RWANDA HEALTH INFORMATION EXCHANGE
BASIC COMPUTER SKILLS TRAINING - 2013
HOW TO USE A COMPUTER
1. The Parts……………………..3-9
2. Actions………………………..10
3. Ubuntu Desktop………..…..11-15
4. Web Browser….…………….16
5. Practice………………………17
WHY WE USE COMPUTERS
Helps us better serve our patients by saving time
 Eventually all health centers in Rwanda will use
computers
 Computer notes are easier to read than
handwriting

1. THE PARTS
Cursor
Mouse
You control the mouse,
which controls the
cursor on your screen.
The cursor allows you
select icons, folders,
files, etc…
When in a program where you can type to
enter information you will see this cursor. It
will be flashing and will show you where the
Cursor
letters will appear if you begin typing.
1. THE PARTS
The monitor is the
part of the
computer that
allows you to see
what you are
doing.
Monitor / Screen
1. THE PARTS
The PC tower turns
on the machine
1. THE PARTS
Barcode Scanner
The barcode scanner
allows you to scan the
patient code on the label
1. THE PARTS
5.
2.
1.
Keyboard
4.
3.
1.
Shift:
Enter:
Holding
When
typing
it allows
will
make
you toany
move
You this
usebutton
the
keyboard
to
letter
downyou
thetype
page.
a capital.
If
entering
It will
data
also
it may
Caps
lock:
A permanent
state
of the
input
data
into
the
Space
bar:
Inserts
a
space
when
hit.
allow
submit
you
information.
to type
thebut
character
located
shift
button,
forcharacter
letters
only. Will
Backspace:
Removes
the
computer.
above
another.
Nocapital
shift:
4, Shift:
$. No
typetointhe
all
directly
left
of letters.
the
cursor.
shift: /, Shift: ?. You have to hold it
while you type that character.
1. THE PARTS
Printer
A printer allows you to turn
an electronic document into
a hard copy.
2. ACTIONS
Right Click
Left Click
Left click is the most
common action. It
selects the item
under the cursor.
Right click brings
up a menu related
to the item under
the cursor.
Double clicking involves quickly doing two left
clicks in a row. This action is used to open
folders and files or to launch programs from an
icon.
1. THE PARTS
Window
Directory
Increase/decrease
window size
Send to taskbar
(minimize)
Close window
Scroll bar:
allows you to scroll up
and down the page
Directory: shows you which folders you have entered.
Taskbar: The area at the bottom of the screen that allows
you to see the programs that are running but that are not
visible on the screen.
Icons
Icons can be files, folders, or
programs. You must double click an
icon to open it.
Internet
Battery connectivity
Volume
life
Programs
Keeping your mouse over a
menu item with an arrow
beside will open a nested
menu. A second menu that
shows related items.
Your open windows will be displayed on the task
bar. To bring up any of these windows you left
click on the desired one.
4A. PROGRAMS – UBUNTU
Ubuntu allows you to navigate your computer. Documents,
pictures, videos, and music are all kept here. These are
icons. Double clicking one will open it and show you the files
and folders it contains.
Documents can be opened by either finding the icon
on the desktop or locating it in the start menu.
4A. PROGRAMS – UBUNTU
Folders contain files. You must double click a folder icon to
see its contents. You must double click a file to open it.
The column titled “type” will show you if the icon is a
folder or a file.
4B. PROGRAMS – MOZILLA FIREFOX
Tabs
Web address bar
Search bar
Menu
You can type a website into the web address bar to go there
(www.google.ca). You can search something by typing into the
search bar. Tabs allow you to have two or more webpages open in
one window. The menu allows you to print, save, and perform
other tasks.
PRACTICE

Type the following:
 Your name
 Date of birth
 Health center name
 Sector, Cell, Umudugudu