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This two-day study methods course for Years 10 – 12 students focuses on time management, learning and memory, critical thinking and the examination period.
Students develop strategies for independent study and time management for all subjects. We begin with how to confront and overcome distraction and procrastination – the most common difficulty for students in Years 11 and 12. The course then defines the higher order thinking that underpins HSC syllabuses and marking guidelines. Time management is explored – a major need for success in study, with specific reference to time management techniques such as Pomodoro and certain note taking systems, eg Cornell. Recent theories of learning and memory are explained and applied.
Throughout the course, you will put your learning into practice in self-chosen areas of study. Other topics include revision throughout the year, final revision and the exam period; examination papers and practice for exam conditions. The range is wide and the course is varied, including a focus on using online resources and databases such as those available through the State Library of NSW.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- confront and overcome procrastination
- plan and maintain time management, including timetables for the session, the week, the school term and the year
- apply key theories of learning and cognition, including how these apply to NESA syllabuses and examinations
- plan for study and revision throughout the year
- prepare for the examination period
- improve use of research resources including online resources and library resources such as those available through the State Library of NSW
- read and analyse sample HSC examination material provided by NESA.
- Recognising and overcoming procrastination
- Discussion and application of theories of cognition and critical thinking, including the range from knowledge to analysis and synthesis
- Discussion and application of recent theories of memory and learning, including learning over time, depth learning, and analytic elaboration of knowledge and ideas
- Student application of memory and learning methods to self-chosen material
- Discussion and analysis of research resources including the State Library of NSW HSC resources and other online resources
- Discussion and planning for revision throughout the year and in the period before examinations
- Discussion about the examination room experience and how to deal with examination papers
- Study of examination papers, exam essays and other examination material provided by NESA
Students in Years 10-12
Delivery includes presentation by the teacher and interactive group discussion. Sharing issues and solutions is a major part of this course. You will apply the study methods to self-chosen topics and texts. You will need access to texts and other school material during the course.
You will be provided with a course booklet (electronic copy) using Dropbox which includes previous examination papers and essays.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) and a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged as access to power is limited.
Please note that the University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
References
NESA Syllabus agreement: (1) The 2017 Introduction provided at the beginning of to the Stage 6 Curriculum for Higher School Certificate courses in English, Mathematics and Science; (2) Learning Across the Curriculum in the 2017 NESA Stage 6 Curriculum.
View Years 10-12 Course: Study Methods detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis one-day HSC English preparation course focuses on George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) for the Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences.
The review of the novel begins with context: Orwell’s response to the Cold War period led to a dark, dystopian, science fiction satire that is both a puzzle about the history of Communist Russia and a warning against totalitarianism. Analysis and discussion of selected passages focuses the representation of totalitarianism and raises questions about the relevance of propaganda, socialism and capitalism to the present.
Analysis of Winston’s story and its range from realism to fable and dream focuses conformity, dissent, and surveillance and technology. Detailed analysis of selected passages focuses exploration of doublethink, Room 101, O’Brien’s vision of a future of propaganda and torture, whether the proles offer any hope, and pessimism versus optimism.
Comparison to other texts further encourages personal responses about individual and collective human experience. For example, the White Rabbit exhibition Republic of Jing Bang - influenced by Nineteen Eighty-Four - raises the issue of the construction of identity in relation to the present world of television, news and social media.
This course is only suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- analyse and discuss Nineteen Eighty Four in relation to the concept of ‘textual integrity’ including context, narrative, structure, themes, literary style, key words and motifs
- analyse and discuss Nineteen Eighty Four as a special case of literature as a representation of individual and collective human experience, with a focus on twentieth-century history, totalitarianism and propaganda
- make informed and personal connections between key experiences and themes in Nineteen Eighty Four and the present, including O’Brien and the proles.
- Critical study of Nineteen Eighty-Four as a complex text in relation to the concept of ‘textual integrity, including narrative and genre, with attention to the hybrid form - dystopian science fiction, realistic fable, satire, dream, variation on propaganda.
- Critical study of Nineteen Eighty Four in relation to context and meaning in order to explore its particular interest as a representation of individual and collective human experience, including the focus on twentieth-century history and politics, totalitarianism and propaganda.
- An overview and analysis of selected passages of Nineteen Eighty-Four in order to encourage students to challenge assumptions and explore new ideas about individual and collective human experience in confrontation with the pessimism of the novel. The selected passages include doublethink, Room 101, O’Brien’s vision the future, and the proles.
Year 12 HSC English Standard and Advanced students studying George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four for the Common Module: Texts and Human Experiences.
A combination of lecture and group discussion with selected passages and selected literary criticism and related texts used as a basis for interactive exploration of the text to provide informed personal student responses.
A course booklet is provided electronically. Please bring along your own copy of the text.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) along with a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged, as access to power outlets is limited.
Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
References
NESA English Advanced Stage 6 Syllabus (2017)
View HSC English Standard & Advanced Preparation Course - Common Module: 'Nineteen Eighty-Four' details
EA 12-1, EA 12-2, EA 12-3, EA 12-4, EA 12-5, EA 12-6, EA 12-7, EA 12-8, EA 12-9WaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listIn this Microsoft Copilot: Your AI Virtual Assistant course, you'll learn how to effectively communicate with Microsoft Copilot to maximise its output and master its use to simplify complex tasks, create your own AI agent, and share work and data efficiently using AI. Through hands-on lessons, you will develop your digital research, collaboration, and content creation skills using Copilot.
