HOW TO USE THIS COMPETENCY-BASED LEARNING MATERIAL

Welcome!
The unit of competency, “Perform Computer Operation” is one of the competencies
of Computer Systems Servicing NC II, a course that comprises the knowledge, skills
and attitudes required for a graduate of this course to possess.
The Module, Performing Computer Operation, contains training materials and
activities for you to complete.
You are required to go through a series of learning activities in order to complete
each learning outcome of the module. In each learning outcome, there are
Information Sheets, Self-Checks and Job Sheets. Follow these activities on your own
and answer the questions that are given. Then, ask for the answer key from your
instructor and check your work honestly. If you have questions, please don’t hesitate
to ask your facilitator for assistance.
This learning material was prepared to help you achieve the required
competency in Performing Computer Operation. This will be the source of
information for you to acquire the knowledge and skills in this particular module
independently and at your own pace with less supervision.
In doing the activities to be completed as required in this module, please be guided
by the following:
Talk to your trainer and agree on how you will both organize in taking this module.
Read through the module carefully.
Work through all information and complete the activities in each section. Read the
information sheets and complete the self-checks provided.
Most probably your trainer will also be your supervisor or manager. He/she is there
to support you and show you the correct way to do things. Ask for help.
Your trainer will tell you about the important things you need to consider when you
are completing the activities and it is important that you listen and take notes.
You will be given plenty of opportunities to ask questions and practice on the job.
Make sure to practice your new skills during regular work shifts. This way you will
improve both your speed and memory and also your confidence.
Use the Self-Check, and Task Sheets at the end of each section to test your own
progress. Use the performance Criteria Checklist or Procedural Checklist used after
the sheet to check your own performance. When you feel confident that you have
sufficient knowledge and skills, ask your instructor to evaluate you. The results of
your assessment will be recorded in your Progress Chart and Accomplishment
Chart.
You need to complete this module before you can perform the next common
competency module.
 MODULE CONTENT

QUALIFICATION : Computer Systems Servicing NC II

UNIT OF COMPETENCY : Inputting data into computer
MODULE TITLE : Input data into computer
NOMINAL DURATION : 12 hours

MODULE DESCRIPTOR:
This module covers the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to
perform computer operations which include inputting, accessing, producing and
transferring data using the appropriate hardware and software.

LEARNING COMPETENCY:
 Enter data into the computer using appropriate program/application in
accordance with company procedures
 Check the accuracy of information and save the information accordance with
standard operating procedure
 Store inputted data is in storage media according to requirements
 Perform work within ergonomic guidelines

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA:
 Data are entered into the computer using appropriate program/application in
accordance with company procedures.
 Accuracy of information is checked and information is saved in accordance
with standard operating procedures.
 Inputted data is stored in storage media according to requirements.
 Work is performed within ergonomic guidelines.

CONTENTS:
 Types of program/ application software
 Data processing
 Checking and saving information
 Storage devices
 Work ergonomic

CONDITIONS:
Learners must be provided with the following:
 Computer hardware with peripherals
 Appropriate software
 LEARNING EXPERIENCES

Learning Activities Special Instructions

Definition of Terms
Read Information Sheet 1.1 Read and understand the
information sheet provided and
browse to internet for more sample
Answer self-check 1.1
guide. Check yourself by answering
the self-check and by performing
Answer task sheet 1.1 the task sheet. You must complete
all the requirements before
proceeding to the next activity.
Reference/s
 https://www.scribd.com/document/458204727/CBLM-Operate-personal-computer-
final2-docx

Definition of Terms
Computer - A computer is a device that executes a program or programs.
CPU - The central processing unit or CPU, also known as the microprocessor or
Operating System –The operating system (OS) is the software that communicates
with the computer
Software – Software is a program application; which provides the computer with
step-by-step instructions to perform a specific task. A computer cannot function
without software.
Monitor - The computer monitor is computer screen or display unit. Types of
monitors are CRTs
Desktop - Is the display on the monitor/screen.
Icon - An icon is a small, clickable picture that opens programs on a computer.
Mouse - Is a hand held device that helps you control the pointer on the
desktop/screen.
Keyboard - Is the device used in typing in the words, numbers and to perform tasks.
CD (Compact Disc) & USB Flash Drive - used for storage of computer files or for
media
File - A file is a block of information includes word documents, pictures, music, etc.
Folder - The folder is a system that helps in organizing the files, programs and
projects on the computer. It is similar to organizing files on a shelf in your cabinet.
Hard Drive - The hard drive is the device where the information is stored.
Hardware - Is the physical pieces of a computer; monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer,
computer unit, scanner, etc.
Browser - The web browser is software that you use to access the internet/World
Wide Web
Networks - A network is a physical or logical construction that connects different
computers together and helps them communicate.

