Basic Computer Skills for MU School Library Students
The rubrics below highlight basic, intermediate and advanced skills for various computing
tasks: (1) mouse and keyboard skills; (2) basic Windows or Mac operations; (3) file
management; (4) Microsoft Word; (5) Windows Live Hotmail (email); and (6) preventive
maintenance against viruses, spyware and other “malware” (unwanted programs or code
that sneak on to your computer and cause harm, whether intended or not).
Note to Computer Novices
All students need to attain at least a basic level of technical ability to succeed in online
courses. If you have time we suggest a computer literacy course or workshop. Otherwise,
read a How-To book or try an online tutorial. Search the web or try one of the following:
Jan's Illustrated Computer Literacy 101
Old Dominion University Tutorials (also see their pre-enrollment checklist)
Tutorial Sites (huge list of links from Maureen Greenbaum, Union County College)
Malek Tips (collection of helpful tips, forums, guides and Computer Basics)
Mouse and Keyboard Skills
Basic Differentiate between a single and double click (e.g. select vs. open a file)
Differentiate between left and right click (or Control-Click for Mac users)
Use Alt and Ctrl keys in combination (e.g. Ctrl-Alt-Del, Ctrl-V, etc.)
Move a scroll bar up or down with the mouse
Intermediate Use the right click menu (if available)
Block and copy text with mouse
Copy and paste text using the edit menu (Edit > Copy and Edit > Paste)
Use function keys on a laptop for extra features (usually marked fn in blue type)
Advanced Use Ctrl-X (cut), Ctrl-C (copy), and Ctrl-V (paste) keyboard shortcuts
Correct mistakes with Ctrl-Z to undo last action (if available)
Experiment with keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys to save time in launching
common functions or programs (e.g. Windows + M to minimize all windows).
Use the Windows key plus a number corresponding to the order of icons in the
Quick Launch bar (lower left corner of screen) to launch favorite applications.
Note that you can drag and drop any shortcut here for quick access.
Resources For a list of keyboard shortcuts and hotkeys check out some of these sites:
http://www.microsoft.com/enable/products/keyboard.aspx (Microsoft)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Table_of_keyboard_shortcuts (Wiki anyone?)
http://www.mozilla.org/support/firefox/keyboard (Firefox browsers)
http://www.computerhope.com/shortcut.htm (PC, Mac, Linux)
http://davespicks.com/writing/programming/mackeys.html (Mac tips)
http://www.sfsu.edu/~teachers/download/mac_pc_basics.pdf (Mac/PC cheat sheet)
Basic Computer Skills MU School Library Program
Basic Windows/Mac Operations
Basic Identify desktop resources (Start or Dock, quick launch, taskbar, task tray, etc.)
Open programs from Start button (PC) or Finder (Mac) menus
Identify pull-down menu items (e.g. File, Edit, Help, etc.)
Use Help menus for programs and the computer’s own operating system
Minimize, maximize and resize a window (application)
Restore/maximize an active application from taskbar (PC) or Dock (Mac)
Intermediate Open applications from the Start, Run dialogue (PC) or Finder (Mac)
Open and Close dialog boxes
Create shortcut (alias) on desktop
Search for files or applications on your computer
Change screen (video) resolution, display and other basic settings
Advanced Create shortcut in Start menu (PC)
Create shortcut in toolbar (bottom menu, to the right of Start) or Dock
Create custom toolbar (PC)
Edit options (display) in Start Menu (PC) or Dock (Mac)
Resources For tips and tricks for basic computer operations review some of these sites:
http://winbeginners.com/basics.htm (Windows for Beginners)
http://www.wikihow.com/Customize-Your-Windows-XP-Desktop (XP Desktop)
http://www.techsupportalert.com/best_tips_and_tricks.htm (PC one-stop shop)
http://www.howtogeek.com/tag/windows-vista/ (for Vista; see also Windows 7 tips)
http://www.mactips.org/archives/category/finder-tips/ (Finder from Mac Tips)
http://www.macoptions.com/mactips.html (Mac options)
http://www.youthtech.com/techstuff/techtips/mac-tips.htm (Mac Tips ‘n Tricks)
http://www.macosxtips.co.uk/ (Mac OS X Tips)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3iOQd16d2_Q (YouTube video Mac tips)
http://www.sad4.com/Technology/OSX/Tips (More OS X tricks and tips)
File Management Skills
Basic Identify the components of a file name and path (drive, folder, file)
Open Windows Explorer from My Computer (PC) or Finder’s Go menu (Mac)
Open a file in Windows Explorer or Finder
Intermediate Create, delete or rename a file or folder
Copy or move a file or folder
Organize commonly used files for specific purpose into folders and sub-folders
Use Windows Search or Mac Finder/Spotlight to locate a specific file or folder
Basic Computer Skills MU School Library Program
Advanced View properties of a file in Windows Explorer or the Mac’s Finder (Get Info)
Edit file types in Windows Explorer or Finder (Get Info) to change default
program to open files of associated format type, as indicated by extension (e.g.
Adobe Acrobat opens .pdf files, Microsoft Word opens .doc files, etc.)
Right click a file and select Send To (Windows XP) to save or move files. For
help see http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310270 or install Microsoft’s free
PowerToys for old versions of Windows (for Vista or Win 7 see How-To Geek).
