Computer Basics

For Seniors

Volunteer Instructor: April Edmonds

8/17/2009
Table of Contents
Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 3

Monitor ................................................................................................................................................ 4

Central Processing Unit (CPU)........................................................................................................ 4

Disk or CD-ROM Drive (Storage) .................................................................................................. 4

USB....................................................................................................................................................... 6

Mouse ................................................................................................................................................. 12

Exercise #1: ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Exercise #2: .................................................................................................................................... 14

Exercise #3: .................................................................................................................................... 15

Glossary ............................................................................................................................................. 17

Need extra computer time? ......................................................................................................... 22

Additional Resources...................................................................................................................... 22

References: ...................................................................................................................................... 22

2
 Computer Basics

Introduction

Course Objective: This course is a basic overview of computers. You will

be introduced to computers, computer usage and given the opportunity to
become more comfortable with technology.

This is a computer:

Central
Monitor
Processing
Unit (CPU)

Mouse

Keyboard

3
Monitor
Every computer has a monitor. The size of the computer screen is
expressed in inches. The standard size of a computer screen is 17 inches.
A larger screen always makes it easier to see the small elements, such as
screens measuring 19 inches or more. New monitors are referred to as
“flat screens”. Flat screens use less space and electricity.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

The central processing unit, or system unit, is basically a box that stores
the computer’s brain. The CPU tells the computer ‘how’ to work properly.

Disk or CD-ROM Drive (Storage)

We will discuss different types of storage: Floppy disks, CD-ROM and SD

Cards.

A floppy disk is a somewhat floppy coated disk housed

inside a plastic case about the size of a square beverage
coaster. When the floppy is inserted into the appropriate
slot in the computer, it is used to store files. After saving
a file on the floppy, the disk can be removed and used on another
computer. It can also serve as a backup for files on the computer’s hard
drive. Floppy disks only hold 1 mega byte (MB) of storage and many newer
computers systems do not have a slot for them anymore. Travel/Flash
drive are more popular and fit into the USB slot of the computer.

CD-ROM’s are silvery plastic disks that look just like music CD’s.
Application software (programs) usually come written on these. Special

4
kinds of CD’s (CD-R & CD-RW) can be used to store large amounts of data.
Most CD-Rom’s can store around 700-800 MB of data.

CD-R is a CD that is writable one time. A CD-RW is a CD that is re-

writable, many times. CD’s are excellent for storing photos, music, or
backing up your files on your computer.

SD Cards are another storage disk. The SD (Secure Digital) Memory Card
is a highly-sophisticated memory device about the size of a postage
stamp. The most popular usage for SD Cards is for digital cameras.

1 Megabyte (MB) = Piece of Paper

1 Gigabyte (GB) = Ream of Paper
1 Terabyte (TB) = Pallet of Paper

Type of Storage Storage Amount

1.4 MB

3 ¼” diskette

700-800MB
CD-ROM

512 MB – Up to 16GB
USB Travel/Flash Drive

512 MB – Up to 16GB
SD Card
5
USB
USB stands for "Universal Serial Bus." USB is the most common type of
computer port used in today's computers. It can be used to connect
keyboards, mice, game controllers, printers, scanners, digital
cameras, and removable media drives, just to name a few. USB
is usually located in the front of the computer or the back of
the computer.

Keyboard

The keyboard is one of the primary input devices for entering data into
the computer.

6
Enter Key

The enter key is usually marked “Enter”

“Enter”; however, sometimes it is labeled
with only a large arrow or referred to as the “return”
key. The enter key now holds two functions
functions: It allows us
to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line, and
it is used to enter commands
commands.. It can also be used instead
instea
of clicking buttons, we call that keyboard shortcuts.
Some keyboard
ard shortcuts are listed in the keyboard shortcut section of
this manual.

The other “Enter” key is located by the numeric keypad. The numeric
keypad is very similar to how a calculator is set up. The enter key on the
numeric pad also functions the same as the other enter key.

Space Bar

The space bar is used to insert a blank space.

Backspace Key

The backspace key will remove or delete the characters to the left of the
cursor.. Pressing and releasing the key will delete multiple
characters. Holding the backspace down will erase very
quickly.. Be careful you may erase more than intended.

Delete Key

The delete key is used to delete in various ways. It will remove

move
characters to the right of the cursor one at a time by
pressing and releasing. Also, like the backspace key, it can

7
be used to erase large amounts of text by the highlighting and pressing
the delete key.

Shift Key

The shift key has two functions. When you press the
shift key at the same time as an alphabet key,
key the
alphabetical will appear as an upper case letter. When you
press the shift key at the same time as one of the
number keys at the top of the keyboard that includes
symbols, it will type the symbols, such as $ and #.

Caps Lock

The caps lock is used for multiple capital letters. It is a turn

on or turn off feature.

Tab

The tab key is another key with two functions. It is used to

indent as well as to move from field to field (or text box to
text box) when filling out forms on the computer.