What Do You Need To Know?

Information Sheet 1.1
PROPER DISCUSSION
Inputting data into computer

Learning Objectives:
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, YOU MUST be able to:
1. Identify the major types of software
2. Give the importance of software
3. Change the desktop settings of your computer
Introduction
This unit covers the knowledge, skills, attitudes and values needed to perform
computer operations which include inputting, accessing, producing and transferring
data using the appropriate hardware and software.

Major Types of Software

Software is the means by which computer systems speak with computer users.
Software forms the heart of computer systems. What are the major types of
software? Read on to find out.

Software, by definition, is the collection of computer programs, procedures and

documentation that performs different tasks on a computer system. The term
'software' was first used by John Tukey in 1958. At the very basic level, computer
software consists of a machine language that consists of groups of binary values,
which specify processor instructions. The processor instructions change the state of
computer hardware in a predefined sequence. Briefly, computer software is the
language in which a computer speaks. There are different types of computer
software. What are their major types? Let us see.
Major Types of Software

Programming Software: This is one of the most commonly known and popularly

used forms of computer software. These software come in forms of tools that assist
a programmer in writing computer programs. Computer programs are sets of logical
instructions that make a computer system perform certain tasks. The tools that help
the programmers in instructing a computer system include text editors, compilers
and interpreters.

System Software: It helps in running the computer hardware and the computer
system. System software is a collection of operating systems; devise drivers,
servers, windowing systems and utilities. System software helps an application
programmer in abstracting away from hardware, memory and other internal
complexities of a computer. 

Application Software: It enables the end users to accomplish certain specific tasks.
Business software, databases and educational software are some forms of
application software. Different word processors, which are dedicated for specialized
tasks to be performed by the user, are other examples of application software.

Apart from these three basic types of software, there are some other well-known
forms of computer software like inventory management software, ERP, utility
software, accounting software and others. Take a look at some of them.

Inventory Management Software: This type of software helps an organization in

tracking its goods and materials on the basis of quality as well as quantity.
Warehouse inventory management functions encompass the internal warehouse
movements and storage. Inventory software helps a company in organizing inventory
and optimizing the flow of goods in the organization, thus leading to an improved
customer service.

Utility Software: Also known as service routine, utility software helps in the

management of computer hardware and application software. It performs a small
range of tasks. Disk defragmenters, systems utilities and virus scanners are some of
the typical examples of utility software.

Data Backup and Recovery Software: An ideal data backup and recovery software
provides functionalities beyond simple copying of data files. This software often
supports user needs of specifying what is to be backed up and when. Backup and
recovery software preserve the original organization of files and allow an easy
retrieval of the backed up data.

This was an overview of the major types of software. Computer software are widely
popular today and hence we cannot imagine a world of computers without them. We
would not have been able to use computers if not for the software. What is
fascinating about the world of computers is that it has its own languages, its ways of
communication with our human world and human interaction with the computers is
possible, thanks to computer software. I wonder, if the word 'soft' in ‘software’ implies
‘soft-spokenness’, which is an important quality of a pleasant communication

OPERATING SYSTEM
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

An operating system (OS) is software, consisting of programs and data, that

runs on computers, manages computer hardware resources, and provides common
services for execution of various application software. The operating system is the
most important type of system software in a computer system. Without an operating
system, a user cannot run an application program on their computer, unless the
application program is self booting.
For hardware functions such as input and output and memory allocation, the
operating system acts as an intermediary between application programs and the
computer hardware,[1][2] although the application code is usually executed directly by
the hardware and will frequently call the OS or be interrupted by it. Operating
systems are found on almost any device that contains a computer—from cellular
phones andvideo game consoles to supercomputers and web servers.
Examples of popular modern operating systems are: BSD, Linux, Mac OS
X, Microsoft Windows, and Unix.[3]

Types

Real-time
A real-time operating system is a multitasking operating system that aims at
executing real-time applications. Real-time operating systems often use specialized
scheduling algorithms so that they can achieve a deterministic nature of behavior.
The main objective of real-time operating systems is their quick and predictable
response to events. They have an event-driven or time-sharing design and often
aspects of both. An event-driven system switches between tasks based on their
priorities or external events while time-sharing operating systems switch tasks based
on clock interrupts.

