What we will learn in Computer Basics

Teacher Barbara Hauck-Mah, Rockaway Township Library, NJ

973-627-2344
Email address rockawaytwplibrary@rtlibrary.org
http://www.rtlibrary.org/computerclasses.html
http://www.rtlibrary.org/computerbasics.pdf

1) What parts of the computer do

2) What wi fi or wireless is

3) What computer hardware and software are

4) How to turn the computer on and off

5) How to get to the internet

6) How to use the mouse

7) How to use the keyboard

8) How to use a program

9) How to organize information into files

10) How to print a document

11) How to use a removable storage device

12) Where to practice and get more information

Parts of a Computer All computers have these parts:

Basic Hardware for a Desktop Computer System

Monitor System Unit

Speakers Mouse & Pad

Keyboard

is a wireless
technology that connects computers, mobile phones and
other electronic devices over a wireless network. You may
need a login or password to use a library or other public
wireless.

Practice 1

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Parts of a Computer and What They Do

Match the word to its picture below. What does this part do?

Keyboard

Printer

Monitor

Mouse

System unit or console

CD/DVD drive

What are Computer Hardware and

Software?
Hardware Outside: Parts on the outside of the
computer that you can touch EXAMPLES:
monitor, keyboard, mouse
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Hardware Inside: Electronic objects inside the computer that store
information and make it work EXAMPLE: Disk drive for memory

Software: includes all the instructions or programs that make the

computer hardware do their tasks.

System software: The Operating System software

controls the computer’s startup, shutdown, document
storage, the hardware devices attached and the application software

Applications Software Programs: Computer instructions you

install or download on your computer to do a
specific job..

How to turn on the Computer

Power Button
1) Press the round power button on the
computer system unit

2) Look for a glowing light around the button.

3) The computer will make sounds and pictures will flash on

the display for a minute or two.

Where is the software on the computer?

Click Start button in lower left corner of display
on Windows computer.

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Click All Programs to see the list of
programs in the computer.

How to turn off the Computer

You have to Click Start to turn off the computer.

Click Log Off, if you want to close your work, but leave the computer on.

Click Shut Down, to turn the power off on the computer.

How to get on the Internet

For Internet Access, you need a computer plus

1) Free web browser software e.g. Internet Explorer
2) A device to access the internet: a modem or router
3) $ for an Internet Service provider (cable or phone company)

How do I get to the internet from the computer?

Look for the Browser icon on your screen or in All Programs

Point with your mouse to the icon and left click

Practice 2
First time on the computer
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1) Check that all computer connections are plugged in.

2)Push the power button to turn the computer on.

Note images you see on the screen as computer gets ready.
Estimate how long it takes for computer startup to finish.

3) Look along bottom of screen to find the Volume Icon

4) Open “All Programs” and look at the list of programs on the

computer. Is Microsoft Office on the list?

Do you recognize the names of any other programs?

5) Let’s go to the internet: Look for and click it OR

Look for the word Internet and click it

6) To leave the internet, click in the top right corner.

7) To end a computer session Click “Log off” button and then

click “Cancel”

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How to Use the Mouse

A MOUSE is a device that moves a pointer on the computer screen.

It acts like a finger, allowing you to press buttons and select objects.

Left Hand Button - Use to point and select

Right Hand Button - To open menus, commands

Scroll wheel - Move page up and down on screen

Cord - plugs mouse into computer

Moving the Mouse

Keep mouse flat on the surface
Hold mouse and move it around slowly.
If you run out of room on the surface, pick the
mouse up and put it back
Keep your wrist straight and your eyes on the screen

How to Click: lightly press and release the left mouse button with your
index finger. Try to keep the mouse still while you are clicking.

Where to Click
The white arrow points to objects on the screen.

Pointer changes to a pointing hand when it is on an Internet Link

Some pictures are links. Buttons are too.

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Practice 3
Mouse Practice
Try clicking on the websites below for mouse practice with

Single Click Move the pointer on top of the object and hold the
mouse steady. Left click mouse once, gently.

Double Click to open programs and files on the computer.

Right Click to open a menu and to give more advanced instructions

Click and Drag

Palm Beach County Library has 2 great lessons on the mouse

http://www.pbclibrary.org/mousing/

http://www.pbclibrary.org/mousing/mousercise.htm

Mouse Skills Program

http://www.mouseprogram.com/

Mouserobics
http://www.ckls.org/~crippel/computerlab/tutorials/mouse/page1.html

Mouse Exercises

http://www.seniornet.org/howto/mouseexercises/mousepractice.html

How to Use the Keyboard

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The keyboard is how you will communicate with the computer
most often. This is a typical keyboard: yours may look different

Backspace – To remove a character

FUNCTION KEYS (F1) give shortcut instructions to computer

Letters and symbols Keypad Arrow Keys Number pad

Shift – Hold this key down to make a capital letter A not a

Caps Lock- Press this key to make all letters UPPERCASE

Space Bar – Press this to make a space between words

Enter – Press to start a new line when typing a document. Or,

press it in a program to start or complete an action

Interactive Keyboard tutorial

http://www.adamfrost.net/elearningMaterials/keyboardSkills1/ke
yboardSkills1.html

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Practice 4
Using the keyboard and a program

We will type a few words and practice using the keyboard

1) Open the computer programs and pick a word processing

program. Look for WordPad (in Accessories) or
Microsoft Office Word.

2) Click to open the program.

You will see a blank white paper

3) Use the Keyboard to type your

first name, press the Space Bar once, and last name

4) Hit the Enter key two times

5) Press the Shift key to type today’s date
(ex. Monday August 23) in Upper and Lower Case. Hit Enter

6) Press numbers on the Number Pad to type your phone number

7) If you make a mistake, use the Backspace key to erase and

re-type a letter or number

8) Press the Up Arrow key to move pointer to top. Press

Caps Lock and type MY NAME IS to the left of your name on top

9) Click File and Save As to save your document. Click

or in top right corner to close the program

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How to Organize Information into Files
Stored computer data is organized like a file cabinet with folders
and files of information.

A FILE is any single item created with a program and saved to

your computer. Here are 4 files created by 4 different programs

A pdf document (Adobe Reader)

Advertising brochure (Publisher)

Text document (Word)

Monthly statistics table (Excel)

A FOLDER is a collection of files, organized by the user.

My Music and My
Pictures are folders

My Documents is the Biggest Folder. It

holds all the other folders with their file

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Practice 5
Open and Print a Document

We will practice printing a one-page document from a link

1) Click the link below to see an English Club document

http://www.rtlibrary.org/eslenglishclub.pdf

2) Click File to open Menu

Then click Print

3) When Print Box opens,

Preview the document and select 1 copy

4) Click OK to send to the printer

For More Information

Microsoft has online help and tutorials for new computer users
http://windows.microsoft. com/en-US/windows-v ista/Introd uct ion-t o-comp uters

New to Computers (TLN Technology Committee)

Available in English and Spanish http://tech.tln.lib.mi.us/tutor/

Visit your local library to borrow great computer basics books

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