Basic Computer Skills: Lesson 1
The Mouse, the Keyboard, and the Desktop
Course Description
Lesson 1: The Mouse, the Keyboard, and the Desktop This session is designed to cover the
very basics of computer use to an audience who has never or rarely used computers. It is
important for instructors to focus on repetition of both basic vocabulary and skills.
Additionally, giving individuals confidence and encouragement to continue using
computers beyond this class is the goal of this lesson.
Learner Objectives
After completing this class, the student will be able to:
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Understand how computers impact their daily life. that computers are part of
everyday life and the need to use them will be more commonplace
Identify major components of a computer (monitor, keyboard, mouse, CPU)
Understand the basics about how computers work
Differentiate between hardware & software
Turn a computer on
Identify the desktop
Use & understand different mouse functions
Understand basics of “Windows”
Use the start menu
Use the task bar
Manage “Windows”
Differentiate between logging off and shutting down a computer
Handouts
Handouts for the Basic Computer Skills class are from the Community Workshop Series at
the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Libraries (Carrboro Cybrary, Chapel Hill
Public Library, and Durham County Public Library). These handouts are updated on a
regular basis and are available for download at:
http://www.lib.unc.edu/cws/handouts/Computer_Basics.pdf
Skills List
The skills list for this module is based on the Basic Computer Handouts and lessons from
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics.
Task
Understanding Computer Basics
Completed
Pre
Post
I understand the two basic parts of the computer
I understand the operating system and what it does
I know what an application is and some common applications to use for the
things I want to do (word processing, web, games, etc.)
I know what is meant by “cloud” computing and web applications
Mastering the Mouse
I can move the mouse around on the screen.
I can drag and drop an icon into the trash
I can double-click to open a program or document.
I can move an icon around on my desktop.
I can “right-click” with my mouse to bring up a menu
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Keyboard Components
I know what the Control, Shift and Function Keys do
I know what the Escape key does
I know the functions of the alphanumeric keys
I know the function of the cursor control keys (arrows, delete, page,)
I know what the Enter Key is used for
Desktop Basics
I can turn on the computer
I know the Desktop Components
I know the icons in the Task Bar
I can access the Start Menu
I can add a gadget to the Windows Sidebar
I know the basic components of a computer
Start Menu (Windows 7)
I open a program
I can pin a button to the task bar
I can see all programs on my computer
I can see the drives on “My Computer”
I can open the Control Panel
I can Adjust my Desktop Display
I can add a Gadget to my desktop
I can search for a program, document, or file
I can use “Help” and find an answer to my question
Teaching Guide
Lesson 1: The Very Basics—Mouse, Keyboard, and Desktop Preview
Class sign in
Sign-in Sheet
Photo Release
Introductions
Instructor Intro
Student Introduction:
 Name
 Why you are taking this class
 What you hope to learn
Schedule for our sessions. Each week we will present
information and allow you to follow along and practice
skills.
 Don’t be afraid to ask questions
 There is A LOT to learn, but don’t be intimidated—
your interests and needs are different than “digital
natives”; be proud that you are a life-long learner.
Basic objectives for the class are to help you understand
that computers are part of our everyday life and give you
practice using a mouse, the keyboard, and understand the
desktop.
Video “What is a Computer”
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics.
 Computer: An electronic device that manipulates
information or “data.” 1’s and 0’s
 Personal Computer (PC): Any general-purpose
computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales
price make it useful for individuals.
 PC vs Mac: PCs are made by many different companies
and usually run the Microsoft Windows operating
system. Macs or Macintosh Computers are made by one
company (Apple) and operate Mac OS X (we’ll talk
more about that later)
Let’s take a look at some different computers (desktop,
laptop, netbook, tablets, servers, TVs, mobile phones, etc.
Practice: pass around iPads, tablets, show cell phones, the
TV, etc. and ask the challenge question:
Talk about this with the students—get them thinking about
our digital society and how everything uses computers.
Shopping, medical records, stop lights, grocery scanners,
government forms, connecting with family, running a
business, etc.
All computers mentioned above have two things: Hardware
and Software.
Hardware is anything physical—you can touch. Software is
a set of instructions that tells the computer what to do.
Show video Basic parts of a desktop computer:
http://www.gcflearnfree.org/computerbasics
Hardware Devices: Input, Output, Storage, and Processing.
Look at your computer—what devices “input” information?
(keyboard, monitor, cameras, etc.); what outputs
information? (screen/monitor, speakers, printer)
Instructor Reference Sheet
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Introductions
o Names
o Why they are taking this class and what they hope to get out of it.