We will explore the different versions of Copilot, highlighting their capabilities, advantages, and limitations. Utilising Copilot on the Web, you will gain insights to improve writing and communication by instructing the AI to be creative, balanced, or precise. The accuracy of Copilot’s responses improves when you apply recommendations imparted from our expert instructors.
Increased productivity is achieved using Copilot 365 to analyse emails, PowerPoints, and files. The greatest benefits of Copilot 365 are realised when it is used to compose, analyse and summarise content within your applications such as: Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and more.
Finally, we will teach you how to use Copilot to clean data, create functions, and leverage the innovative capabilities of the AI-driven app, Copilot Loop. You'll also learn to create and deploy your own AI specialist, known as a Copilot Agent.
This course aims to introduce you to Microsoft Copilot, an innovative AI tool that assists in creating and managing files, sites and content with ease and efficiency. You will learn how to use Copilot effectively in various situations and contexts, such as writing emails, creating reports, designing presentations, analysing spreadsheets, cleaning data and collaborating with colleagues. Additionally, we will show you how to use Copilot to create functions in Excel, leverage the capabilities of the new AI-driven app—Copilot Loop, and develop your own AI specialist, the Copilot Agent.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- understand the concept, features, benefits, and limitations of Microsoft Copilot
- communicate with Copilot on the Web to request tone and format, seek comparisons and summaries, and perform sentiment analysis, keyword prominence, and topic clustering
- harness the power of Copilot Loop for seamless collaboration and dynamic content updates
- use Copilot Notebook for advanced, tailored, and detailed prompts, ask questions, get help, and revise answers
- use Copilot 365 to compose and analyse content within Microsoft applications, such as Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- collaborate with Copilot 365 alongside Microsoft tools, such as Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint libraries
- streamline the production of various types of files, such as forms, quizzes, reports, plans, lists, ideas, presentations, and agendas.
What is Microsoft Copilot
- An introduction of what is GenAI, Large Language Model (LLM) and Natural language processing (NLP)
- A brief discussion defining Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and AI tools in general
- When, where, and why to use Copilot
- Comparison of the benefits and limitations of each version of Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT
- A discussion regarding commercial and data protection
- Available addons
Working with your everyday AI companion – Copilot on the Web
- Effective communication to obtain the best results:
- Improving the accuracy of answers
- Providing context and background to improve accuracy and relevance
- Utilising follow-up questions
- Revising with additional information
- Summarising websites, intranet pages, and PDFs:
- Sentiment analysis: highlighting positive, negative, or neutral language
- Keyword prominence: identify keyword importance
- Topic clustering grouping related ideas into distinct topics
- An introduction to Loop pages and Copilot Page:
- What are Loop pages?
- Draft and add content with Microsoft 365 Copilot in Loop
- Recap changes in Loop with Copilot
- Summarise a page with Copilot in Loop
- How Loop is integrated with Copilot Chat
Working with your AI assistant at work – Copilot 365
- Word
- Use ‘prompts’ to reference, retrieve, and gain insights
- Draft new content: forms and quizzes
- Reference and analyse related documents to create new reports
- Summarise, ask questions, and instruct Copilot with commands
- Excel
- Use ‘prompts’ to reference, retrieve, and gain insights
- Get suggestions for formulas and charts
- Use Copilot to clean, format and transform data
- Create complex formulas using copilot
- PowerPoint
- Use ‘prompts’ to reference, retrieve, and gain insights
- Create new presentations from scratch, or from Word documents and PDFs
- Format with your organisation’s branding, themes, and templates
Using Copilot to collaborate
- Teams
- Meeting assistance
- Post-meeting recap
- Document integration
- Outlook
- Use ‘prompts’ to reference, retrieve, and gain insights
- Get coaching tips and suggestions on clarity, sentiment, and tone
- Summarise an email thread
- OneDrive
- Generate content summaries for files
- Compare files
- SharePoint
- Create a Copilot agent in SharePoint
- Write with Copilot in SharePoint rich text editor
Anyone interested in using Copilot to improve their productivity and communication would benefit from this course.
This course assumes little or no knowledge of Copilot. However, you should have an understanding of Microsoft Office 365, personal computers and the Windows operating system environment. If you do not have these skills, we recommend attending Microsoft Office with 365: Essentials before attempting this course.
Delivery modes
- Face-to-face, presenter-taught training in a computer lab
- Online training via the platform Zoom
Face-to-face classes
These classes run in a computer lab.
Online classes
You will need your own device. During class, you will be given temporary login details to access the paid version of Microsoft Copilot.
Course materials are shared electronically using Dropbox.
Additional information
Please note, this course covers features included in the paid version of Microsoft Copilot, which is different to the free version that comes with an Office 365 subscription.
View Microsoft Copilot Course: Your AI Virtual Assistant detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis HSC English preparation course focuses on English Advanced Module C: The Craft of Writing.
This one-day course provides:
- a comprehensive overview of the course requirements
- a review of the mandated general features of writing (allusion, imagery, narrative voice, characterisation and tone)
- an explanation of key vocabulary
- an analysis of relevant HSC questions, plus other NESA specimen questions
- explicit teaching of how language evokes emotion, in a selected group of texts from the prescribed list
- close analysis, individual activities, and group discussion on prescribed texts
- activities based upon the five required styles of writing (imaginative, discursive, persuasive, reflective, and informative).
