however still be able to complete the module and assessment.

Help

During the 3 years that you have to complete the Certificate, you will have:

• Password access to the content for each module you select.
• Contact details for your tutor for support.
• Access to a technical telephone support line.
• Online Help via email from website
• Additional classroom time available if needed.

Thank you for your interest in the Farm Smart Certificate in Computer Skills