BASIC COMPUTER LITERACY
•Basic Terminology
•Basic operation
•Computer Uses, Terms, Ethics, Com
ponents & Applications
•Windows Basic Computing skills
•Computer Literacy Resources for Ad
ult Literacy Learners
Computer
– An electronic device for storing and
processing data...according to
instructions…
● Hardware
– The physical components of a computer
● Software
– The non-physical, information handling
parts of a computer Hardware
● Central Processing Unit (CPU)
– The “brain” of the computer
● Monitor
– A screen used to display what's going on
● Mouse
– A device that can be used to move around the
computer screen
– Trackpad: A rectangular device that acts like a
mouse. Usually seen on laptops
● Keyboard
– A device used to input text
Software
● Operating System
– The underlying software that runs all of the computer
hardware and software
– e.g. Windows 7, Mac OS X
● Desktop
– Essentially the computer’s “home” view. First screen
you see once you log into the computer
● Program/App
– A piece of software designed to accomplish a specific
task
– e.g. Microsoft Word, Microsoft Powerpoint, Internet
Explorer
HISTORY
Desktop
Two common cursor shape
Start Menu
CPU
Mouse
Computer Uses, Terms, Ethics, Components & Applications
Section One: Current Uses of Computers in Daily Life/Education & Workplace
Computers help businesses, schools, and individuals at home to operate more efficiently. This
efficiency can take the form of working more quickly, more accurately, or even in ways not
previously conceived possible.
Computers are impacting our society greatly. Buying groceries at the supermarket and using an
automatic banking machine require using computers. The ability to communicate from one
computer to another is changing the way people live, study, and work.
Today, knowing how to use a personal computer is a basic skill that is becoming part of the
literacy picture. In an increasing way, more information is available to us now via computers, so
it is important to know how to access it. New applications are being developed every day for
using computers. Technology has a new success story in the “computer.”
Computers are used to gather, analyse, and reproduce information in organized formats. They
have the capacity to store vast amounts of data in small areas and reproduce that information
when it is needed. Almost fifty years ago, the few computers in existence were large, expensive
machines used mostly for scientific purposes. But how the times have changed! They sit in
offices, factories, homes, schools, hospitals, banks, and retail department stores.
In the home, computers can monitor and control security systems, record your personal banking
& financial matters, and keep a daily agenda of your time schedule for appointments and
reminders.
In the schools, computers are being introduced in the primary levels to familiarize
our children with a new visual aid that presents the materials in an attractive way.
Having grown up watching a television screen, many children adapt easily to
viewing the computer monitor. New educational software is continually being
developed to supplement academic learning curriculum at various grade levels. High schools and
colleges are training students in actual application programs such as word processing, database,
spreadsheets, and desktop publishing.
In the workplace, computers are part of the automation that is replacing manpower because of
their speed in performance. Computers have moved aside the need of older office equipment and
are being implemented in industrial and manufacturing applications, as well as drafting and
design work. Computers are employed in the fields of engineering, aviation, communications,
and health services, to name but a few areas. Qualified specialists are now working as computer
programmers, computerized accounting clerks, computer technicians, and computer software
analysts. The changing face of the workplace is demanding new courses in computers for various
needs as they arise.
[Link]
istory_timeline.html