Information Technology Assistant

Course Description

OTA0040C – Information Technology Assistant is a Postsecondary Adult Vocational (PSAV) clock-hour course in the Office Technology and Administrative Support program area, aligned with the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Curriculum Framework. The course is the foundational module in many of Florida's office and information-technology PSAV career pathways and serves as a common starting point for programs in Administrative Office Specialist, Medical Administrative Specialist, Accounting Operations, Digital Information Technology, and similar tracks.

Students develop entry-level competencies in computer literacy, productivity software (word processing, spreadsheets, presentations, databases), file management, internet use, professional email, and workplace digital skills. Coursework integrates hands-on lab time with classroom instruction and emphasizes industry-recognized competencies aligned with Microsoft Office, Google Workspace, and CompTIA standards.

This course is offered at approximately 38 Florida technical colleges and is a typical first course (often 150 clock hours) in the PSAV office-technology program sequence. As a 0xxx PSAV course, hours apply toward program completion and industry certifications but are not automatically transferable to associate-degree programs.

Learning Outcomes

Required Outcomes

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate computer-literacy fundamentals, including hardware identification, operating system navigation, file and folder management, and basic troubleshooting.
• Use word processing software (Microsoft Word or Google Docs) to create, format, edit, and print professional business documents.
• Use spreadsheet software (Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets) to enter data, apply formulas and functions, format cells, and create basic charts.
• Use presentation software (Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides) to design and deliver effective business presentations.
• Use database concepts (Microsoft Access introduction) to create simple tables, forms, queries, and reports.
• Use the Internet effectively, including web browsing, search techniques, source evaluation, and online research skills.
• Demonstrate professional email communication, including business email composition, attachments, calendar use, and email etiquette.
• Apply file management practices, including file naming conventions, cloud storage (OneDrive, Google Drive), file sharing, and basic version control.
• Apply workplace digital citizenship concepts, including data privacy, password security, acceptable-use policies, copyright basics, and social-media professionalism.
• Demonstrate keyboarding proficiency at a minimum entry-level rate (typically 25–35 wpm with acceptable accuracy).
• Demonstrate employability skills, including time management, professional communication, customer service, teamwork, and basic resume preparation.

Optional Outcomes

• Complete an industry certification exam such as Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) Word or Excel, IC3 Digital Literacy, or CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+).
• Apply basic IT troubleshooting skills for common hardware and software issues.
• Use collaboration tools (Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack) for workplace communication and meetings.
• Apply basic cybersecurity awareness, including phishing recognition, malware basics, and safe browsing practices.
• Use document scanning, OCR, and PDF tools for digital document workflow.

Major Topics

Required Topics

• Computer Hardware and Operating Systems: Hardware components, peripherals, Windows and/or macOS basics, file structure, system settings.
• File and Folder Management: Creating, renaming, copying, moving, deleting; cloud storage; file naming conventions; backup basics.
• Word Processing: Document creation; character and paragraph formatting; page layout; tables; mail merge basics; templates; review and proofreading tools.
• Spreadsheets: Cell references; formulas (SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, COUNT, IF); formatting; sorting and filtering; charts; basic functions.
• Presentations: Slide design; templates and themes; text and image formatting; transitions and animations; speaker notes; presentation delivery.
• Database Concepts: Database vs. spreadsheet; tables, fields, records; simple queries; forms and reports (Microsoft Access introduction).
• Internet and Web: Web browsers; search engines and Boolean operators; source evaluation; bookmarks and favorites; downloads.
• Email and Communication: Email composition; attachments; folders and rules; calendar and scheduling; contacts; email etiquette.
• Keyboarding: Touch-typing technique; speed and accuracy development; ergonomic principles.
• Digital Citizenship and Security: Strong passwords; phishing awareness; copyright and fair use; data privacy; acceptable-use policies.
• Employability Skills: Time management; customer service; professional communication; teamwork; resume and cover letter basics; job search.

Optional Topics

• Industry Certification Preparation: Microsoft Office Specialist (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), IC3, CompTIA ITF+.
• IT Troubleshooting Basics: Common hardware/software issues, support ticket etiquette, help-desk concepts.
• Collaboration Tools: Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, Google Workspace collaboration features.
• Cybersecurity Awareness: Threats and defenses, multi-factor authentication, safe practices for remote work.
• Document Workflow: Scanning, OCR, PDF creation and editing, electronic signatures.

Resources & Tools

• Productivity Software: Microsoft 365 (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Access), Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides, Gmail)
• Keyboarding Software: Keyboarding Pro, Mavis Beacon, GMetrix, or web-based platforms (typing.com, keybr.com)
• Certification Practice: GMetrix, Certiport, MeasureUp practice tests for MOS and IC3
• Reference Standards: FLDOE Curriculum Framework for Information Technology Assistant (CIP code varies by host program); Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS) certification objectives; IC3 Digital Literacy Certification objectives
• Recommended Texts: Microsoft Office series (Shelly Cashman, Pearson MyLab IT, GO!), Computer Concepts and Microsoft Office, or publisher-bundled materials
• Online Learning: Microsoft Learn, GCF Global (gcfglobal.org), LinkedIn Learning, Khan Academy computing tutorials

Career Pathways

Completion of OTA0040C supports entry into and advancement within the following office and information technology occupations:

• Office Clerk / General Office Worker (SOC 43-9061) — Entry-level office support across industries.
• Data Entry Keyer (SOC 43-9021) — Specialized data input role for healthcare, financial services, and administrative offices.
• Receptionist / Administrative Assistant (SOC 43-4171, 43-6014) — Front-office and executive support roles.
• Customer Service Representative (SOC 43-4051) — Customer-facing support requiring computer and communication skills.
• Help Desk / IT Support (Tier 1) — Entry-level technical support, particularly with additional CompTIA A+ training.
• Medical Administrative Assistant — Combined with healthcare-specific PSAV courses, leads to medical office roles.

OTA0040C also serves as a stepping stone to more specialized PSAV programs: Administrative Office Specialist, Medical Administrative Specialist, Accounting Operations, and Digital Information Technology. Florida's office-administrative employment is distributed across all metro areas with concentrations in healthcare, finance, professional services, and government.

Special Information

Certification Preparation

OTA0040C content aligns with the following industry-recognized credentials:

• Microsoft Office Specialist (MOS): Word Associate, Excel Associate, PowerPoint Associate
• IC3 Digital Literacy Certification: Computing Fundamentals, Key Applications, Living Online
• CompTIA IT Fundamentals (ITF+): Foundational IT credential for those continuing into A+ and beyond
• Microsoft Certified: Fundamentals credentials (e.g., Microsoft 365 Fundamentals, Azure Fundamentals)

Florida's career and technical education programs frequently provide certification testing fee reimbursement and on-site testing centers (Certiport, Pearson VUE) for these credentials. Earning industry certifications during the program substantially improves employment outcomes.

Program Articulation

OTA0040C is the foundational course in many Florida PSAV office-technology programs and may articulate as elective credit toward Office Administration, Office Systems Technology, Business Administration, or Computer Information Technology A.S. degrees at participating Florida colleges. Per Florida statewide articulation agreements (Gold Standard Career Pathway and Statewide Articulation Agreements), students should consult their receiving institution for specific articulation credit awards.

Sequence in Program

OTA0040C is typically the first course in the PSAV program sequence. It establishes the core digital-skills foundation required for subsequent specialized courses such as advanced Microsoft Office applications, accounting software (QuickBooks), or specialty topics in medical office, legal office, or accounting operations.