Mouse and Keyboard Skills

Transcription

1 OCL/ar Mouse and Keyboard Skills Page 1 of 8 Mouse and Keyboard Skills In every computer application (program), you have to tell the computer what you want it to do: you do this with either the mouse or keyboard (sometimes both) The mouse and the keyboard are input devices: units that allow you to enter (that is, input ) information. I. The Keyboard: There are several different types of keyboards, but in this class, we will focus on The Standard 104-key Windows Keyboard, which has typing keys, a numeric keypad, function keys, curser-movement keys and a few special Windows keys. The Standard 104-key Windows Keyboard has four distinct sections: 1. The Alphanumeric keys 3. The Numeric Keypad 2. The Cursor Movement keys 4. The Function keys

2 OCL/ar Mouse and Keyboard Skills Page 2 of 8 1. The Alphanumeric keys: The majority of these keys are just like those found on a typewriter: A-Z and 0-9, punctuation/symbol keys, as well as shift, tab, spacebar and caps lock. Pressing and holding Shift while typing allows you to capitalize a letter or type one of the symbols above the numbers. Caps Lock allows you to type in all capitals while still using the number keys. Pressing this key a second time disables the all-caps mode. The Spacebar (horizontal bar on the keyboard) puts a space between words and sentences. The Tab key advances the cursor to the next tab setting on the line. Enter executes a command or operation. Pressing Enter will perform the same function as clicking on the OK button - that is, it will initiate an action (in this case, print). When typing in a word processor program, you do not need to press Enter at the end of each line, because the computer is already set to go to the next line, or wrap around the page. Press it only at the end of each paragraph.

3 OCL/ar Mouse and Keyboard Skills Page 3 of 8 2. The Cursor Movement keys: The arrow keys allow you to move the curser between letters, words, sentences and paragraphs. The other keys (Home, End, Page Up, Page Down) allow your cursor to jump across larger sections and across screens. Home takes you to the beginning of the line. Control + Home puts the curser at the beginning of the document. Control + Home is a key-stroke combination. This means you press both at the same time. End takes you to the end of the line. Control + End puts the curser at the end of the document. Page Up moves you up one page; likewise Page Down moves you down one page. Keys For Deleting or Entering Text Backspace is used to remove a character to the left of the cursor. Delete is used to remove a character to the right of the cursor. You can also use it to delete an object such as a picture. Insert allows you to type your text in a specific place. You can choose between inserting new text and typing over current text by toggling the Insert key. Pressing it once turns on the overtype function and pressing it again returns you to the insert function. When Overtype is activated in Microsoft Word, you ll see OVR in the status bar of you document.

4 OCL/ar Mouse and Keyboard Skills Page 4 of 8 3. The Numeric Keypad: The keypad, located on the right side of the keyboard, is used for entering numbers and performing calculations. The layout is that of calculators and adding machines for increased speed with data entry. The Number Lock (Num Lock) must be turned on for you to use the keypad. When Num Lock is on, a green light on your keyboard will appear. Toggling the Num Lock key once unlocks the keypad and allows you to use the marked keys (2, 4, 6, 8) as arrow keys for navigating. When Num Lock is turned off, the green light disappears. 4. The Function keys These keys are used to execute commands for specific programs and for operating systems (e.g. Windows). These are labeled F1- F12 across the top of the keyboard. The function keys are usually application-specific. In Word, for example, F-1 will bring up the Help screen F-5 will bring up the Find and Replace Dialogue box F-7 will bring up the Check Spelling tool. The function keys are also used with other keys for additional capabilities. 5. Other keys The Microsoft Windows key is used to open the Start Menu. Escape (Esc) acts as a shortcut in dialog boxes for No, Quit, Exit, Cancel, or Abort, and as a shortcut key for the Stop button in many web browsers.