This course is only suitable for students who will be in Year 12 in 2026. An updated HSC syllabus will be introduced in 2026, so the content is not suitable for students who will be in Year 11 in 2026.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- analyse and respond to the syllabus and prescriptions for the HSC Advanced English Module C: The Craft of Writing
- differentiate and respond in mandated styles of writing: discursive, persuasive, imaginative, reflective
- replicate and redeploy devices used in the prescribed texts within their own writing
- understand that key literary features (eg characterisation, voice, tone) include a sub-set of other elements
- make appropriate semantic choices to describe literary devices, stylistic choices or aesthetic features in their own or others' texts.
- Critical analysis of important language devices of significant, selected prescribed texts.
- Evaluation of the suitability of language forms, features and structure for different purposes, audiences, contexts and meanings.
- Experimentation with the strategic application of language devices in different contexts.
- Examination strategies for: question/stimulus analysis; anticipating and preparing for different types of question (eg ideas-focused, text-specific, or a specified literary device or stylistic feature); integrating the provided stimulus in the response; and scaffolding/structuring the response.
Year 12 HSC English Advanced students.
Small classes. Lecture and workshop style. Group discussion for interactive exploration of the texts and informed personal student responses. Students will also read and discuss sample HSC examination material provided by NESA.
A course booklet is provided electronically. Please bring along your own copy of the text.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) along with a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged, as access to power outlets is limited.
Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
References
NESA English Advanced Syllabus 2017
View HSC English Advanced Preparation Course - Module C: Craft of Writing details
EA 12-1, EA 12-2, EA 12-3, EA 12-4, EA 12-5, EA 12-6, EA 12-7, EA 12-8WaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis short course will extend your knowledge of Excel beyond Microsoft Excel: Level 1 and provide you with the skills and knowledge to produce more effective and productive workbooks. Learn essential functions as well as how to manage list data, cover formulas and function techniques, PivotTables, intricate formatting, setting complex printing options and using intricate charting features. Completion of this course provides sufficient knowledge to progress onto Microsoft Excel: Level 3.
We encourage you to use the CCE Excel level self-assessment tool if you are unsure which course level to enrol in.
This course aims to provide more experienced users with proficient skills in Excel’s three major strands: formulas, list management and charts, as well as providing tips to assist with best practice and efficiency.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- use the Autofill, Flash Fill and Text to Columns tools to fill a data series and separate data
- use a range of techniques to work with worksheets
- protect data in worksheets and workbooks
- use popular worksheet functions
- create more complex formulas and functions
- understand and use Formula Auditing tools
- create and work with Tables and Slicers
- understand and create simple Pivot Tables with a Slicer
- create and apply custom number formatting techniques to worksheet cells
- apply conditional formatting to cells
- understand and use Sparklines
- understand and use Excel's Quick Analysis tool
- use Goal Seek to determine the values required to reach a desired result
- use a range of Chart Elements to enhance charts.
Filling Data
- Create and modify a custom fill list
- Use a custom fill list
- Delete a custom fill list
- Extract data with Flash Fill
- More complex Flash Fill extractions
- Extract dates and numbers with Flash Fill
Worksheet Techniques
- Hide and unhide rows and columns
- Hide and unhide a worksheet
- Copy a sheet to another workbook
- Change worksheet tab colours
- Group worksheets for bulk changes
- Freeze rows and columns
Managing Lists with Tables
- Insert a table
- Rename a table
- Table styles
- Remove duplicate rows
- Sort and filter in tables
- Formulas in tables
- Add a total row
- Inserting or deleting in tables
- Table autoexpansion
- Slicers in tables
- Convert a table to a range
Essential Functions
- TEXT functions - UPPER, PROPER, CONCAT, TRIM
- COUNT functions - COUNT, COUNTA, COUNTIF
- IF functions – IF, IFS, SUMIF
- LOOKUP functions – VLOOKUP, XLOOKUP
- ROUND function – ROUND, ROUNDUP, ROUNDDOWN
- INT function
- Array functions – UNIQUE and SORT
- SUMIF
Complex Formulas
- Create Complex Formulas Using Nesting
- Line Breaks in Formulas
- Paste Link
- Store Formula as Text
- Formula Auditing Tools
Manage Columns and Rows
- Hiding Rows and Columns
- Unhiding Rows and Columns
- Hiding & Unhide sheets
- Grouping Worksheets
Understand Data Protection
- About Protection
- Preparing Cells for Data Entry
- Protect Sheet
- Unprotect Sheet
- Protect Workbook Structure
- Unprotect Workbook Structure
- Protect File
- Unprotect File
PivotTables
- Insert Pivot Table
- Switch Fields
- Change Calculation
- Apply a Style
- Filter
- Clear Filter
- Refresh
Number Formatting
- Date Formats
- Custom Formats
- Time Formats
- Calculated Time
Conditional Formatting
- Conditional Formatting
- Greater Than
- Top and Bottom Percentage
- Specific Text
- Data Bars
- Icon Sets
- Edit and Manage Conditional Formatting
- Clear Conditional Formatting
Sparklines
- About Sparklines
- Insert a Sparkline
- Copy Sparkline
- Editing Sparklines
- Deleting Sparklines
Quick Analysis
- Display Quick Analysis button
- Create Totals
- Create a Chart
Goal Seek
- About Goal Seek
- Use Goal Seek
Charts
- Add Chart Elements
- Edit Chart Elements
- Data Labels and Data Tables
- Trendlines
- Error Bars
- Format Pane
Designed for existing users of Excel who would like to expand their skills and knowledge and learn more of the techniques associated with creating better and more productive workbooks.
