Computer Basics

Last Updated: 2007

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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

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Lesson 1: Computer Parts

Monitor

Keyboard

Power Button

Mouse

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Lesson 1: Storage Devices

A. Hard Drive

B. Floppy Disks

C. CD / DVD

D. Flash (USB) Drive

A

DC

B

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Lesson 1: Drives or Ports for Storage Devices

CD/DVD Drive

Floppy Drive

USB Ports

Hard Drive

(inside)

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Tab

Shift Space Bar Arrow KeysEnter / Return

Caps Lock Backspace

Lesson 3: Keyboard Basics

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Lesson 2: Mouse Parts & Skills

Right button

Left button

Scroll wheel

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Lesson 2: Holding the Mouse

1. Put your hand over the mouse

2. Rest the heel of your hand on the desk at the bottom of the mouse, with the mouse buttons facing away from you

3. Rest your index finger over the left mouse button

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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

Lesson 1: Windows Desktop

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Lesson 1: Windows Desktop

Background

Taskbar

Buttons

Shortcut

System Tray

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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.

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Lesson 2: Dragging and Dropping

To drag an item:1. Move the mouse pointer over the item

2. Click the left mouse button once and hold it down

3. Drag the item to its destination

4. Release the left mouse button

Exercise:

Drag an application window to a new location on the Desktop

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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

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Lesson 2: Right Clicking

Exercise:

1. Place your mouse pointer on the Mozilla Firefox icon.

2. Click the right mouse button once to bring up shortcut menu.

3. Click Open to open the program.

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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

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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.

• Let’s you use many different programs at the same time.

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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.

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Lesson 3: Start Menu & Program Menus

Start Menu

Program Menu

Submenu

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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

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MinimizeMaximize CloseApplication Window

Lesson 3: The Application Window

Application Buttons

Resize

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Lesson 3: Shutting down the computer

Can’t 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?1. Close all open programs (don’t forget to save

your work!)2. Click the Start button, then choose “Shut down”

from the menu

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Lesson 3: Shutting down the computer

1. Click the Start button, then

2. Click Shut Down

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Lesson 3: Shutting down the computer

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Recap

• Handouts

• Upcoming training programs

• Library resources

• Program evaluation forms

Any questions?