Computer Basics

1
Computer Basics
Last Updated 2007
2
Lesson Plan

• LESSON 1
• Computer Parts
• Storage Devices
• Keyboard Basics
• LESSON 2
• Mouse Parts Skills
• Mouse parts
• Hold the mouse
• Clicking (left and right
• clicking, double clicking)
• Dragging

• LESSON 3
• The Operating System
• Why is it called Windows?
• Windows Desktop
• Start Menu Program Menus
• The Application Window
• Shutting Down the Computer

3
Lesson 1 Computer Parts
Monitor
Power Button
Mouse
Keyboard
4
Lesson 1 Storage Devices
A

• Hard Drive
• Floppy Disks
• CD / DVD
• Flash (USB) Drive

B
D
C
5
Lesson 1 Drives or Ports for Storage Devices
CD/DVD Drive
Floppy Drive
Hard Drive (inside)
USB Ports
6
Lesson 3 Keyboard Basics
Tab
Caps Lock
Backspace
Shift
Space Bar
Arrow Keys
Enter / Return
7
Lesson 2 Mouse Parts Skills
8
Lesson 2 Holding the Mouse

• Put your hand over the mouse
• Rest the heel of your hand on the desk at the
  bottom of the mouse, with the mouse buttons
  facing away from you
• Rest your index finger over the left mouse button

9
Lesson 1 Windows Desktop

• What is the Desktop?
• The first screen you see after the operating
  system starts
• Includes
• Shortcuts (Icons)
• Taskbar
• Buttons
• System tray
• Background (Wallpaper)
• How do you work around the desktop?
• Use the mouse and keyboard to work with programs
  and icons

10
Lesson 1 Windows Desktop
Background
Shortcut
Taskbar
System Tray
Buttons
11
Lesson 2 Left Clicking

• Left button
• Single click to select an image or icon OR to
  open a web page
• Double click to open a file or a program.
• Exercise
• Using the left mouse button, double click My
  Computer icon on the Desktop.

12
Lesson 2 Dragging and Dropping

• To drag an item
• Move the mouse pointer over the item
• Click the left mouse button once and hold it down
• Drag the item to its destination
• Release the left mouse button
• Exercise
• Drag an application window to a new location on
  the Desktop

13
Lesson 2 Right Clicking

• Right button
• Brings up a shortcut menu, a menu of commonly
  used functions (tasks)
• Options in menu vary depending upon where you are
  when you right click (aka context sensitivity)

The shortcut menu for the Internet Explorer icon
14
Lesson 2 Right Clicking

• Exercise
• Place your mouse pointer on the Mozilla Firefox
  icon.
• Click the right mouse button once to bring up
  shortcut menu.
• Click Open to open the program.

15
Lesson 3 The Operating System

• What is an operating system (OS)?
• A computer program (software)
• What does an operating system do?
• Manages and monitors all devices
• Controls storage and memory on the computer
• A computer cannot work without an Operating System

Windows XP is one example of an operating system
16
Lesson 3 Windows Operating System

• Why is it called Microsoft Windows?
• Because software (or programs) work in an area
  that looks like a window.
• The windows can be side by side, on top of each
  other or full screen.
• The window can be resized.
• Lets you use many different programs at the same
  time.

17
Lesson 3 Start Menu Program Menus

• What is the Start Menu?
• A menu that contains a list of very important
  shortcuts including
• Programs
• Documents
• Settings
• Search
• Help
• What is the Program Menu?
• A menu that contains shortcuts to programs
  installed on the computer, such as
• Word, Excel, Internet Explorer, Accessories..etc.

18
Lesson 3 Start Menu Program Menus
Program Menu
Submenu
Start Menu
19
Lesson 3 Program Window

• What is the Application Window?
• a framed, square shaped window where information
  is displayed
• it can be resized, moved around, and includes
• Minimize Button
• Maximize/Restore Button
• Close Button
• Resizing Frame
• Menus and toolbars
• Help menu
• keyboard shortcuts

20
Lesson 3 The Application Window
Maximize
Close
Application Window
Minimize
Resize
Application Buttons
21
Lesson 3 Shutting down the computer

• Cant I just turn off the computer?
• NO!!
• Why not?
• You must shut down the computer properly
• You could lose information, or cause a computer
  error.
• How do I shut down properly?
• Close all open programs (dont forget to save
  your work!)
• Click the Start button, then choose Shut down
  from the menu

22
Lesson 3 Shutting down the computer

• Click the Start button, then
• Click Shut Down

23
Lesson 3 Shutting down the computer
24
Recap

• Handouts
• Upcoming training programs
• Library resources
• Program evaluation forms

Any questions?