This guide is intended for use in a course to help students become familiar with computer disk operating systems and the applications of various types of computer software. The first third of the guide contains the following: a profile of the critical skills required for the Canadian work force, a flowchart of the recommended sequence of studies for business education courses, the rationale for a course in software applications, evaluation criteria, time allotments, and the goals and objectives of each of the seminar's five units. The remainder of the guide consists of outlines for instructional units on the following topics: disk operating systems, spreadsheets, databases, integrated packages, and data communications. Each unit outline contains a unit goal and objectives correlated with recommended instructional methods. Appended are examples of spreadsheets and a list of practical activities for use in exploring and learning about databases. A 32-item bibliography of texts, educational versions of application programs, text resources and courseware (spreadsheets, databases, and integrated software) concludes the guide. (MN)