Assumes prior skill and knowledge required to create, edit, print and chart simple worksheets, as well as understand ranges and the copying process.
You should be also familiar with the basic functions of a computer operating system such as navigating the environment using a mouse and keyboard, starting applications, copying and pasting objects, formatting text, creating folders, opening and saving files, familiarity with accessing the Internet and web browsers.
Delivery modes
- Face-to-face, presenter-taught training
- Online training via the platform Zoom
Face-to-face classes (CCE, Newtown)
These classes run in a computer lab and you do not need to bring your own device.
Face-to-face classes (external venues including PARKROYAL, Cliftons and CBD)
These classes run in a classroom and you need to bring your own device.
Online classes
You will need your own device.
Course materials are provided electronically using Dropbox. Teaching instructions and materials are specifically tailored to Windows PC users.
Additional information
Recommended operating system: Windows or Mac
Recommended software for PC: MS Excel 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 or 365
Recommended software for Mac OS: MS Excel 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 or 365
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View Microsoft Excel Course: Level 2 detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis Power BI beginner course will provide you with the skills to tackle data modelling with confidence and improve your decision-making ability with this self-service business intelligence tool. You will learn how to link and model data and create visual reports that reveal data insights. We will show you how to create dashboards for reporting, create a data visualisation, connect to data sources, use the query editor, model data and manage relationships.
The Power BI desktop client will be the primary focus but an introduction to the Power BI web app is also covered. For anyone interested in business intelligence and wanting to improve their reporting and analytical abilities, this Power BI training course is ideal.
We want to empower you to confidently use the Power BI tool. We aim to give you the ability to create useful data visualisations that improve your business intelligence and your ability to make data-driven decisions.
By the end of this Microsoft Power BI training course, you should be able to:
- navigate between different Power BI tools and their functionality
- build informative reports and dashboards
- work confidently with and create a variety of data visualisations
- work with measures
- create, edit and format interactive visuals
- create multiple levels of filters
- create and use custom slicers
- feature and favourite dashboards.
This Microsoft Power BI course will cover the following topics:
Introducing Power BI
- An Introduction to Microsoft Power BI
- Working with Power BI desktop file
- Connecting to data sources with Power BI Desktop
- Creating a report with visualisations
- Doing more with visualisations
Working with data
- Transforming and sanitising data
- Using the Query Editor
- Data modelling
- Managing relationships
Working with reports and visualisations
- Managing report pages
- Changing report view options
- Working with visualisations
- Adding static objects to a report
- Page navigation
A closer look at visualisations
- Matrices, tables, and charts
- Maps
- Cards, gauges, and KPIs
- Slicers
- Sparklines
Introduction to the Power BI web app
- Getting started with the Power BI web app
- Connecting to data sources with the Power BI web app
- Using workspaces, dashboards, and reports
- Creating custom dashboards
- Power BI web app features
This Microsoft Power BI training course is suitable for:
- Anyone who wants to get the most out of their data and reporting
- Excel users wanting to upgrade their reporting capabilities
- Data Analysts and those performing data analysis, data modelling or data visualisation
- Database Administrators
- Project Managers and those working in project management
- Financial Analysts
- Marketers
No prior knowledge of programming languages is required for this Power BI course. It is recommended that you be comfortable with the learning outcomes equivalent to our Microsoft Excel Course: Level 1.
Delivery modes
- Face-to-face, presenter-taught training
- Online training via the platform Zoom
Face-to-face classes (CCE, Newtown)
These Microsoft Power BI courses run in a computer lab and you do not need to bring your own device.
Face-to-face classes (external venues including PARKROYAL, Cliftons and CBD)
These Microsoft Power BI courses run in a classroom and you need to bring your own device with a Windows operating system.
Online classes
You will need your own device with a Windows operating system. Power BI Desktop only runs on a Windows operating system.
A course workbook and exercise files are distributed electronically using Dropbox.
Before the course
Please ensure Power BI Desktop is installed on your device before class. It can be downloaded from the Microsoft Website. Recommended minimum version – July 2022.
You will be provided with a login to Power BI pro – the cloud application. However, you can choose to use your own Power BI pro license if you have one.
<a href="https://ish-oncourse-cce-main.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/8426d8ef-9a66-4561-ab7a-0c8c991e7fe0" class="js-course-brochure u-display-none">Course Brochure</a>
View Power BI Course: Introduction detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listAre you excited, curious or concerned about the impact AI might have on your job? Whether you're new to AI or have been experimenting for a while, this course will teach you practical ways to apply ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini to your writing, marketing and related business processes.
If writing is part of your job in any industry, AI tools can make your work easier. When you understand how to use them properly, you’ll be able to work and communicate faster, better and more effectively by:
- automating time-consuming tasks and processes
- overcoming writer's block and blank page paralysis
- saving hours of research, analysis and writing time
- creating high-quality short and long content in seconds
- producing personalised messages to customers and colleagues.
This one-day introductory course provides a practical introduction to AI writing tools, with a focus on ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini, and how to use them to improve your business and marketing communications.