Multi-user vs. Single-user

A multi-user operating system allows multiple users to access a computer
system concurrently. Time-sharing system can be classified as multi-user systems
as they enable a multiple user access to a computer through the sharing of time.
Single-user operating systems, as opposed to a multi-user operating system, are
usable by a single user at a time. Being able to have multiple accounts on a
Windows operating system does not make it a multi-user system. Rather, only the
network administrator is the real user. But for a Unix-like operating system, it is
possible for two users to login at a time and this capability of the OS makes it a multi-
user operating system.

Multi-tasking vs. Single-tasking

When a single program is allowed to run at a time, the system is grouped
under a single-tasking system, while in case the operating system allows the
execution of multiple tasks at one time, it is classified as a multi-tasking operating
system. Multi-tasking can be of two types namely, pre-emptive or co-operative. In
pre-emptive multitasking, the operating system slices the CPU time and dedicates
one slot to each of the programs. Unix-like operating systems such as Solaris and
Linux support pre-emptive multitasking. Cooperative multitasking is achieved by
relying on each process to give time to the other processes in a defined manner. MS
Windows prior to Windows 95 used to support cooperative multitasking.

Distributed
A distributed operating system manages a group of independent computers
and makes them appear to be a single computer. The development of networked
computers that could be linked and communicate with each other, gave rise to
distributed computing. Distributed computations are carried out on more than one
machine. When computers in a group work in cooperation, they make a distributed
system.

Embedded
Embedded operating systems are designed to be used in embedded
computer systems. They are designed to operate on small machines like PDAs with
less autonomy. They are able to operate with a limited number of resources. They
are very compact and extremely efficient by design. Windows CE and Minix 3 are
some examples of embedded operating systems.

Customizing Windows Desktop

Start menu

The Start menu is a primary conduit to functions and files. How to configure it for
individual preferences is discussed.
Many of the properties of the Start menu can be configured by right-clicking the Start
button and choosing "Properties" from the context menu. Figure 1 shows the
resulting properties sheet. To customize the Start menu, click the "Customize"
button. This will open the dialog box shown in Figure 2. Those who wish can change
the appearance of the Start menu to the older look by choosing "Classic Start menu".
Only the XP style will be considered in this discussion.
Figure 1. Properties sheet for Start menu

 Fgure 2. Dialog box for customizing Start menu

There are several areas in the Windows XP Start menu and these are shown in
figure 3. A number of the entries are discussed in following sections.

Figure 3. Sections in the Windows XP Start menu

Recently used programs
Using an algorithm that is not always clear, Windows XP will place shortcuts to some
of the programs that you have recently used into the area labeled “Recently used
programs”.

Pinned programs

If you wish to give a permanent place on the Start menu to a favorite program, place
it in the “Pinned” area. Right-click the program entry in the All Programs menu or
other location and choose “Pin to Start menu”. To remove a program from the pinned
area, right-click and choose “Unpin from Start menu”.

Organizing the “All Programs” menu

The listings in the All Programs menu are just shortcuts to the actual program files
and can be edited like any other shortcut.

Customizing Shortcuts

One way to use Windows XP better and more efficiently is to have a quick path to
your most common tasks. Here's how to create useful shortcuts.

Everyone is familiar with the icons placed on the desktop, the shortcuts to open
programs. Many are also aware that shortcuts can be placed in the taskbar.
However, the average PC user is often unfamiliar with the various methods that exist
for creating shortcuts, not just to programs but also for other functions. There are a
number of methods for creating new shortcuts:

 Drag and drop

 The right-click “Send To” function
 The right-click “New” function
A discussion of each approach to creating shortcuts is given in the sections below.

Drag and drop

The drag and drop method can be used in several ways. Either the left or the right
mouse button can be used for drag and drop with somewhat different behavior. I
prefer the right-click method and this will be the basis for the rest of the discussion.
Dragging with the right-click brings up the context menu shown in the figure.

One way to employ drag and drop is to use the menu entry "Copy Here" to make a
copy of an existing shortcut in a different location. For example, an entry in the Start-
All Programs menu can be dragged to the desktop or to the Quick Launch bar to
place a copy of a shortcut in a more readily available spot.

The right-click “Send To” function

For making shortcuts specifically on the desktop, the Send To function of the right-
click can be used (figure on the left). Simply right-click on the desired file or folder
and select "Desktop (create shortcut)" from the "Send To" menu.

The right-click “New” function

The most general method for creating shortcuts

uses the "New" function of the context menu
that appears when a vacant spot within a folder
window or on the desktop is right-clicked (figure
on the left). Right-click in the folder where the shortcut is to be placed and select the
entry "Shortcut" from the menu. The dialog box shown below will open. The location
of the target item can be entered or the "Browse" function can be used to locate it.

