Computer Basics Handouts:
Computer Basics
Prepared by Christine Anning June 2011
Modified by Emilie Hanson March 2012
St. Catherine University, MLIS Department
2004 Randolph Ave, St Paul MN 55105
www.stkate.edu/academic/mlis/
[email protected]
Lesson 1 Handouts - Computer Basics: A Computer Internet Course for Older Adults
HANDOUT 1A: LESSON GOALS
During this lesson, you will:
____ 1 Learn basic computer terms
____ 2 Learn about folders, menus and windows
____ 3 Practice using the mouse
Module 1 - Handouts: Computer Basics ! ! H-2
Course adapted from National Institute on Aging (2007)
Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online. Retrieved from www.nia.nih.gov
Lesson 1 Handouts - Computer Basics: A Computer Internet Course for Older Adults
HANDOUT 1B: COMPUTER TERMS
Part I Computer Terms
3. Monitor
6. Speakers
1. Computer
4. Mouse
5. Mouse Pad
2. Keyboard
1. Computer or CPU (central processing unit)
The main part, or brains of a computer. The CPU interprets and carries
out program instructions.
2. Keyboard
The keys that operate the computer, very much like a typewriter, with extra
keys for special functions.
3. Monitor
The part of a computer system that contains the computer screen, where
information is displayed.
Module 1 - Handouts: Computer Basics ! ! H-3
Course adapted from National Institute on Aging (2007)
Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online. Retrieved from www.nia.nih.gov
Lesson 1 Handouts - Computer Basics: A Computer Internet Course for Older Adults
HANDOUT 1B: COMPUTER TERMS
Part I Computer Terms
4. Mouse
A small hand-held device that controls the position of the cursor on the
computer screen. Movements of the mouse correspond to movements of
the cursor. (See Cursor in Part II)
5. Mouse Pad
The pad on which you move the mouse.
6. Speakers
Devices that allow you to hear sound from the computer.
7. Hardware
The physical parts of a computer system.
8. Software
The instructions that tell the computer and computer networks what to do.
Software is installed inside the computer.
Module 1 - Handouts: Computer Basics ! ! H-4
Course adapted from National Institute on Aging (2007)
Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online. Retrieved from www.nia.nih.gov
Lesson 1 Handouts - Computer Basics: A Computer Internet Course for Older Adults
HANDOUT 1B: COMPUTER TERMS
Part II More Computer Terms
9. Desktop
The information that appears on the computer soon after the computer is
turned on. The desktop contains a number of icons, or images, that you
can click on to start programs.
10. Icon
Desktop Screen
A small picture or image
representing a command (such
Icon
as print), a file, or a program.
When you click or double-click
on an icon, you start a
command, open a file, or
Folder icon
launch a program.
11. Folder(s)
Similar to storing files in a physical file cabinet, you store computer files,
such as documents or pictures, in a folder. To open a folder you double-
click on the folder icon with the left mouse button. When you open a folder
its contents will appear in a window (see term #16).
Module 1 - Handouts: Computer Basics ! ! H-5
Course adapted from National Institute on Aging (2007)
Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online. Retrieved from www.nia.nih.gov
Lesson 1 Handouts - Computer Basics: A Computer Internet Course for Older Adults
HANDOUT 1B: COMPUTER TERMS
Part II More Computer Terms
12. Cursor
A small image on the screen indicating where you are pointing; the mouse
controls the movements of the cursor. The cursor can appear in different
forms, including:
Indicates where your mouse
Arrow
is positioned on the screen
Marks a place on the screen
I-beam (often blinking) where you can enter or
select text.
Indicates that the computer
is doing a task. You must
Moving circle or hourglass wait until it disappears
before proceeding.
Indicates that you are
hovering over a link, which
Pointing hand
when clicked opens a
website window.
Module 1 - Handouts: Computer Basics ! ! H-6
Course adapted from National Institute on Aging (2007)
Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online. Retrieved from www.nia.nih.gov
Lesson 1 Handouts - Computer Basics: A Computer Internet Course for Older Adults
HANDOUT 1B: COMPUTER TERMS
Part II More Computer Terms
13. Browser
Software, such as Mozilla Firefox, Internet Explorer, Google Chrome or
Safari are used to access the web (web defined in Lesson 2).
14. Clicking
Pressing and releasing a button on a mouse to select or activate the area
on the screen where the cursor is pointing.
Right mouse button
Usually, you click on the left side of
the mouse (called a left click). For
more advanced functions, you click
on the right side of the mouse
Lef
tm
called a right click). ou
se
bu
tto
n
Module 1 - Handouts: Computer Basics ! ! H-7
Course adapted from National Institute on Aging (2007)
Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online. Retrieved from www.nia.nih.gov
Lesson 1 Handouts - Computer Basics: A Computer Internet Course for Older Adults
HANDOUT 1B: COMPUTER TERMS
Part III More Computer Terms
15. Menu
The menu bar contains commands that you select to make choices in a
program.
Menu
Bar
16. Window(s)
A framed area of a computer screen that appears in front of the desktop.
Sometimes the appearance of a window means that you have entered
another website or it may mean you are still on the same website. You can
have multiple windows open at a time. The active window moves to the
front of the others. Click on the minimize button to hide a window, often
indicated by an underscore (_) or minus sign (-) in a top corner. The
window disappears, but you can bring the window back by clicking on its
button in the task bar (see diagram).
Module 1 - Handouts: Computer Basics ! ! H-8
Course adapted from National Institute on Aging (2007)
Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online. Retrieved from www.nia.nih.gov
Lesson 1 Handouts - Computer Basics: A Computer Internet Course for Older Adults
Maximize
Minimize
Button
Button
Inactive
Window
Active
Window
Task
Bar
Minimized Window
Module 1 - Handouts: Computer Basics ! ! H-9
Course adapted from National Institute on Aging (2007)
Helping Older Adults Search for Health Information Online. Retrieved from www.nia.nih.gov