The aims of this course are to give you the knowledge and skills to use ChatGPT, Gemini, and other AI tools to achieve your business communications goals, and help you become a better, faster, and more confident business and marketing writer.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- understand the basics of ChatGPT and other AI tools
- describe the benefits and limitations of ChatGPT/AI
- use ChatGPT/AI to create powerful and effective written communications
- use ChatGPT/AI to effectively to save time and improve the quality of your writing
- discuss various helpful and powerful AI communications tools.
Topics:
Introduction to AI writing tools
- Overview of AI writing tools and their impact on business communications
- Benefits of using AI writing tools for professionals and admin staff
Understanding ChatGPT and LLMs
- Overview and features
- How it works and its applications in business communications
- Limitations and considerations
Getting started with ChatGPT and Gemini
- Setup and use
- Understanding the basics of the interface
- Fun and practical exercises
Best practices for using ChatGPT/AI in business communications
- Powerful and effective prompts
- Writing styles and tone in business communications
- Improving the accuracy and relevance of outputs
- Common use cases in business communications
Advanced techniques for using ChatGPT/AI
- Customisation for specific use cases
- Fine-tuning for improved accuracy and relevance
- Best practices for maintaining and updating
Other AI communications tools
- Best AI Writers for different needs
- Amazing AI tools for video, images, productivity and more
Content types:
Emails
- Writing effective and professional emails with ChatGPT
- Automatic responses, follow-ups, and personalised email templates
- Tips for crafting engaging subject lines and email content
Articles, reports and presentations
- Outlining long form content with ChatGPT
- Writing unique, interesting and valuable articles
- How to use ChatGPT/AI to help write and summarise reports, presentations and other content
Letters
- Writing formal and informal letters with ChatGPT/AI
- Sales letters, cover letters, job application letters, and customer service letters
- Best practices for formatting and structuring letters with ChatGPT/AI
Marketing
- Common uses for ChatGPT/AI - product descriptions, web and print copy, blogs, social media posts, email marketing campaigns
- Overview of creating effective marketing content and copy
- Creating headlines, body copy and calls-to-action
This course is suitable for:
- Business professionals and admin staff
- Copywriters and content writers
- Small business owners
- anyone who wants to write better, faster and more effectively in business.
None
Delivery modes
- Face-to-face, presenter taught workshop using your own device
- Online workshop via the platform Zoom
The course is practical and hands-on, with exercises and real-world examples to help you develop an understanding of ChatGPT and how it can be used in your work.
Course materials are distributed electronically using Dropbox.
Additional information
Please bring a laptop to class in order to access the course learning materials, and join ChatGPT prior to class (choose the free version or the more reliable paid version).
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View Beginner AI Course: Using ChatGPT, Perplexity and Gemini for Business and Marketing Writing detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis Microsoft Excel short course will help you improve the way you manage and present information, and take the legwork out of calculations and data manipulation. It provides the skills and knowledge necessary to create and manage workbooks, and covers topics including adding data, editing data, working with formulas, managing list data, printing and charting. It is an ideal introductory course before progressing to Microsoft Excel Course: Level 2.
We encourage you to use the CCE Excel level self-assessment tool if you're unsure which course level to enrol in.
This course aims to provide new Excel users with a foundation knowledge of Excel’s core features such as formulas, formatting, navigation, printing and creating charts.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- navigate your way around Excel
- create and work with a new workbook
- open and navigate within workbooks and worksheets
- understand and work with ranges in a worksheet
- understand, create and work with formulas and functions used to perform calculations
- copy and paste data
- understand and use formula cell referencing
- use font formatting techniques
- align the contents of cells
- format rows and columns in a worksheet
- understand and use the number formatting features
- sort and fliter list data
- print workbook data
- create effective charts.
Getting to know Excel – The Excel screen, Ribbon and Toolbars
- Start Excel
- Understand the Start Screen
- Understand Excel terminology
- Understand and Navigate the Excel Workbook Screen
- Use and Customise the Quick Access Toolbar
- Understand and use the Ribbon
- Understand and use Contextual tabs
- Dialogue Box Launchers
- Live Preview
- Undo and Redo Changes
- Customise the Quick Access toolbar to store favourite buttons
- Use Shortcut menus
- Recognise mouse shapes and their functionality
Your first Workbook
- Create Your First Workbook
- Types of Data
- Enter Data
- Move Data
- Selecting Cells
- Editing Data
- Autocalculate
- Delete versus Clear
- Spellcheck
- Save Your Workbook
Working with workbooks
- Open a Workbook
- Move Between Worksheets
- Save a Workbook
- Close a Workbook
Formulas
- Create Simple Formulas
- View Formulas
- Problems with Formulas
- Delete Formulas
- SUM function
- Copying Formulas
- AVERAGE, COUNT, MIN, MAX Functions
- BODMAS
- Edit Formulas
Absolute References
- Understanding Absolute References
- Types of Absolute References
- Applying Absolute References
Filling Data
- Autofill
- Flash Fill
Formatting
- Formatting Numbers
- Formatting Dates
- Formatting Text
- Cell Alignment
- Borders
- Format Painter
Manage Worksheets
- Adjust Columns and Row Sizes
- Insert and Delete Columns and Rows
- Insert Cells
- Insert Sheets
- Move and Copy Sheets
- Delete Sheets
Manage Lists, Sort and Filter
- List Guidelines
- Sort Lists
- Filter Lists
- Freeze Titles
Printing
- Print Preview
- Page Setup
- Partial Printing
- Orientation, Margins and Scaling
- Manage Larger Printouts
- Page Numbering
Charts
- Understand Charting
- Create Charts
- Resize and Move charts
- Chart Styles
- Add and Edit Chart Elements
- Keyboard shorts for Instant Charts
Help
- Accessing Help
- Search the Menus
Best Practice – 5 Golden Rules
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Suitable for beginners. Assumes little or no knowledge of Microsoft Excel.