Resources For tips and tricks for better file management review some of these sites:
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/datamanagement/a/computerfilemgt.htm
http://www.worldstart.com/tips/file-management/index.htm
http://www.peachpit.com/articles/article.asp?p=24588&seqNum=9&rl=1
http://winbeginners.com/articles/explorer.htm
http://winbeginners.com/articles/file_management.htm
http://t4.jordan.k12.ut.us/t4/content/view/232/58/ (Video guide for Macs)
Microsoft Word Skills
Basic Identify basic parts of the Word menu and workspace
Open, close, print and save a file
Change fonts or size for selected text
Use tabs, indents and margins on the ruler to edit document (instead of spaces)
Intermediate Use Save As to save a copy of the same document or save in a different format
(e.g. ASCII text, Rich Text format, etc.)
Create bullets and numbered lists
Insert images or other media objects (e.g. audio or video clips)
Use format and paragraph menus to add style and formatting
Insert headings and create a table of contents
Advanced Distinguish difference between Edit, Paste and Edit, Paste Special
Use format painter to copy styles and format to another section
Insert page and continuous breaks to create new sections
Format sections and first page differently than the rest of the document (e.g.
change one section to landscape mode or change margins)
Resources There are many online Word tutorials. Besides Atomic Learning and our own video
demos (http://libweb.mansfield.edu/media/wordTricks.html), try one of these freebies:
http://www.baycongroup.com/wlesson0.htm
http://www.internet4classrooms.com/on-line_word.htm
http://www.springshosting.com/microsoft_office/
http://www.bettersolutions.com/word.aspx
http://www.tutorialized.com/tutorials/MS-Word/1
Basic Computer Skills MU School Library Program
Windows Live Hotmail (email)
Basic Differentiate between a web-based and client (installed) e-mail application
Activate MU email account using Windows Live Hotmail (access from either
http://www.hotmail.com OR http://mail.live.com/)
Identify Inbox and Junk mail folders
Manage personal information in Options menu (select More options for full menu)
Edit safe senders list in Options, Junk mail menu (especially mansfield.edu)
Open, send and save an attachment
Never open an attachment from an unknown email without first identifying the
recipient or what the link is for (it could be a virus or spyware)
Intermediate Add signature in Options menu (Customize your mail)
Customize reading pane in Options, Customize your mail
Create or delete additional mail folders
Move mail from one folder to another
Create Email contact (address book entry)
Advanced Create mail groups within Contacts
Import/export email contacts from other mail programs (e.g. Outlook,
Thunderbird, etc.) from Options, Customize your contacts
Retrieve email from other accounts by editing Options, Manage your account
Resources Note: MU requires all students to use Windows Live Hotmail. For guides see our
Help page (http://library.mansfield.edu/help.html#webmail) or click the question
mark on the far top right side of Hotmail to access their online Help (see below).
Also review some generic guides to email:
http://www.learnthenet.com/english/section/email.html
http://www.siteground.com/tutorials/email/index.htm
http://www.webfoot.com/advice/email.top.html
Preventive Maintenance
Basic Install and regularly update anti-virus and anti-spyware software to block malware
(for commercial software renew subscription annually)
Run anti-virus and anti-spyware software at least weekly (free products are good at
cleaning your computer after an attack, but commercial software, usually under
$50, runs full-time in the background to prevent installation of various malware).
Download and install updates at least every 1-2 months for the operating system
Basic Computer Skills MU School Library Program
(e.g. Windows Update) and at least every 3-4 months for and critical applications
Back up critical files and assignments to external media (thumb drive, portable
hard drive, CD/DVD, etc.). Floppy disks should now be considered obsolete.
Learn How to Avoid Phishing Scams (cleverly disguised email cons)
Intermediate Blow out dust from mice, keyboards and from the inside of the computer at least
2-3 times a year (for tips see http://www.computerhope.com/cleaning.htm)
Clean hard drive of unwanted programs, files and folders at least every 1-2 months
(especially temporary files). Be sure to also empty deleted files from the Recycle
Bin (or Mac Trash Can), as those files aren’t physically deleted but merely
removed from file management while still taking up space. Windows users can use
Disk Cleanup (Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools).
Regularly delete temporary Internet files via the web browser’s Internet options
menu (or manually delete in Windows, from c:\Windows\Temporary Internet files)
Create a Windows restore point prior to installing new hardware or major software
packages (PC).
Advanced Regularly defragment hard drive (PC only). Commercial software performs this
task as needed, though Windows 7 doesn’t require it (for tips on Windows’ free
Defragmenter see http://www.computerhope.com/software/defrag.htm)
Update computer BIOS once or twice a year (download from computer vendor)
Run Microsoft ScanDisk to check hard drives for various errors (PC)
Back up registry and system
Resources For helpful advice and tips on preventive maintenance check out some of these sites:
http://www.wikihow.com/Category:Hardware-Maintenance-and-Repair (Wiki)
http://macs.about.com/od/troubleshooting/Troubleshooting.htm (Mac help)
http://tutorials.ausweb.com.au/hosting/Tutorials/Your-PC-Security/ (Security)
http://pcworld.about.com/magazine/2208p152id116583.htm (prevention)
http://www.pcguide.com/care/pm.htm
http://www.computerhope.com/vlist.htm (information on viruses)
http://www.nirealtor.com/images/pmchecklist.pdf (checklist)
http://www.pcworld.com/tc/spyware/ (Spyware guide)
http://guides.radified.com/magoo/guides/spyware/remove_spyware_01.htm
http://www.sitepoint.com/article/under-wear-definitive-guide
http://www.firewallguide.com/anti-virus.htm
http://antivirus.about.com/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malware
Last Updated: 28 Dec 2009
Larry Schankman
