'Do you dream of a degree, Masters or PhD in computer sciences?'

Suzanne Elvidge looks at ways to improve your computing skills.

According to the calendar, and possibly the weather (some days!) it’s pretty much summer, though up here in the frozen north we are still getting ground frosts. Now you’ve booked your ethical summer holidays, perhaps it’s time to look at getting your technology and computer skills up to scratch.

So, what do you want to do? Do you want to start right from the beginning and gain basic computer skills or do you want to learn something practical to begin a new career? Do you dream of a degree, Masters or PhD in computer sciences?

Basic computing courses

A good place to start for basic courses is your local college. Start with a search on Google and have a look at the courses sections of the website ( eg Doncaster College). Your local library might have lists of IT courses, or even run courses itself ( eg Brent libraries ), and the Peoples Network is a Government initiative to get the Internet into all public libraries.

There are basic computer courses on line, where you can learn at your own speed. You can access learndirect’s courses at home, from work or from its network of learning centres. Vision2Learn provides free IT courses. Many local councils also offer specialist courses for older people.

Computing for qualifications

You can get qualifications in IT at all levels. The equalskills course begins at the very basics, and the European Computer Driving Licence covers computing in the workplace and society.

City & Guilds IT qualifications, e-Quals are suitable for all levels, from new users to IT professionals.

CLAIT (Computer Literacy And Information Technology ), is the UK's most popular IT qualification, and is part of the OCR CLAIT Suite, a package of qualifications offered by the OCR exam board ( Oxford Cambridge and RSA Examinations ). CLAIT Plus is a more advanced qualification for individuals with some IT skills.

A lot of training providers deliver Microsoft-approved courses ( eg PTR Associates ) and Apple-approved courses ( eg CompTIA ).

The Open University, the original distance learning provider, has a range of computing courses that can add up to undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications.

Other technology courses

Brush up on using your PDA, digital camera, video or GPS. Still not sure what you want? The National Grid for Learning provides links to a range of sources on the web for IT courses. Get surfing and get learning.

Suzanne Elvidge is the editor of www.echurchactive.net, effective use of technology for the church.