1. Top Five Visual Aid Assignment
By: Jennifer Rowe
Introduction to Computers
November 8, 2012
Jennifer Rowe

2. #1: Parts of a Computer Hardware of a modern computer: 1. Monitor
2. Motherboard
3. CPU
4. RAM
5. Expansion cards
6. Power supply
7. Optical disc drive
8. Hard disk drive
9. Keyboard
10. Mouse
This first lesson was very beneficial to me. Before starting this class I could not name a single part of a computer besides the monitor. Having the guest speaker come in and name all of the parts of the computer while taking it apart helped me greatly understand what each part did since I am a visual learner. This lesson will also be very beneficial to me in the future with my career as a surgical technologist. For example, if I need someone from IT to come fix my computer I want to be able to tell him/her on the phone which part is broken. This way I will sound more professional and have some idea of what I am talking about and what needs to be fixed.
Jennifer Rowe

3. #2: Google Search engine: sand sharks vs. “sand sharks” E-mail
Use of quotation marks while searching
Google docs: Homework letter for class
I have learned a lot that I did not know before about using google as a search engine and the many tools it has to offer; including, google docs, google accounts, maps, shopping, etc. By performing a random search using google you may not find as much information as you wanted, or that information may not be as focused as you wanted. For example, when searching google for information on sand sharks, it would help to but sand sharks in quotation marks. This tells the search engine to narrow your search down for articles only about sand sharks as opposed to searching for it without quotation marks around it and receiving information on sand and sharks. This tool has been helpful to me ever since we learned about it in class. You can also use google docs or the google drive to write and store papers, letters, etc. Google saves them for you on your account and you can pull them up from there. Everyone should have a google account. It is usefull for , composing/saving documents, searching the web, checking weather, shopping, maps, etc. The tools that google offers are seemingly endless. Before this class I only used google as a search engine and to check my , but now that I know what it is capable of, I use it more often. I use it to write papers for this class and for my surgical technology classes. It is a great tool to use to help you stay organized.
Citation:
Jennifer Rowe

4. #3: Microsoft Word Properly writing a business letter or memo
Shows professionalism
Example business letter: RoweBusinessLetterDoritos.docx
Before starting this class I used Word all of the time and knew a lot about it. What I did not know what how to properly format a business letter or a memo. These concepts will help me in the future with my career if I have to send out a letter or memo to another person in the operating room, another hospital, or anywhere else. The personal business letter should be formatted properly; including, being centered in the middle of the paper, followed by your address then skipping 2 spaces and the address of where you are sending it, after that you skip two more spaces and write your salutation. Then skip two more spaces and write the body of the letter followed by skipping 2 more spaces and a complimentary closing. Then skip 4 lines for a signature space and put your typed name on the letter. I want to be as professional as I can possible be in my career and knowing how to write a properly formatted letter will be a step in that direction.
Citations:
*Photos from
*Information from our class blackboard site
Jennifer Rowe

5. #4: Microsoft Excel
Data analysis and tools to help keep track of and highlight important data
Charts and graphs
Equations
Personal use/Work use
Example of how I used Excel: Rowe S Life Managers.xlsx
Before the lesson on Microsoft Excel, I did not know anything about it and had never used it before. I learned so much about this very useful tool and will continue to use it in the future. Excel is used for many reasons like if you want to make a chart, graph, or keep track of important information in a highly organized and visually appealing way. Excel can add, subtract, multiply, divide and do many other equations to make things more simple and to save you time. I may need to use this for my career in the future but I will definitely use it in my personal life. It will help me in running my football pool by keeping the information neat and organized, and can keep all of the numbers straight. I will also use it to make my monthly budgets on how much I am making at work, and how much I owe on my bills. Included in this slide is an example of how I have used Microsoft Excel.
Jennifer Rowe

6. #5: Ergonomics A safe and comfortable work environment
Keep your thighs parallel with the floor and your feet flat on the floor
The items you use most should be closest to you to prevent reaching
Place the monitor an arms length from you with the top line of text level with your eyes
This may have been a simple lesson, but I think it is very important. We should all know how to work comfortably and safelly. A lot of us have to be sitting all day long and this can quickly become uncomfortable and give you a sore back. I stand up a lot while I am at work, but when I do get a chance to sit down or I have work to do at a computer then I try to keep everything I learned from this lesson in mind. You want to try to keep your thighs parallel with the floor and your feet flat on the floor. Lean back in your chair and allow the backrest to do its job. The monitor should be about an arms length away from you and your eyes should be level with the top line of text on the monitor. You want to have the things on your desk arranged in a way that whatever you use to most often is the closest to you. When lifting a heavy item, you should lift with you knees instead of your back. I use this all the time during work. I always have to do heavy lifting, whether it’s a patient, or a box of supplies. This will prevent you from having to be reaching for items all of the time. This is all about comfort and making sure that you do not end up with problems in the future, like carpal tunnel or a sore back.
Citation: (ergonomics lesson)
Jennifer Rowe

7. Thank You!
Jennifer Rowe