Computers & Technology   

Dr. West offers an inviting glimpse into the transformative world of Deep Learning, a branch of artificial intelligence that surpasses the traditional limitations of Expert Systems. Instead of relying on rigid IF-THEN-ELSE rules, Deep Learning models are designed to learn from vast amounts of data, much like humans learn from their experiences. This dynamic approach allows the models to adapt and discover patterns that might otherwise be overlooked, leading to innovative solutions across a wide range of applications.

This is the first step in understanding the differences and similarities between the various types of artificial intelligence systems and their appropriate applications. Through this workshop, you will develop a basic understanding of how these systems function so that you can intelligently communicate with your peers and your technical staff in developing twenty-first-century solutions. This not only enriches your knowledge, but also opens doors to lucrative career opportunities in one of computer science’s most powerful and rapidly evolving realms.

This course builds on the foundational and intermediate knowledge presented in the Microsoft® Excel® for Office 365™ (Desktop or Online): Part 1 and Microsoft® Excel® for Office 365™ (Desktop or Online): Part 2 courses to help you get the most of your Excel experience. The ability to collaborate with colleagues, automate complex or repetitive tasks, and use conditional logic to construct and apply elaborate formulas and functions will put the full power of Excel right at your fingertips. The more you learn about how to get Excel to do the hard work for you, the more you'll be able to focus on getting the answers you need from the vast amounts of data your organization generates.

You will:

• Work with multiple worksheets and workbooks.
• Share and protect workbooks.
• Automate workbook functionality.
• Use Lookup functions and formula auditing.
• Forecast data.
• Create sparklines and map data.

Unlock the full potential of productivity by exploring Google Workspace! With its powerful suite of tools—like Gmail, Docs, Sheets, and Drive—you can collaborate, create, and stay organized seamlessly, whether you're working solo or as a team.

In this course, you will use the various apps included in Google Workspace to work productively. You will:

• Navigate the Google Workspace environment and use Gmail to send and manage email correspondence
• Manage schedules using Google Calendar
• Communicate with colleagues over text, voice, and video using Google Chat and Google Meet
• Store and share files using Google Drive
• Collaborate on documents using Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Keep
• Collaborate on data using Google Sheets and Google Forms
• Collaborate on websites using Google Sites

Start the new year with a fresh perspective and practical skills that can make 2026 your most efficient and inspired year yet! Whether you're curious about artificial intelligence or just want to work smarter—not harder—this class is the perfect starting point. Designed for everyday users with no tech background required, you'll learn how to confidently use AI tools like ChatGPT to streamline tasks, spark creativity, boost productivity, and make daily decision-making easier.

From writing emails and planning trips to organizing your goals and exploring new hobbies, discover how AI can become a reliable, time-saving partner in both your personal and professional life. Step into the new year with confidence and curiosity—AI is here to help you thrive.

Excel can help you organize, calculate, analyze, revise, update, and present your data in ways that will help the decision makers in your organization steer you in the right direction. It will also make these tasks much easier for you to accomplish, and in much less time than if you used traditional pen-and-paper methods or non-specialized software. This course aims to provide you with a foundation for Excel knowledge and skills, which you can build upon to eventually become an expert in data manipulation.

In this course, you will learn fundamental Excel skills. You will:

• Familiarize yourself with Excel's layout, its various parts, its commands, and its terminology.
• Outline Excel's abilities to quickly, efficiently, and accurately calculate data.
• Update worksheets without throwing away all of the valuable work you've already done.
• Format a worksheet and organize your data.
• Print workbooks.
• Manage the overall structure of your workbooks.

Taught over two sessions by Dr. Chuck West, this thought-provoking course introduces everyday learners to the fast-changing world of artificial intelligence—and why it matters more than ever.

Night one offers a dynamic overview of AI's expanding role in society. From business and healthcare to education, agriculture, and beyond, AI is reshaping how we live and work. You'll explore the real-world implications of this rapid evolution, including how it may disrupt traditional careers while unlocking entirely new opportunities. Discover how AI is already influencing longevity, sustainability, and innovation—and what the future may hold.