Slide 4 Vocab
o Computer: An electronic device that manipulates information or “data.”
o Personal Computer (PC): Any general-purpose computer whose size,
capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals.
o PC vs Mac: PCs are made by many different companies and usually run the
Microsoft Windows operating system. Macs or Macintosh Computers are made
by one company (Apple) and operate Mac OS X.
Slide 5 Vocab
o Desktop: A personal computer in a form intended for regular use at a single
location like the top of a desk!
o Laptop (Notebook): A portable personal computer.
o Server: Serves and stores information to other computers. They also connect
many computers
o Tablet computer (Tablet): A one-piece mobile computer primarily operated by
touchscreen (the user’s finger).
o Smartphone: A mobile phone built on a mobile operating system with more
advanced capabilities than a standard cell phone.
Slide 6
o Computer activities: Communication, (Email, Social Networking) online
shopping, etc.
o Other reasons for learning how to use a computer
 Job postings/applications have moved online.
 Employers need well-trained workers—most jobs require increasing
levels of computer skills—to effectively compete with others around the
world.
 Access to technology that promotes the pursuit of productive and creative
interests enhances one’s quality of life.
 The Internet offers access to the online economy, community and
business resources, and social/civic engagement opportunities.
 Health care providers are increasingly using online tools to connect with
patients.
 To prosper in today’s information-based world requires access to the
world’s knowledge.
o How computers affect day to day activities?
 Computers control the stoplights when you drove to the library today.
 Grocery Store- Food scanners Was your food scanned into a computer
system?
Slide 7 (page 4 of handout)
o Hardware: Any part of your computer that has a physical structure, such as the
computer monitor or keyboard, speakers. You can touch hardware.
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o Software: The set of instructions that tells the hardware what to do. Examples of
software include word processing programs like MS Word, Web Browsers,
games and operating systems.
Slide 8 Parts of the Computer (page 8 & 9 of handout)
o Computer Case
o Monitor
o Keyboard
o Mouse
Slide 12 Parts of the Mouse
o Primary button (the left button)
o Secondary button (usually the right button). The primary button is the one you
will use most often.
o Most mice also include a scroll wheel between the buttons to help you scroll
through documents and webpages more easily.
Slide 13 Holding the Mouse
o Place your mouse beside your keyboard on a clean, smooth surface, such as a
mouse pad. Hold the mouse gently with your index finger resting on the primary
button and your thumb resting on the side. To move the mouse, slide it slowly in
any direction. Don't twist it—keep the front of the mouse aimed away from you.
As you move the mouse, a pointer (see picture) on your screen moves in the
same direction. If you run out of room to move your mouse on your desk or
mouse pad, just pick up the mouse and bring it back closer to you.
Slide 14 Clicking (page 10 of handout)
Slide 15 Software (page 11 of handout)
o An operating system is the most important software that runs on a computer. It
manages the computer's memory, processes, and all of its software and
hardware. It also allows you to communicate with the computer without
knowing how to speak the computer's "language." Without an operating system,
a computer is useless.
o Programs are also referred to sometimes as applications
Slide 16 The Desktop (page 7 & 12)
o Explain parts of the desktop. Use the analogy to an actual desk.
o The Start button: opens the Start menu. (page 12 of handout)
o Task Bar: almost always visible. It has three main sections:
Slide 17 Task: Open & Play solitaire. (open from desktop shortcut or start menu)
Slide 18 Managing Windows (page 13 of handout)
Slide 19 Shutting down the computer (page 15 of handout)
Quick Reference
Instruction Sheets
Class Evaluation
I hope you enjoyed the Basic Computer Skills class and that it met your expectations! To
help me improve course content and instruction, and to provide quality information to new
computer users, please complete this survey and provide your feedback to help improve
our UW-Extension offerings.
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This class met my expectations.
The content was easy to understand
The topics were covered in sufficient
detail
Learning resources and handouts were
useful and easy to understand.
Computer exercises were relevant and
reinforced learning.
The instructor was knowledgeable and
provided one-on-one help.
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course on a scale from 1 to 5, one being
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Please answer the following questions:
The best part of this basic computer skills training was:
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Please check any of the class topics below that would be of interest:
Microsoft Word (Word
Searching the
Facebook/Social Media
Processing)
Internet
Microsoft PowerPoint
Filling out Government
Photo Editing
(presentation)
Forms
Microsoft Excel (Spreadsheet)
Skype
Genealogy
Microsoft Publisher
(Graphics)
Additional Comments:
Digital Photography
Digital Photography