You should be familiar with the basic functions of a computer operating system such as navigating the environment using a mouse and keyboard, starting applications, copying and pasting objects, formatting text, creating folders, opening files, saving files, familiarity with the accessing the Internet and use of common web browsers.
Delivery modes
- Face-to-face, presenter-taught training
- Online training via the platform Zoom
Face-to-face classes (CCE, Newtown)
These classes run in a computer lab and you do not need to bring your own device.
Face-to-face classes (external venues including PARKROYAL and CBD)
These classes run in a classroom and you need to bring your own device.
Online classes
You will need your own device.
Course materials are provided electronically using Dropbox. Teaching instructions and materials are specifically tailored to Windows PC users.
Additional information
Recommended operating system: Windows or Mac
Recommended software for PC: MS Excel 2013, 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 or 365
Recommended software for Mac OS: MS Excel 2016, 2019, 2021, 2024 or 365
Recommended browser: Chrome<a href="https://ish-oncourse-cce-main.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/03464206-4946-41b1-b769-7b6802af71d0" class="js-course-brochure u-display-none">Course Brochure</a>
View Microsoft Excel Course: Level 1 detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis two-day Essay Writing course focuses on the essay form and related critical thinking, language and punctuation skills for students in Years 10 - 12. The course is relevant to a range of subjects that require the writing of essays for assignments and exams.
We will study how to structure essays, organise ideas and information, and write in appropriate language for assignments and exam essays. There will be an analysis of the essay form and the need for an organised, logical argument with evidence and analytic discussion of the evidence. This will include a focus on appropriate language, rhetoric and punctuation as well as study of the nature of a formal voice, appropriate educated vocabulary for different courses, and the range from a formal to a more conversational voice. Sophisticated punctuation is introduced as a mode of complex thinking. The sections on the body of the essay focus on critical thinking and argument as a combination of a sequence of ideas, evidence and extended analytic comment about evidence.
This will be followed by an overview of the traditional structure of introduction, body and conclusion. The course then provides an introduction to critical thinking and argument in relation to Bloom’s taxonomy and syllabus outcomes and questions and marking guidelines for examinations in New South Wales.
There will be detailed teacher presentation and student discussion and practice writing the introduction, body and conclusion of an essay on a topic of their own choice. Your writing will be reviewed individually in one-on-one sessions, with the teacher providing advice about your individual work as well as the form of the essay. The discussion of the body and the related practice writing includes special focus on making connections between ideas, evidence and different texts, areas and authorities (synthesis).
The timing of research and writing is explored throughout the course and stressed in the discussion of the essay conclusion, along with the fact that an appropriate conclusion is essential, and with guidance about to how write a successful conclusion.
Throughout the course, students are advised about the importance of genuine interest in order to write genuinely interesting essays. Discussion of related examination material – including examination papers and high-ranking English essays - provided by NESA further supports individual student responses and individual student practice in writing essays.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- plan and structure an essay in relation to a research assignment or examination question and with awareness of the significance of learning for any essay
- write an essay with an introduction, body and conclusion
- write an essay with a focus on critical thinking and a sustained argument that combines ideas, evidence and analytic exploration of evidence in relation to the development of the argument
- write an essay with the advantage of analysis and discussion of Bloom’s taxonomy and its relation to advanced critical thinking, syllabus requirements and examination standards, including making connections between parts of texts, between texts, and between areas of knowledge and learning (synthesis)
- develop appropriate vocabulary, rhetoric and punctuation in a formal and individual written style suitable for essays and subjects in Stages 5 and 6
- respond to research essays and examination essays with appropriate discussion and practice about the importance of timing
- develop a focus on individual responses and essays written in an individual, educated voice
- write essays with understanding of NESA syllabus and prescription requirements, marking guidelines and previous exam answers
- improve essay writing across a wide range of ability and a high level of achievement
- analyse and respond to NESA material about syllabus and prescription requirements, and previous examination questions and essays.
- Planning an essay in relation to a research or examination question and in relation to the importance of knowledge and learning for an essay
- Discussion, analysis and written practice of the structure of an essay in relation to the introduction, body and conclusion
- Discussion, analysis and written practice in critical thinking and the development of a sustained argument that combines ideas, evidence and analytic exploration of evidence in relation to the development of the argument
- Discussion and written application of Bloom’s taxonomy in relation to essay writing, including use and discussion of evidence and synthesis, and in relation to examination standards
- Discussion and written practice about a formal essay voice and appropriate vocabulary, rhetoric and punctuation, including focus on sophisticated punctuation as a mode of complex critical thinking
- Discussion and written practice in relation to NESA syllabus and prescription requirements, marking guidelines and previous exam answers combined with advice about exam conditions and timing
- Advice about successful essays based on HSC marking experience
- Teacher reading and advice about students’ essay writing in order to define individual areas for improvement and strengths
Students in Years 10-12 English and other essay based courses.
A combination of tutor presentation, group discussion, reading and writing practice and facilitator advice about your writing. You should be prepared for interactive learning and should bring your own “fully charged device”, plus writing materials. Senior students who have access to self-selected school texts should bring them along for practice essay writing. Online activities will supplement learning activities.
