Introduction to Computing From the Richard Sugden Library Spencer, MA Jillian M. Parsons

My experience with computing Commodore 64 circa 1982 Math Camp Webmastering Masters of Science in Information Studies Reference work

Explanation of Handouts Slide handouts Handy list of websites Evaluation form Certificate

Points of Presentation The Desktop Windows Icons Folders Documents Toolbars The Start Button Navigation Taskbar

Points of Presentation Demonstrations: Turning on the Computer Using the mouse Cutting (and Copying) and Pasting Illustration of concepts earlier in the presentation Supervised practice time

The following is an example of what a desktop might look like … To Begin: The Computer Desktop

What are Windows? In this picture, the area highlighted in red is a window.

The Excel Icon The Photoshop Icon The PowerPoint Icon The Word Icon Icons These are examples of icons.

Icons Placing the cursor on the icon, and clicking (or double-clicking) a mouse, trackball or other button usually starts the function or program.

Folders This is an example of a file folder Folders hold documents, images and programs. Documents and such are arranged in a hierarchy of folders that the user creates. This allows users to organize their own information so they can easily retrieve their files.

Documents This is an example of a word document This is an example of a powerpoint document

Toolbars Toolbars are common in any software program. In the Windows environment, the most important toolbar is called the Task Bar.

The Taskbar Directly following the start button at the bottom of the screen, is the task bar. Its function is to let you know what windows you have opened. Clicking back and forth between windows is called “toggling.” There are two parts to the Taskbar.

The Start Button The Start Button is located on the lower left side of the screen You can use the start button to immediately access all programs and documents.

The Start Button: Navigation The Start button provides a short cut to these functions. There are more than a few shortcuts. You only need one way of getting from point A to point B until you are more comfortable finding things on your computer.

Summary Now you have examples of what a desktop looks like. You can identify several different components of a desktop computer: what an icon is, a document, and a file folder. You understand one easy way to navigate around the windows environment and retrieve information.

Questions?

Demonstration and Hands-On Practice

Turning on the computer Are you using a Mac or a PC? Are you using a desktop or a laptop? Where is the hard drive? Finding the big button

How to use the mouse: Mouserobics To Practice and to Play

To click or double click? Double Click on all icons. Single Click on everything else. When you are confused, double click…it won’t hurt anything.

When do I right click? Try it out. Right clicking brings up different menus, depending on what kind of document you are working on.

How to use the mouse: Clicking To Practice and to Play

Cutting and Pasting CUTTING Highlight area you wish to select. Right Click and choose “Cut”

Cutting and Pasting COPYING Highlight area you wish to select. Right Click and choose “Copy”

Cutting and Pasting PASTING After Cutting or Copying, put the cursor where you want to paste the text Right Click and choose paste.

Demonstration Icons The Start Button Navigation The Taskbar Cutting and Pasting

To Practice and to Play Feel free to experiment with the computers here and ask me any questions you have!