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

Keyboard ................................................................................................................................. 7

Mouse ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Exercise #1: ......................................................................................................................... 14

Exercise #2: ........................................................................................................................ 15

Exercise #3: ........................................................................................................................ 16

Glossary ................................................................................................................................. 18

Additional Resources.......................................................................................................... 26

References: .......................................................................................................................... 26

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.

4
CD-ROM’s are 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.

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

5
 512 MB – Up to 16GB
USB Travel/Flash Drive

512 MB – Up to 16GB
SD Card

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.

6
Keyboard

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

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: Itt 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
d of clicking
buttons, we call that keyboard shortcuts. Some keybo
keyboard
ard shortcuts
are listed in the keyboard shortcut section of this manual.
manual

7
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
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 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.

8
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.

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.

9
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.

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.

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.

10
Numeric Keypad

Most computer keyboards have a numeric keypad on the 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.

11
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

12
Mouse

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

13
 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”.
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.

14
 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.

15
 Exercise #3:

Keyboarding

For this exercise, you will need to use WordPad. WordPad is pre-
pre
installed 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:

16
 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).

17
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.

AOL

AOL, short for America Online, provides both Internet Access and
special content to its subscribers for a monthly fee.
(http://www.aol.com)

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.

18
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.

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.

Excel

A software application designed to aid in processing numerical

information (accounting, technical/engineering, financial planning,
etc.) in a spreadsheet format.

19
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.

Internet (or “the Net”)

The Internet is a global network of computers, connected together

24 hours a day, 7 days a week. These computers store large
amounts of information, and the networks can transmit that
information extremely quickly. This makes the Internet an amazing
information and communications resource.

20
ISP

Short for Internet Service Provider. Internet Service Providers

provide Internet access to people (for a monthly fee). Popular ISP’s
are Comcast or a local phone company using a digital subscriber line
(DSL).

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.

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.

21
MSN

Short for Microsoft Network, a dial-up ISP and content provider on

the Web

Network

On-line

When someone is online, it usually means the person is operating a

computer that is connected to the Internet (permanently or via a
temporary, telephone line connection or high-speed access). An
online resource is a resource that can be accessed via the Internet.

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.

22
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.

Search Engine

A special type of Website that allows you to search for particular

types of Websites and then access those Websites easily. Most
popular is Google (http://www.google.com).

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

23
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 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.

The Web (or World Wide Web)

A collection of linked documents that reside on computers

permanently connected to the Internet. These documents all share
a format which allows them to be linked to each other, and it is this
linking which allows users to quickly see lots and lots of related

24
information and to find information, pictures, sound and video on
almost any subject.

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.

Word

A software application used for creating documents (letters,

stories, books, etc.)

Yahoo

Yahoo is a specialized Website that allows the visitor to search for

Websites directly or by browsing through a variety of categories.

25
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.

26