8
Escape Key

The ESC key is located at the top left corner of your keyboard.
Sometimes
etimes when we click by accident and a menu box will
appear, you can use the ESC key to make it go away. Your
other option is to merely click away from the menu box using
your mouse.

Control Key

The Ctrl key is used in combination with other keys in

instead of the menu
bar.. For example, Ctrl+
Ctrl+SS will save a current document or
file and Ctrl+P will print the current file or document. See
keyboard shortcuts in the keyboard shortcut section of
this manual
manual.

Alt Key

Like the Ctrl key, the Alt key is another combination for
menu short cuts. For example, Alt + F will open the File
Menu or Alt + E will open the edit menu.

Windows Key

The windows key is located between the Ctrl and Alt keys. This button
will open your start menu in windows
windows.

9
Arrow Keys

The arrow keys are usually in a grouping between the

numeric and main keys. They are beneficial to move the page
up and down and move the cursor around in some programs.

Numeric Keypad

Most computer keyboards have a numeric keypad on the rig

right hand side
of the keyboard. The keypad has a number of keys as well as other
functions like arrows and page up/down. The numeric pad is controlled by
a toggle key marked Num Lock. When the Num Lock is on, the keys
functions for entering numbers. When the Num Lock is off, the functions
listed below the numbers can be used. The numeric keypad also includes
other useful functions, such as the period, slash, plus and minus signs.

10
Keyboard Shortcuts

Task Command
Copy CTRL
CTRL+c TIP
TIP:
Cut CTRL+
CTRL+x
Paste CTRL+
CTRL+v Hold CTRL Key and
Undo CTRL+
CTRL+z Letter Key down at
Delete right of the Delete the same time.
cursor
Delete left of the Delete
cursor
Close the Current ALT+
ALT+F4 (function
Window key)

Activate the Menu F10 (function key) or

Bar in Programs ALT
ALT-(underscored
letter)
Show the Start CTRL
CTRL-Esc
Menu
Switch to another ALT+
ALT+Tab (repeat as
Window necessary)

Helpful when Ctrl+Alt+Delete

Computer freezes
and will bring up the
computer shut down
option

11
Mouse

Along
long with the keyboard, the mouse is one of the primary input devices
used with today's computers. The computer
omputer mouse is
available in a wide variety types and colors. The mouse’s
mouse
main function is to “click”. Each mouse has a left and right
button. The left button is for “double
“double-click”
click” and “click, hold
and drag”. The right button is “right
“right-click”.

TIP:

• Hold the mouse gently with your index finger

resting on the left button.
• Your
ur thumb is resting on the side.
• Hold the flat part of your hand lightly on top of
the mouse.
• Let your wrist rest on the tabletop.

12
 Exercise #1:

1. Turn the Computer On. You should see a “green” light somewhere
indicating the computer is on.
2. Turn the monitor on.
3. Give the Computer time to “boot
“boot”.
4. To turn the Computer Off
Off, Windows has to go through a “Shut
Down”
5. Using your mouse, scroll over and put the pointer arrow on the
“Start” and click once.

6. Scroll your mouse over the “Shut Down” area and click once.
7. Scroll your mouse over the “Turn Off” area and click once.

8. Wait for computer to shutdown.

9. Turn computer back on (Step 1), for the rest of class.

13
 Exercise #2:
Mousing

The purpose of this exercise is to practice your mousing.

1. Click with the right mouse button somewhere on the Desktop

computer screen.
2. Click with the left mouse button on Properties
3. Click with the left mouse button on Cancel.
4. Click with the right mouse button on the icon MyComputer
5. Click with the left mouse button on Open.
6. Click with the left mouse button on the hard disk.
7. Teacher will walk everyone through using Solitare.

14
 Exercise #3:

Keyboarding

For this exercise, you will need to use WordPad. WordPad is pre-installed
pre
on each computer and is a basic word processor.

1. Using your mouse, click on Start.

2. Click on All Programs
Programs. Hint: Use your
3. Click on Accessories
Accessories. mouse - Left-Click
Once
4. Click on WordPad.
You should now see a blank screen that looks similar to this:

5. Click in the white space area to start typing.

6. Type the following text:

15
 My Name is _______. My teacher’s name is April. (Hint: use the
space bar between words and sentences.)

7. Move the cursor to the end of the first sentence.

8. Now make a new empty line by using the “Enter” key.
9. Move the cursor to the end of the second sentence.
10. Type the following text:

I will learn more about the computers in this class.

11. In the last sentence, erase the word “the”. (Hint: use the delete or
backspace key to erase the word).

16
Glossary

Application software

Software that helps the user do useful or entertaining things - like write
letters, browse the Web, send email, track expenses, and play games.
Examples: Word, Excel, Quicken.

Boot

Term used when the computer is turned on and goes through its
sequences of programming commands.

Browser

A software application which displays Websites and simplifies navigating

(browsing) among the many available sites. Examples: Internet Explorer,
FireFox or Chrome.

CD-ROM

These are the silvery plastic disks that look just like music CD’s.
Application software (programs) usually come written on these. Special
kinds of CD’s (CD-R, & CD-RW) can be used to store large amounts of
data. Most CD-Rom’s can store around 700-800 MB of data.

