Basic Computer Use

Computer Literacy 1Transition Plus Services

1. Identify desktop and laptop computers

2. Turn computer and monitor on and off

3. Log on to a computer

4. Identify specific computer hardware

5. Find and understand functions of keyboard keys

6. Use and identify types of mice

7. Customize your mouse

8. Recognize cursor shapes

Objectives

9. Adjust volume

10. Identify icons on desktop

11. Understand trash/recycle bin and how to retrieve discarded files

12. Customize a computer for increased accessibility

13. Change screen resolution

14. Recognize types of storage media

Objectives

Desktop computers are stationary, heavier and larger

than a laptop and have separate hardware, such as a keyboard

and mouse.

Computer types

These are two common types of computers:

Laptop computers are portable, lighter and run on batteries.

Desktop or a laptop?

Computer types

DESKTOP LAPTOP DESKTOP

Desktop or a laptop?

Computer types

LAPTOP KIDDINGLAPTOP

Computers can be either a Macintosh (Mac/Apple) or PC (personal computer).

PCs use Windows as their operating system, while Macs do not.

Computer types

Throughout the course, we will be learning computer skills on a PC with a Windows operating system.

The power button usually has this symbol.

Power button

Locate the power button on your computer and monitor,

but don’t touch it.

Log on

When you start a computer, you may be prompted to log on with a username and password. If not,

the computer will automatically log you on.

In Computer Literacy 1, you must log onto the computer with your username and password.

Hardware is the name for the physical parts of your computer.

On the next several slides,you’ll identify these pieces of hardware:

Hardware

The System Unit is also known as the computer.

Hardware

In a desktop computer, the tower is the system unit. The tower

houses many internal components needed to operate

the computer.

In a laptop computer, the system unit is the laptop itself.

The monitor is the screen of the computerwhere information is displayed.

Hardware

The printer is a device that produces a hard copy (paper copy) of the computer’s processing results. In other words, the printer

copies onto paper exactly what is seen on your monitor.

Hardware

A keyboard is a device for enteringNumeric data (numbers) and alphabetic data (letters)

into a computer.

Hardware

A mouse is a device that communicates instructions to the

computer and controls the pointer you see on your screen.

Laptop computers use a touchpad instead of a mouse. It senses the

position of your finger and then moves the pointer accordingly.

Hardware

A USB Port (Universal Serial Bus) is the most common interface to which a peripheral device (keyboard, mouse, speakers,

scanner, etc.) attaches to the system unit.

Hardware

Keyboard

Tab

ControlHolding Control down while pressing another key initiates a specific action, defined by the application being used. For example, CTRL + P generally allows you to print.

In a word processor application, the Tab key indents the cursor (to begin a paragraph, for example). In other applications, the Tab key allows you to move between fields (Shift + Tab to move backward).

Keyboard

Backspace Number Lock

While working with text, Backspace will delete characters to the left of the insertion point.

To use the numeric keypad on the right end of the keyboard for numbers, select Num Lock (a light above it will turn on). If you want to use the keypad to navigate within a document, turn Num Lock off.

Keyboard

Caps Lock

Shift

Using Caps Lock ensures all text is written in capital letters. The Caps Lock key should be used with caution. Using ALL CAPS is usually not a good idea, because it can be misunderstood as SHOUTING AT SOMEONE.

While holding Shift, you can type in capital letters. Holding Shift allows you to select characters displayed above non-alphabet letter keys. Holding Shift allows you to select text while dragging your mouse.

Keyboard

Delete Enter

Arrow keys

While working with text, use this key to delete characters to the right of the insertion point. This key can also be used to delete selected files.

In an email or word processing application, Enter creates a new paragraph. Any selected button or command can be selected by pressing Enter.

Used to navigate throughout a document.

Mice

Now, let’s learn about mice.

Not those kind of mice!This kind of mouse:

Mice

You use the wheel to scroll or zoom

The right button displays a shortcut menu

Mice

Click the right mouse button anywhere on this slide. Notice the options you are given on the shortcut menu. Next, use the wheel to scroll up and down. What

happens?

The left mouse button is used most often. Click

once to select something (like a file or email).

Double-click to open it.

To highlight a portion of text or drag an object,

hold down the left button while moving the mouse. To stop highlighting or drop an object, release

the left button.

Mice

Click on the picture of the mouse above with the left mouse button. You should have selected the picture. Hold the left button down and drag it to another part

of the slide. Release the left mouse button to drop it.

Make your mouse easier to use by customizing it.

Mice

Mice can be customized for left-handed people.You can also control

clicking speed.

To adjust these settings, visit the Mouse section in

your WindowsControl Panel.

You can have your computer speak to you, magnify your screen, use an on-screen keyboard, adjust keyboard settings and more.

Accessibility

Visit the Ease of Access Center in your Control Panel to increase accessibility.

You can also control volume and mute all audio using the volume icon in your taskbar (the horizontal bar across the bottom of your screen). Remember to use headphones when appropriate!

Adjusting volume

Locate the volume icon in your taskbar.Practice adjusting the volume of your

computer.

Normal Select: basic navigation and clicking arrow

Text Select: typingI-beam

Link Select: hyperlinkshand

Cursor shapes

Common desktop icons:

Desktop icons

Internet Browser, such as Internet

Explorer, Firefox or Safari

Recycle Bin Control Panel

Windows uses Recycle Bin for discarded files(Apple computers use Trash)

Recycle Bin

If you delete an item, it is moved to the Recycle Bin. To move an item to the Recycle Bin, right-click the item then

click Delete. Or, drag and drop an item there.

Recycle Bin

The recycle bin stores discarded items until you empty it. Emptying the recycle bin permanently deletes the files. When you right-click a file in

the Recycle Bin and click Restore, the file is restored to its original location.

To adjust the screen resolution on your computer, select Display in your control panel.

Screen resolution

Here, you can adjust how large or small objectsappear on your screen.

Common storage media types includeUSB flash drives and external hard drives.

Storage media

There is also a hard drive inside your computer (an internal hard drive) that stores your computer’s data.

Software are applications or programs used to perform a specific task such as word processing, photo editing,

movie editing, video chatting, etc.

Software

Software programs are upgraded periodically and different versions may be installed on different

computers.