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Introduction to Computers:
Working with the Mouse and Keyboard

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:

The specific learning objective of these two courses is to prepare students to use the mouse, keyboard and scroll-bar well enough to navigate the Internet Course.

As result of this class students should know that computers are being used in huge numbers by senior citizens and other non-business users. They should be reassured that anyone can learn computers. They should come away from this first course with the understanding of how to use the mouse and keyboard, but be convinced that in order to take on Course #2 and Course #3 they will have to practice those mouse and keyboard abilities. Course #1 and Course #2 should be similar and dovetail into each other. That will reinforce the skills they are learning that will allow them to surf the Net.

TOPICS

• Overview and Introductions

  (absolutely crucial that the students get the chance to tell who they are and that they have a chance to say why they are taking the course. Maybe a good additional question would be to ask them if they have a computer at home)

• What are Computers?

  We could specify what this would be, but it should be at 5 minutes or less.

• Computer Terminology

  My handout could be further edited. Otherwise, the use of this handout is meant to be for Questions or other parts of the three courses. There will be times when it's good to answer a question by going to this 6-page dictionary.

• Parts of the Computer

  This should be less than 10 minutes and SHOULD NOT include the internal parts of the CPU.

• How to Use the Mouse

  Simplicity is crucial - demonstrate how to hold. Use a flip chart if possible. Then start with just moving the mouse with no clicking. Then do just clicking without moving. Then, moving and clicking.........you get the idea.

• Start Using the Keyboard

  This has to stay so simple. Use WordPad. If mouse skills are taught correctly, they will be able to go to START, PROGRAMS, ACCESSORIES, and start the WordPad program. It would be great if the default text size for WordPad could be changed to 20 or 24 for these exercises. Microsoft Word should not be used at this point (if at all in these first courses). All that we will do here is to show how to type into the computer.

• The Most Important Keys

  These are SPACE BAR, ENTER, SHIFT, CAPS LOCK, BACKSPACE, DELETE and the ARROW KEYS. That is all, don't even consider the F keys. Do not try to explain Control, Alt, Delete, or any "keyboard commands."

• Play Games!

  Introduce them to Solitaire. If some sort of mouse game or keyboard game could be found, that would be great. However, I have asked and few people know of any. At this point in the course Internet games are not an option, because we will not go on the Internet until Course #3.

• Questions & Answers

• Homework Assignment

• Class Evaluation
  The class evaluation CANNOT be an online evaluation for this or Course #2. The current online evaluation is just way too long. This should be redesigned and should be on paper for the first two classes.

HANDOUTS - The 6-page Dictionary of Terms
Suan's Class #2 Handout so that they can use with homework

HOMEWORK - Play Solitaire and type around in the computer - Play!

Note: The Big Turn Off
Show students how to correctly shut down their computers.

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