CPU (sometimes referred to as System Unit)

The part of the computer that is box-like, usually the size of a medium to
large briefcase, with slots for disks and connectors on the back. Inside
this box are the microprocessor, disk drives and other elements that
work together to do the actual computing.

17
E-mail

E-mail is a way to communicate, almost instantly, with people anywhere in

the world at low or no cost. Text, pictures, sound, and video can be sent
via email.

Floppy Disk

This is a somewhat floppy coated disk housed inside a plastic case about
the size of a square beverage coaster. When the floppy is inserted into
the appropriate slot in the system unit, it is used to store files. After
saving a file on the floppy, the disk can be removed and used on another
computer. It can also serve as a backup for files on the computer’s hard
drive. Floppy disks only hold 1 MB of storage.

Hard disk (or Hard Drive)

This is like the computer’s file cabinet. In nearly all cases, it is

permanently installed in the system unit and stores both the software the
computer uses and the data files the user creates. In order to take a file
and use it on a different computer, you must copy the file from the hard
disk to a floppy disk or, in some cases, send it to the other computer
across a network.

Keyboard

This is organized like a regular typewriter keyboard and has some extra
keys for special functions. It attaches to the system unit with a cord,
bluetooth, or wireless.

18
Monitor (or display)

The monitor is the part of the computer that looks like a small TV and
shows you what is going on. Usually it has 2 cords: one for electrical
power and the other for connecting to the system unit.

Mouse

This device is about the size of a pack of cigarettes and allows the
computer user to select from options displayed on the screen. By sliding
the mouse around on a flat surface (usually a thin foam pad) the user
moves a pointer on the screen. When the tip of the pointer is positioned
over the desired item, the user clicks the mouse (a single or double click)
to select the item. The mouse connects by a single cord, Bluetooth or
wireless to the system unit.

Network

When you have two or more computers connected to each other, you have
a network. The purpose of a network is to enable the sharing of files and
information between multiple systems.

Operating System

Software that orchestrates the interactions between the computers’s

various parts (the keyboard, display, system unit, mouse, etc.). Examples
include Windows, Unix or MacOS for the Macintosh.

Program

Software which helps the user do useful or entertaining things like write
letters, browse the Web, send email, track expenses, play games.
Programs are also referred to as applications.

19
RAM

This is where your computer keeps the information it is currently using at

the moment. RAM stands for Random Access Memory. Information is
kept here only as long as it is needed by the application (software) running
on the computer.

Save

To save your work on the computer means to store it on a disk (hard disk,
floppy disk, CD-ROM, travel/flash drive) so that it is available for
retrieval later. System malfunctions can wipe out text or work that has
been entered but not saved, so it’s a good idea to save your work often –
perhaps every 15 minutes. Even though you may not have finished, saving
your work locks in the progress you’ve made.

Software

Software is what makes it possible for us to effectively use computers.

There are two major functions or types of software. The first deals with
the interactions between the various parts (the keyboard, display, system
unit, mouse, etc.). This type is called operating system software
(examples are Windows, Unix or MacOS for the Macintosh). The second
function or type of software helps the user do useful or entertaining
things like write letters, browse the Internet, send email, track expenses,
play games, and so on. Software packages of this second type are often
referred to as programs or applications.

System Unit (sometimes referred to as CPU)

The part of the computer that is box-like, usually the size of a medium to
large briefcase with slots for disks and connectors on the back. Inside

20
this box are the microprocessor, disk drives and other elements that
work together to do the actual computing.

USB

Stands for "Universal Serial Bus." USB is the most common type of
computer port used in today's computers. It can be used to connect
keyboards, mice, game controllers, printers, scanners, digital cameras, and
removable media drives, just to name a few.

Windows

Windows is like a combination translator, conductor and helper. Windows

is operating system software that allows the various parts of the
computer to work together and it also is the go between that allows the
user to start and stop the computer and its programs easily and correctly.

21
Need extra computer time?

The Leon County Library has computers are available for public use during
regular library hours on a first-come, first served basis. Each patron is
given 2 - one hour sessions on Internet computers. Printing is available
and shall be limited to a reasonable amount.

The Tallahassee Senior Center has computers available for seniors use
during regular hours. For additional information call: 891-4000.

Additional Resources
Computer History - http://www.computerhistory.org/

Local Library – http://www.leoncountyfl.gov/LIBRARY

Technology Dictionary - http://www.techterms.com/

Mouse Practices – http://www.pbcibrary.org/mousing/

References:
2007. Stuur, Addo. Windows XP for Seniors. ISBN: 978-90-5905-044-0.
Http://visualsteps.com

Resources provided by the Tallahassee Senior Center Computer Lab.

2002. City of Seattle. Training Manual – Seniors Training Seniors in

Technology. Retrieved August 1, 2009, from
http://www.seattle.gov/tech/seniors/toc.htm Special thanks to City of
Seattle for allowing permission to use content from their Seniors Training
Manual series.

22