Night two dives into the critical ethical questions raised by these advancements. As AI becomes more capable and autonomous, how do we ensure it serves the greater good? Dr. West will examine today’s most urgent dilemmas—from algorithmic bias to the balance between human agency and machine intelligence—offering space for open discussion and critical thinking.

Whether you're curious, cautious, or excited about the future of AI, this two-part course will help you understand what’s at stake, what’s possible, and what role you can play in shaping what comes next.

This course builds upon the foundational knowledge presented in the Microsoft® Excel® for Office 365™ (Desktop or Online): Part 1 course and will help start you down the road to creating advanced workbooks and worksheets that can help deepen your understanding of organizational intelligence. The ability to analyze massive amounts of data, extract actionable information from it, and present that information to decision makers is at the foundation of a successful organization that is able to compete at a high level.

You will:

• Work with functions.
• Work with lists.
• Analyze data.
• Visualize data with charts.
• Use PivotTables and PivotCharts.

This course builds on the foundational and intermediate knowledge presented in the Microsoft® Excel® for Office 365™ (Desktop or Online): Part 1 and Microsoft® Excel® for Office 365™ (Desktop or Online): Part 2 courses to help you get the most of your Excel experience. The ability to collaborate with colleagues, automate complex or repetitive tasks, and use conditional logic to construct and apply elaborate formulas and functions will put the full power of Excel right at your fingertips. The more you learn about how to get Excel to do the hard work for you, the more you'll be able to focus on getting the answers you need from the vast amounts of data your organization generates.

You will:

• Work with multiple worksheets and workbooks.
• Share and protect workbooks.
• Automate workbook functionality.
• Use Lookup functions and formula auditing.
• Forecast data.
• Create sparklines and map data.

Take a deeper dive into the evolving world of artificial intelligence with this two-night intensive course led by Dr. Chuck West. Designed for curious minds with or without a technical background, this course bridges the past, present, and future of AI technologies—from the logic-based systems that pioneered the field to the powerful learning models transforming it today.

Night one introduces you to Expert Systems—AI models that replicate human decision-making using clear, rule-based logic. You’ll explore real-world examples from medicine, logistics, accounting, and defense, while also learning to build your own simple Expert System diagram. Along the way, Dr. West will help you understand their strengths (like transparency and reliability) as well as their limitations, offering a practical foundation in early AI logic and its modern relevance.

Night two shifts into the exciting realm of Deep Learning and Neural Networks, where machines learn and evolve by analyzing vast data sets. Unlike Expert Systems, these models mimic human learning to find patterns, make predictions, and adapt to new information. You’ll gain a working understanding of how Deep Learning works, how it differs from traditional systems, and how it’s used in today’s cutting-edge AI—from image recognition and language processing to innovation in science, health, and business.

This two-part course is ideal for professionals, lifelong learners, and decision-makers who want to build AI fluency, communicate more effectively with technical teams, and stay ahead in a world increasingly shaped by intelligent systems.

Discover how artificial intelligence is transforming the future of farming. This class explores the powerful role AI plays in modern agriculture—from predicting crop yields and detecting plant diseases to optimizing irrigation, managing supply chains, and improving sustainability. Learn how smart technologies like drones, sensors, and machine learning are helping farmers make data-driven decisions that boost productivity and reduce waste.

Whether you work in agriculture, support the industry, or are simply curious about the future of food, this course offers an eye-opening look at how AI is shaping the way we grow, harvest, and distribute the world’s food. No technical background required—just bring your curiosity and a desire to see how innovation is taking root in the field.

Take your marketing skills to the next level with the power of artificial intelligence. This class introduces practical ways to use AI tools to enhance your marketing efforts—from generating content and automating campaigns to analyzing customer behavior and optimizing engagement. Whether you're a small business owner, entrepreneur, or part of a marketing team, you'll learn how AI can save time, improve targeting, and boost results across platforms. Discover how to use tools like ChatGPT, image generators, predictive analytics, and more to streamline your workflow and create more personalized, effective messaging. No tech experience needed—just bring your ideas and get ready to market smarter.