You will be provided with a course booklet (electronic copy) using Dropbox which includes previous examination questions and answers.
Bring your own device
You are required to bring your own device (Windows or Mac) and a power cord. Please ensure your device is fully charged as access to power is limited.
Please note that University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
References
NESA English Advanced Syllabus 2017
EA12-1, EA12-2, EA12-3, EA12-4, EA12-5, EA12-6, EA12-7, EA12-8, EA12-9<div class="course-meta-content hide" style="display: none;"><span class="js-course-meta-title">Years 10-12 HSC Essay Writing Course - Exam preparation</span><span class="js-course-meta-description">Enrol in a two-day essay writing course for Years 10-12. Develop an in-depth understanding of essay form, critical thinking, language & punctuation skills. Face-to-face in Sydney. Enrol now.</span></div>
View Years 10-12 Course: Essay Writing detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis course empowers non-financial managers and other professionals with essential financial literacy and decision-making skills. By providing a comprehensive understanding of financial concepts, budgeting techniques, and analytical tools, participants will be better equipped to contribute to their organisation's financial success. Ultimately, this knowledge will enhance their ability to make informed, strategic decisions that positively impact their departments and the overall business.
This one-day course provides an introduction to the concepts underlying external financial accounting and internal management accounting. You will be introduced to the skills necessary to prepare, interpret and analyse financial statements, including balance sheet, profit and loss statements. You will gain an insight into how your business decisions impact the financial reports of your company. We will also cover budgeting, costing and key performance indicators, and clarify the often misunderstood area of accrual accounting.
This course should enable you to:
- utilise key financial terms and concepts
- analyse the 3 key financial statements – Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement
- forecast and prepare budgets
- calculate financial ratios for evaluating the health of the organisation
- calculate variances and recommend corrective action for achieving a budget.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- recognise why accrual accounting is commonly used in business
- appreciate the rationale for depreciation and amortisation of assets
- interpret a Profit and Loss Statement, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement
- assess the financial health of a business using financial ratios
- prepare forecasts and set budgets for sales, costs and expenses using a range of methods
- calculate variances and recommend corrective action for achieving a budget.
Financial terminology and concepts
- Income and expenses
- Assets, liabilities and equity
The basis for accrual accounting
- Accrual accounting versus cash accounting
- End of period recording of accruals and prepayments
Financial management of assets
- Use of depreciation
- Difference between depreciation and amortisation
Financial statements
- Interpretation of P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow Statement
- Calculation of key financial ratios
- Interpretation of the health of a business using financial ratios
Financial forecasting
- Use of history, market conditions and the Delphi method
- Forecasting for sales, costs and expenses
Budgeting
- Budgeting for an organisation
- Defining and budgeting or profit centre, cost centres and for projects
Calculating and acting on variances
- How to calculate a variance
- Correcting for unfavourable variances
- Generating an estimate of likely performance compared to the budget
Suitable for managers, team leaders, board members or individuals from a non-financial background who wish to develop their competencies for understanding their organisations' financial statements and structures.
Course examples will be provided to cater for attendees from all sectors – commercial, not-for-profit and government – indeed the course is designed to meet the needs of anyone who needs to interpret financial data in a work or board setting to assist with their decision-making.
Delivery modes
- Face-to-face, presenter-taught workshop
- Online workshop via the platform Zoom
Delivered as an interactive workshop which includes lectures, group exercises and discussion.
Course materials are distributed electronically using Dropbox.
<a href="https://ish-oncourse-cce-main.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/5089294a-9272-417a-94fe-2e983715673e" class="js-course-brochure u-display-none">Course Brochure</a>
View Finance Course for the Non-Financial Manager detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listThis English pronunciation course will give you the confidence and ability to communicate clearly in the workplace – ensuring your unique perspective and experience is heard and valued.
Overseas-born professionals bring vital diversity to a workplace, but sometimes you may struggle to get your message across due to your accent and the inherent difficulties of English pronunciation. This course aims to help you communicate effectively by minimising obstacles which may sometimes arise not only from the way you speak, but also from how others perceive the way you speak.
Through our interactive workshops focusing on speech sounds, intonation and social context, you will improve your communicative confidence and reinforce your professional capabilities.
By the end of this course, you should have acquired the knowledge and tools to continue addressing, practising and improving your pronunciation skills. Additionally, you should be able to:
- manipulate your vocal tract to correctly form individual phonemes (consonants and vowels)
- link sounds with timing for improved speech rhythm
- express yourself more efficiently and persuasively with meaningful use of intonation and stress
- self-monitor and self-correct your own pronunciation skills
- identify speech patterns and nuances particular to Australian speakers
- communicate with Australian-born professionals with improved confidence.
Introduction to various elements of pronunciation, and discussion of individual needs and objectives
- Segmental and suprasegmental aspects of pronunciation
- The importance of pronunciation for overseas-born professionals
- Individual needs and objectives
- Phonemes and sounds in isolation – consonants
Intonation: Rising and falling speech patterns and inflection
- Voice and vocal quality
- Summary of the group's needs and objectives
- Intonation: rising and falling speech patterns
- Intonation: inflection
- Sounds in isolation – consonants
Rhythm – word and sentence stress
- Understanding syllables and syllable stress
- Word and sentence stress
- Rhythm
- Sounds in isolation – consonants
Linking in connected speech
- Connected speech: linking and sound mergers
- Sounds in isolation – consonants
Vowels – monophthongs
- Volume
- Australian voices
- Chunking
- Sounds in isolation – vowels (monophthongs)
Vowels - diphthongs
- Sounds in isolation – vowels (diphthongs)
- Summing it all up
- Suggestions for self-study
Suitable for advanced second-language English speakers who have a high level vocabulary and grammar knowledge.
