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Skills for the Electronic Workplace (SEW)


Background Information

The courses in the "Skills for the Electronic Workplace" (SEW) program are designed to teach recommended computing skills to uWaterloo staff. Faculty are most welcome too. Many of the courses are hands-on. A selection of courses are offered every two months except for the months of July and August.

Information about registration for the SEW courses can be directed to Mark Lisetto-Smith at extension 38257. Information about the SEW program courses can be directed to Pat Lafranier at extension 36433.

Benefits of the Program

  • offers standard courses at various levels.
  • makes it easier for staff to choose courses to take.
  • helps ensure staff have the prequisites necessary to take courses.
  • provides more in-depth training. The first part of many courses will be used to demonstrate and practise the skills necessary to complete various tasks. The second part for some courses, will be project oriented.
  • provides easy access to course handouts and projects. All of this information will be available on the Web.
  • implements a registration system that will discourage people from missing courses they have registered for.
  • provides you and your manager with your current professional development record in myhrinfo.

Format of the Courses

Many of courses consist of demonstration and hands-on practise in a computer lab. During the second part of some courses, a project will be worked on. Instructors will be available as needed to complete the project. Some of the courses are presentation style and do not have hands-on practise.

SEW Handouts

The handouts and sample files for most of the SEW courses can be found on SharePoint. Use your WatIAM account and password to sign in, and then click on "SEW Handouts" in the left panel.

NEW as of September 2011: As part of our IT green initiatives at uWaterloo no longer will printed handouts be provided for presentation-style courses (ie. in MC 2009). All registrants will have the option to print their own handouts for the course. The registrant also has the option to download the handout to a portable device (ie. laptop) to view and make electronic notes.A reminder will be emailed 48 hours before the course with a link to the handout(s).


Last updated August 19, 2011.