BASIC COMPUTER TUTORIAL

Learning basic information about computers.

LEARNING GOALS:

 Describe why computers are important

 Explain how computers work
 Explain the difference between computer hardware and computer software
 Describe operating system is
 Identify the operating system you have on your own computer and phone
 Explain office productivity and communications software
 Start up and shut down computers properly
 Use the mouse and keyboard to complete tasks on the computer
 Identify the different groups of keys on the computer
 Create, open, save and manage files and folders

A. IMPORTANCE OF COMPUTER
a. Use in car, kitchen, our stores and in our workplaces.
b. They are used to communicate, to play, and to make everyday tasks easier.
c. Keep in touch with friends and family via Internet.
d. Complete common tasks more quickly.
e. Help in paying bills or find information on health or other topics.
f. Can help reach goals like finding a job and improving a career.

B. WHAT IS A COMPUTER? – Piece of equipment that needs electricity or battery power. The computer
does the following for you.

4 basic functions that make up the information processing cycle:

 Input – data that you put into the computer

 Process – how your data changes
 Output – data that you can take off of your computer
 Storage – where data is stored

The way that the computer processes information is kind of like the way your own brain works.

 Input – what you take in through your eyes, ears and mouth & nose
 Processing – your brain
 Output – your verbal and written reactions
 Storage – what you save and where and what you throw away

C. WHY SHOULD YOU USE A COMPUTER?

 What types of things can you do on the computer?

 What kind of things do you want to do on a computer?
 Can you do these things without a computer?

D. 5 BASIC PARTS OF THE COMPUTER

1. INPUT:
a. MOUSE: The mouse lets you work with text and objects on the computer screen. You use the
mouse to:
i. Double Click
ii. Right Click
iii. Click and Drag
iv. Drag and Drop
b. KEYBOARD: The keyboard lets you put text and numbers into the computer.
i. Character Keys
ii. Backspace and Delete Keys
iii. Navigational Keys
iv. Modifier Keys
v. Function Keys

2. OUTPUT:
3. CENTRAL PROCESSING UNIT (CPU)
4. MEMORY: RAM (RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY) AND ROM (READ-ONLY MEMORY)
5. STORAGE: Hard-drive, CD/DVD, USB Drive, The Cloud

E. COMPUTER PROGRAMS
1. Operating System Software
2. Application Software
a. Office Productivity Software
b. Spreadsheet Software
c. Communications Software
d. Educational Software
e. Entertainment

F. FILE MANAGEMENT
a. Documents
b. Folders
c. Subfolders
d. Files
e. File Naming Conventions
f. File Types
g.