These are broad category descriptions of the various areas addressed by the competencies, the lessons, and the assessments.

Category A: Computer Operations

Using the operating system and user environment of a personal computer, the student will be able to perform basic computer functions that are fundamental to all aspects of computing.

Category B: Keyboarding

Using a personal computer or a keyboarding device, students will be able to touch type with acceptable speed and accuracy.

Category C: Word Processing

Using a full featured word-processing application, students will be able to create a well formatted, grammatically correct document that meets the basic requirements of a business letter, report or major research project.

Category D: Database

Using a full featured database application, students will be able to create a basic database to organize and analyze a given set of descriptive information. Students will also be able to create a report from a given data set designed to find and present specific information according to set search criteria.

Category E: Spreadsheets

Using a full featured spreadsheet application, students will be able to create a basic spreadsheet to organize and analyze a given set of numerical information. Students will also be able to create a chart from a given data set showing a graphical analysis of that information.

Category F: Drawing

Using a full featured drawing program, students will be able to create and modify object-oriented computer drawings.

Category G: Painting

Using a full featured paint program, students will be able to create or enhance a computer drawing that utilizes colors, patterns and shapes, modify it and include it in a document.

Category H: Presentations and Multimedia

Utilizing a variety of technologies, students will be able to construct and present a variety of multimedia presentations designed to enhance their personal ability to inform, document for, debate, persuade, predict for, report to, or entertain a designated audience.

Category J: Page Layout

Utilizing software that provides page layout capabilities, students will be able to incorporate multiple types of objects, and format and control breaks, pagination and columns in various types of documents.

Category K: E-mail

Using a standard telecommunications package, students will be able to perform basic electronic mail functions that permit efficient electronic communications with others around the world.

Category L: WWW

Students will be able to access and utilize the world wide web as an information resource, create a basic web page and move a web file to a server.