ICAICT203A Operate application software packages

Release: 1

ICAICT203A Operate application software packages

Modification History

Version	Comments
ICAICT203A	This version first released with ICA11 Information and Communications Technology Training Package version 1.0

Unit Descriptor

This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to identify, select and operate three commercial software packages, including a word-processing and a spreadsheet application package.

The unit identifies the requirement to use a word-processing, spreadsheet and third software application package to ensure that the individual develops the skills required to cover a range of basic office software requirements.

Application of the Unit

This unit applies to information and communications technology (ICT) personnel who need to use several different software applications to produce diverse documents within a small to large office environment.

The ability to use and present a variety of key software application packages is a key component of any ICT business or office environment.

Licensing/Regulatory Information

No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of endorsement but users should confirm requirements with the relevant federal, state or territory authority.

Pre-Requisites

Not applicable.

Employability Skills Information

This unit contains employability skills.

Elements and Performance Criteria Pre-Content

Element	Performance Criteria
Elements describe the essential outcomes of a unit of competency.	Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the required skills and knowledge section and the range statement. Assessment of performance is to be consistent with the evidence guide.

Elements and Performance Criteria

1. Use appropriate OHS office work practices	1.1 Use safe work practices to ensure ergonomic, work organisation, energy and resource conservation requirements are addressed 1.2 Use wrist rests and document holders where appropriate 1.3 Use monitor anti-glare and radiation reduction screens where appropriate
2. Use appropriate word-processing software	2.1 Select word-processing software appropriate to perform activity 2.2 Identify document purpose, audience and presentation requirements, and clarify with personnel as required 2.3 Identify organisational requirements for text-based business documents and design document structure and layout to ensure consistency of style and image 2.4 Match document requirements with software functions to provide efficient production of documents 2.5 Use technical functions, other data and formatting to finalise documents 2.6 Ensure the naming and storing of documents in appropriate directories or folders and the printing of documents to the required specifications
3. Use appropriate spreadsheet software	3.1 Select spreadsheet software appropriate to perform activity 3.2 Identify document purpose, audience and presentation requirements, and clarify with personnel as required 3.3 Enter simple formulas and functions using cell referencing where required 3.4 Customise spreadsheet settings to meet requirements 3.5 Ensure the naming and storing of documents in appropriate directories or folders and the printing of documents to the required specifications
4. Use a third application software package	4.1 Select software application package appropriate to perform activity 4.2 Identify purpose, audience and presentation requirements, and clarify with personnel as required 4.3 Use technical functions, other data and formatting to finalise documents 4.4 Ensure documents are named and stored in appropriate directories or folders and printed to required specifications

Required Skills and Knowledge

This section describes the skills and knowledge required for this unit.

Required skills

communication skills to:

communicate with peers and supervisors

seek assistance and expert advice

literacy skills to:

interpret user manuals and help functions

read and write basic workplace documents

numeracy skills to enter simple formulas into spreadsheet

problem-solving skills to manage applications and use help functions

technical skills to:

operate a personal computer (PC) and printer

operate a keyboard to enter text and numerical data

use application software packages.

Required knowledge

application software packages used by the organisation

basic technical terminology related to reading help files and responding to system help prompts

basic knowledge of system usage

current business practices related to using software to prepare reports

features and functions of commercial computing packages

import and export software functions

linking documents

OHS principles and responsibilities for ergonomics, such as work periods and breaks

purpose, use and functions of applications

use of input and output devices.

Evidence Guide

The evidence guide provides advice on assessment and must be read in conjunction with the performance criteria, required skills and knowledge, range statement and the Assessment Guidelines for the Training Package.

Overview of assessment
Critical aspects for assessment and evidence required to demonstrate competency in this unit	Evidence of the ability to: produce workplace documents using a minimum of three different software application packages open, amend and save files and documents according to organisational requirements use OHS principles and responsibilities for ergonomics, such as work periods and breaks use help manuals and online help.
Context of and specific resources for assessment	Assessment must ensure access to: use of PC and printer use of software currently used in industry documents detailing organisational style guide and policy documents or information containing data suitable for developing software application documents appropriate learning and assessment when required. Where applicable, physical resources should include equipment modified for people with special needs.
Method of assessment	A range of assessment methods should be used to assess practical skills and knowledge. The following examples are appropriate for this unit: verbal or written questioning to assess candidate’s knowledge of OHS, application usage for specific tasks, and use of different application functions direct observation of candidate using a minimum of three different software applications review of workplace documents prepared by candidate demonstrating a wide range of features from different software application packages.
Guidance information for assessment	Holistic assessment with other units relevant to the industry sector, workplace and job role is recommended, where appropriate. Assessment processes and techniques must be culturally appropriate, and suitable to the communication skill level, language, literacy and numeracy capacity of the candidate and the work being performed. Indigenous people and other people from a non-English speaking background may need additional support. In cases where practical assessment is used it should be combined with targeted questioning to assess required knowledge.

Range Statement

The range statement relates to the unit of competency as a whole. It allows for different work environments and situations that may affect performance. Bold italicised wording, if used in the performance criteria, is detailed below. Essential operating conditions that may be present with training and assessment (depending on the work situation, needs of the candidate, accessibility of the item, and local industry and regional contexts) may also be included.

Ergonomic, work organisation, energy and resource conservation requirements may include:	avoiding radiation from computer screens chair height, seat and back adjustment document holder equipment that is reasonably adjusted to meet personal needs, in appropriate circumstances exercise breaks footrest keyboard and mouse position lighting mix of repetitive and other activities noise minimisation posture rest periods screen position workstation height and layout.
Word-processing software may include:	Apple iWork Microsoft Word Open Office.
Document may include:	captions different odd and even pages document protection drawing hyperlinks linked and embedded objects mail-merge data documents master documents MS WordArt templates.
Organisational requirements may include:	company colour scheme company logo consistent corporate image content restrictions established guidelines and procedures for document production house styles observing copyright legislation organisation name, time, date, document title and filename in header or footer templates.
Document structure and layout may include:	annotated references borders boxes bullet or number lists captions colour columns consistency with other business documents cropping drawing footnotes endnotes graphics headings indentations layout page numbers position related to other text size spacings typeface styles and point size.
Technical functions, other data and formatting may include:	alignment clip art comments data from other software applications digital photographs digital signatures display features embedding exporting fields fills or shading formulas graphics importing lines and borders linking merge cells page and section breaks permissions reviewing sharing sort criteria sorting contents split cell table of contents templates text direction versioning.
Naming and storing documents may include:	authorised access filenames according to organisational procedure filenames that are easily identifiable related to the content file or directory names which identify the operator, author, section and date filing locations organisational policy for backing up files and filing hard copies of documents security storage in folders and sub-folders storage on: hard disk drives CD-ROM tape backup.
Printing may include:	comments drawing objects field codes hidden text print merge print to file to fit a specific number of pages.
Spreadsheet software may include:	Apple iWorks, such as Numbers Gnumeric Microsoft Excel Open Office.
Simple formulas and functions may include:	addition conditional logic conditional summation division lookup multiplication subtraction summation application of the above to a series of cells.
Spreadsheet settings may include:	cell alignment charts font settings formatting tools graphics objects page layout print share simple formulas and functions sort toolbars views worksheets.
Software application package may include:	database email graphics spreadsheet word processing.
Technical functions may include:	animations arranging slides charts customising masters illustrations linking content sharing SmartArt tables.

Unit Sector(s)

General ICT

Custom Content Section

Not applicable.