5 OCL/ar Mouse and Keyboard Skills Page 5 of 8 Modifier Keys and Key Combinations The Modifier keys are Shift, Ctrl (Control) and Alt (Alternate). They are used in combination with other keys to perform certain tasks. As mentioned earlier, a key combination shortcut is a set of keystrokes that, when pressed together, initiate an action. Most of the common key-combination shortcuts are the same across the Office programs, a major advantage when you re new to computers. Some Popular Keyboard Combinations Manipulating text or objects within a file Ctrl + X Cut Selected Item Ctrl + C Ctrl + V Ctrl + B Ctrl + I Ctrl + U Ctrl + A Ctrl + F Copy Selected Item Paste Selected Item Make selected text bold Italicize selected text Underline selected text Select everything Find a certain word or phrase in the entire document Manipulating Files Ctrl + N Ctrl + O Ctrl + S Ctrl + W Ctrl + P Special Ctrl + Alt+ Delete Create a new file Open a file Save a file Close a file Print Log off, shut down, or access the task manager

6 OCL/ar Mouse and Keyboard Skills Page 6 of 8 II. The Mouse A mouse is a device that allows the computer user to have precise control of the pointer (or curser) on the computer screen. As the user moves the mouse, the computer translates its physical motion into the motion of the pointer on the screen. The traditional mouse uses a rubber ball that makes contact with two rollers as it moves over the surface. The two rollers detect the movements and relay them back to the computer. The optical mouse uses a tiny camera to take thousands of pictures every second. It is less likely to malfunction because it has no moving parts. Holding the Mouse Keep your arm straight; move only your arm and elbow, not your wrist. This will help to prevent carpal tunnel injuries. Cradle the mouse by allowing your thumb to rest on the left side while your pinkie and ring finger rest on the right side. Place your index finger on the left button and your middle finger on the right button. Always keep the mouse on the mouse pad. If you run off the edge of the pad, lift the mouse, move it back to the center of the pad and continue. Using the Mouse The Primary Mouse Button is typically the left mouse button; the Secondary Mouse Button is typically the right mouse button. Whenever you are instructed to click, use the primary button. Point means to move the mouse until the onscreen pointer (usually an arrow) rests on the item of choice. Click means to press and release the primary (left) mouse button. You must point to an item before you click. Hold the mouse still as you click. Double-click means to quickly press and release the left mouse button twice without moving the mouse. If you have problems double-clicking, you can

7 OCL/ar Mouse and Keyboard Skills Page 7 of 8 accomplish the same task by clicking once on the item (it should be highlighted), then pressing the Enter button. Right-click means to press and release the right mouse button. Whenever you right-click on an object, a context-sensitive (i.e. shortcut) menu will display. Shortcut menus speed up your work and add flexibility to your computer use. The Scrolling Wheel allows you to scroll vertically and/or horizontally on the page without having to move your mouse on the pad. The Mouse Pointer The I-beam appears when you are in any area that permits typing or editing text. It is also called the typing cursor. The arrow appears when you can select and/or move an icon or object. It also appears when you point to any toolbar or menu. The double arrow indicates you have the ability to resize a window or graphic. When you see an hourglass, your computer is performing an action. Please be patient and wait until the hourglass disappears! Selecting Text To change the font, color, or size of text, you must select it first. Selecting tells the computer that whichever task you are about to perform must apply only to that particular item. Select by holding down the left mouse button as you pass the pointer over a word or sentence. The text will appear high-lighted like this example. Practice Using the Mouse and Keyboard To practice with the mouse at home, go to this Web site for a free mouse tutorial:

8 OCL/ar Mouse and Keyboard Skills Page 8 of 8 Get Computer Books from the Oconee County Library Levine, John. The Internet for Dummies. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, Call Number: NONFIC LEVINE McFedries, Paul. Teach Yourself Visually computers. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, c2007. Call Number: NONFIC MCFEDRIE Muir, Nancy. Computers for Seniors for Dummies. Hoboken, N.J.: Wiley, c2008. Call Number: NONFIC MUIR Don t forget that you can have books from other libraries shipped to your home library free of charge! Visit the Oconee County Library s Web Page Go to and click on Internet Resources. You will find many different resources such as tutorials, internet safety and links to several different Internet Service Providers. Alice Rossiter, Oconee County Library: 07/2010; revision of original by Karen Douglas, Athens Clarke County Library End