This course does not provide instruction in grammar, writing, spelling or comprehension.
Delivery modes
- Face-to-face, presenter-taught workshop
- Online workshop via the platform Zoom
Presented in an actively engaging way, combining presenter explanation, instruction and demonstration, as well as interactive discussions, group work and pair work activities. Active participation is highly encouraged and beneficial.
Materials
Course materials are provided electronically using Dropbox
<a href="https://ish-oncourse-cce-main.s3.ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/2b896191-b715-452f-89c1-d6a69d70f1b1" class="js-course-brochure u-display-none">Course Brochure</a>
View English Pronunciation Course for Overseas-Born Professionals detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting listTake the next step with our project management master class for project managers looking to build out their stable of skills. In this course, you will learn the technical aspects of project management, people management and how to scope and initiate a project.
This course offers an in-depth view of project scoping from business case to the realisation of benefits. Work collaboratively to develop the suite of deliverables required to baseline, monitor and control your project scope.
This course aims to provide a structured approach to the effective initiation and scoping of a project. You will develop your knowledge and skills to set up your projects for success in the initiation and planning phases. The course also aims to further develop your technical project management skills and people management skills.
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
- build a project team
- empower individuals and teams to get the best results including creating an environment for psychological safety
- apply different leadership styles to suit different project phases and contexts
- develop communication, facilitation and negotiation skills to more effectively engage with people
- develop an awareness of psychological models and EQ Frameworks for consideration in future professional development
- allocate work to resources
- apply scheduling tools, including defining your critical path
- apply estimation techniques to define a project budget and schedule
- prepare a project cost estimate and budget
- describe earned value management techniques to develop an integrated baseline and track progress, performance and forecast completion date and cost
- apply risk management techniques and integrate risk treatments into the project plan
- analyse a business case and benefits as inputs to the project scope
- develop a project charter, including definition of benefits, objectives, success measures and deliverables
- identify stakeholders to define a project scope
- meaningfully engage with stakeholders to define fitness for purpose and develop requirements in a quality plan
- develop a WBS, scope statement, requirements traceability matrix, configuration management
- ensure requirements flow through to statement of work through appropriate procurement strategies
- apply integrated change control methods to control or change scope after project commencement
- describe the role of projects in supporting benefits realisation at a program, portfolio and organisational level.
Part 1: Scoping a project
Strategy & business benefits
- Context and business benefits or outcomes
Initiating a project
- Preparing the project scope statement
- Aligning scope with strategy and benefits
- Identifying and engaging stakeholders
Develop scope & requirements
- Scoping terminology and approaches to scoping
- Developing a work breakdown structure
- Developing requirements, including traceability matrix and configuration management
- Delivering on requirements using a quality plan
- Developing a procurement plan that will deliver on desired scope
Controlling changes to scope
- Integrated change control approaches
Part 2: Technical skills
Planning a project
- Preparing a project WBS, budget and schedule
- Estimation techniques
- Identifying, recording and evaluating risks
- Building risk treatments and contingency into your project plan
Monitoring and controlling a project
- Measuring project performance
- Integrated performance baseline
- Effective status reports
Even more
- Tips for project success, including what not to do
- Exploring advanced tools, beyond the course
Part 3: Forming and leading teams
Forming and leading teams
- Team roles that may exist on your projects
- Building a team with targeted interventions
- Adaptive leadership approaches
- Embracing diversity on projects
Leading others
- Personality traits, learning styles and leadership styles
- Adaptive approaches for effective stakeholder engagement
- International standards for leadership and emotional intelligence
Managing relationships
- Stakeholder analysis techniques, including network thinking, stakeholder dynamics and relationships
- Tailoring communications for audience and purpose
- Facilitation techniques for running effective meetings and workshops
- Negotiation techniques and conflict resolution
- Project Managers
- The 'accidental' Project Manager
- Team members and subject matter experts involved in projects
- Anyone interested in project management
- Anyone wanting to be more organised in their work
- Current and aspiring business leaders
Some familiarity with project management.
Before the course
Please complete the Communication and Learning Styles Questionnaire using the PDF document below.
Communication and Learning Styles Questionnaire
Please note, the results from this questionnaire are important to parts of the course and must be completed prior to completion of the Forming and leading teams component of this course.
This three-day course focuses on experiential learning. Content is broken into 10-15 minute blocks and immediately followed by group activities where the theory is put into action.
A range of interactive methods will be used including:
- storytelling and the use of professional examples to exhibit concepts
- self-reflection and group discussions
- case studies where the concepts are actively applied
- individual and team activities and presentations
- suggested readings for after training.
You will receive:
- online course materials (using Dropbox) with case study activities
- an online project management toolkit with templates
- a Statement of Completion.
In order to access online course materials (using Dropbox), we recommend that you bring your own device (Windows or Mac) to class. You should ensure your device is fully charged as access to power is limited. Please note that the University does not carry any responsibility for your lost, stolen, or damaged devices whilst on the University premises.
View Project Management Course: The Master Class detailsWaitlistJoin the waiting list to be notified when a new class becomes available.Join the waiting list
