Computer Basics: Tackling the mouse, keyboard, and using Windows Class Description: Interested in learning how to use a computer? Come learn the computer basics at the Muhlenberg Community Library. This class will provide an overview of working with Windows, discuss how to use a mouse, and help you become familiar with a keyboard. Class size is limited for more one-on-one time with the staff. Class Length: 2 hours Objectives: Class Schedule Become familiar with using a mouse. Become familiar with using a keyboard. Perform basic computer tasks in a Windows environment. Working with Windows o Desktop, taskbar, start menu o Parts of a window Using the Mouse o Left clicking o Right clicking o Click and Dragging o Scrolling Using the Keyboard o Keys o Typing
What is Microsoft Windows? Microsoft Windows is the operating system of the computer. It is the brain that gives all the parts of the computer commands. When you turn on a computer, its operating system immediately loads. It sets the standard for all programs that run on the computer such as Google Chrome or Microsoft Word. Other operating systems include: Mac Linux Desktop Once the computer has been turned on, the first screen that you see is the desktop. A computer is like one big desk with a number of files, folders, and tools that you can use. Taskbar The taskbar is located at the bottom of your screen. There is a clock on the right hand side of the taskbar. The taskbar shows how many windows you currently have open. You can use the taskbar to move between one window and another. Start Menu On the left hand side of the taskbar is the Start button. It opens up the start menu. It displays the available applications on the computer. You can use the Start button to open programs on the computer, just like you would open a drawer to access your files on a desk.
What is a Mouse? Cord Scrolling button Right mouse button A hand-controlling device that allows you to make commands on the computer screen. It provides a connection between you and the computer. Parts of a Mouse Cord connects the mouse to the computer. Scrolling button Allows you to scroll easily on a page. Left mouse button Right mouse button Left mouse button Place to rest your palm. Proper Hand Position Index finger should remain on the left button and the middle finger should rest on the right button. Mouse should remain on a flat surface. What is a Cursor? When you move your mouse, you will notice an arrow moving on your screen. This arrow is referred to as the cursor. The shape of the cursor changes depending on what action you are trying to perform. The arrow allows you to click on menus, icons, and toolbars. The I cursor allows you to type letters and numbers. Practice: Moving the Mouse 1. Locate the cursor on the screen. 2. Move the mouse left and right. 3. Notice the speed at which the cursor moves on the screen. 4. Now try moving the cursor up and down. 5. Again notice the speed at which the mouse moves on the screen. 6. Try moving the mouse diagonally. What did you notice about the speed the mouse moves?
Single Clicking Single clicking helps you to tell the computer what you would like to do. It helps you to command the computer or highlight an object. Do you want to open a program or print a website? To do this, you will need to click. Most single clicking is done with the left mouse button. Practice: Single Clicking 1. Locate the Start button in the left-hand corner of the screen. 2. Place the cursor on top of the Start button. 3. Click once with the left mouse button. A menu opens and displays all of the available computer programs. 4. Click outside this menu to close it (anywhere on the desktop). 5. Click on the Start button again to open the menu. 6. Now try moving the mouse upward. 7. Notice that as the mouse moves, it selects the current item with a darker color. A simple click will open the desired application. 8. Click outside the menu to close it. Double Clicking Double clicking is clicking the left mouse button twice in rapid succession. It is usually done to open icons that appear on the desktop. Practice: Double Clicking 1. Locate an icon on the desktop screen. 2. Place the cursor on top of the icon. 3. Click the left mouse button twice in rapid succession. The program will open up on the desktop screen. Right Clicking Right clicking involves clicking the right mouse button. This click is used to open a shortcut menu to access a specific command. Practice: Right Clicking 1. Right click anywhere on the screen. A menu will pop up with different options. 2. Left click outside this window to close the menu.
Click and Drag Click and drag is used to move icons on the desktop, drop files in folders, and play a game of solitaire. Click on an object, holding the click, and dragging the mouse across the mouse pad. Practice: Click and Drag 1. Locate the Calculator icon again at the top of the screen. 2. Place the cursor on top of the icon and click and hold on the icon. 3. Drag the icon to another spot on the screen. 4. Release the click. 5. Now drag it back. Keyboard The keyboard allows you to type text and navigate on the desktop. Types of keys: Typing Keys Include letters, numbers, punctuation, and symbol keys. Control Keys Used alone or in combination with other keys to perform certain actions. Function Keys Used to perform specific tasks. They are labeled as F1, F2, F3, and so on, up to F12. Navigation Keys These keys are used for moving around in documents or web pages and editing text. Numeric Keypad Set up like a calculator on the right hand side of the keyboard. The Keys Typing Keys Backspace Key Deletes one character to the left of the cursor. Delete Key Deletes one character to the right of the cursor. Caps Lock Key Press this key to type all characters in uppercase. Press it again to turn it off. Enter Key Sometimes referred to as the return key. It is used to activate a command, or move to the next line while working in a word processing program. Shift Key Allows you to capitalize a letter or type the symbols or other characters which appear on the top portion of the keys. Space bar Inserts one space between characters.
Control Keys Control and Alt Keys - Used in combination with other keys as shortcuts that can be used to activate commands. For example, pressing Ctrl and P keys at the same time will activate the print command. Esc Key Short for Escape, this key is used to exit from tasks. Navigation Keys Function Keys Arrow Keys - Allows you to move the cursor up and down and left and right. Special keys labeled F1 to F12. Often these keys are used to perform shortcuts in programs. For example, pressing F1 will usually activate Help in programs. The Keyboard Practice: 1. Double click on Microsoft Word on the desktop. 2. Type a short sentence using the typing keys. a. For example: I love ice cream. 3. Use the arrow keys to move back and forth in the sentence. 4. Hit the backspace key to delete part of your sentence to the left. 5. Hit the delete key to delete part of your sentence to the right. 6. Hit Enter. 7. Hit the Caps Lock key and type another sentence. a. The sentence should appear in all caps LIKE THIS.
Parts of a Window Minimize Title Bar Menu Bar Maximize Close/Exit Scroll Bar Title bar The title bar tells you where you are. For example, this window shows that we are in Internet Explorer on the Muhlenberg Community Library Home Page. Menu Bar This bar is available in every program and provides options for saving, printing, editing, and viewing. Minimize Sends the window back to the taskbar. Maximize Makes the window as large as the desktop or makes it smaller than the desktop. It resizes the window. Exit Closes the window. Scroll bar Allows me to move up and down on a page or left to right.
Scrolling Scrolling is the act of sliding a horizontal or vertical bar across a screen or display window in order to see more information. It allows you to see information on a webpage that does not fit on your screen. Ways to scroll: Practice: Scrolling Click and drag the scroll box up and down inside the elevator. Click inside the elevator that does not hold the scroll box. Arrow buttons on keyboard can be used to scroll. You can also scroll using the scroll wheel on your mouse. 1. Double click on the Internet Explorer icon. a. This will open the library website. 2. Practice the four methods of scrolling. Homework a. Click and drag the scroll box up and down inside the elevator. b. Click inside the elevator that does not hold the scroll box. c. Arrow buttons on keyboard can be used to scroll. d. You can also scroll using the scroll wheel on your mouse. Practice what you have learned for 15 minutes a day. Mouse o Play Solitaire o Games online: http://www.pbclibrary.org/mousing/mousercise.htm Keyboard o http://www.sense-lang.org/typing/