First dialog box for creating new shortcut

If the "Browse" button is selected, the dialog shown below will open. Here you can
select the file or folder that you wish to create a shortcut for (the target). Once the
desired folder or file has been selected, Click the "OK" button.

Dialog box for Browse function

Customizing the Taskbar

The Taskbar is the strip across the length of the screen that is the central means for
accessing programs and files. Configuring it to suit individual preferences is
discussed.
Windows XP taskbar

Configuring the taskbar

To configure the taskbar, right-click in an empty space on the bar and select
“Properties” from the context menu. The resulting dialog box is shown in the figure
below.

Taskbar properties sheet

Notification Area (aka System Tray)
A variety of programs will place icons in the section of the taskbar on the far right
that typically contains the clock. In XP, Microsoft calls this the “Notification area”. It
was previously known as the “System tray”.

Section of Taskbar properties for Notification area

Toolbars

It is possible to add customized toolbars to the middle area of the taskbar. Right-click
an empty spot on the taskbar and choose “Toolbars”. There are five standard default
choices , including “Quick Launch” (first figure below). (Other software may
sometimes add extra choices.) There is also an item “New toolbar” that allows the
choice of any folder (second figure below). The Desktop toolbar gives access to the
contents of the desktop without having to minimize any open windows. Similarly, a
frequently used folder can be made easily accessible by creating a toolbar for it.

TO CHANGE YOUR DESKTOP BACKGROUND

 1. Open Display in Control Panel.

2. On the Desktop tab, do one or more of the following:

 Click a picture in the Background list. In Position, click Center, Tile, or

Stretch.

 Click Browse to search for a background picture in other folders or on

other drives. You can use files with the following extensions: .bmp, .gif,
.jpg, .dib, .png, .htm. In Position, click Center, Tile, or Stretch.

 Select a color from Desktop color. The color fills the space not used by a
picture.

Note:

 To open Display, click Start, click Control Panel, click Appearance and
Themes, and then click Display.

 You can use a personal picture as a background. All of your personal pictures
located in My Pictures are listed by name in the Background list.

 You can save a picture from a Web site as a background. Right-click the
picture and then click Set as Background. The picture is listed in the
Background box as Internet Explorer Background.

 If you choose an .htm document as your background picture, the Position

options are unavailable. The .htm document is automatically stretched to fill
your background.

Screen Saver
A screensaver is a computer program originally designed to conserve the image
quality of computer displays by blanking the screen, or filling it with moving images
or patterns when the computer was not in use. Today, screensavers are primarily
used for entertainment or security purposes.
Steps:
1. Open Display properties by Clicking Start, Control Panel & Display or Right
Click your desktop and choose properties.
2. Click Screen Saver Tab
3. Choose your screen saver and click apply.
 How Much Have You Learned?
Self-Check 1.1

A. TRUE OR FALSE
Direction: Write T if the statement is True and F if the statement is False. Write your
answer on a sheet of paper.

____1. An operating system (OS) is software, consisting

of programs and data, that runs on computers, manages computer
hardware resources, and provides common services for execution of
various application software.
____2. A real-time operating system is a multitasking operating system that
aims at executing real-time applications.
____3. A multi-user operating system allows multiple users to access a
computer system concurrently.
____4. Distributed operating systems are designed to be used in embedded
computer systems.
____5. An Embedded operating system manages a group of independent
computers and makes them appear to be a single computer.
____6. The Start menu is a primary conduit to functions and files
____7. If you wish to give a permanent place on the Start menu to a favorite
program, place it in the “Work” area.
____8. One way to use Windows XP better and more efficiently is to have a
quick path to your most common tasks.
____9. For making shortcuts specifically on the desktop, the Send To function
of the right-click can’t be used.
____10. The Taskbar is the strip across the length of the screen that is the
central means for accessing programs and files.

B. MATCHING TYPE
Directions: Match column A to column B

A B
1. Programmin A. It enables the end users to
g Software accomplish certain specific tasks.

2. System B. Software preserve the original

Software organization of files and allow an easy
retrieval of the backed up data.
3. Application C. It helps in running the computer
 Software hardware and the computer system.

4. Utility D. These software come in forms of tools

Software that assist a programmer in writing
computer programs
5. Data Backup E. Also known as service routine, It
and helps in the management of computer
Recovery hardware and application software.
Software
 How Do You Apply What You Have Learned?

Show that you learned something by doing this activity.

TASK SHEET 1.1

Title: Customize Windows Desktop

Performance Objective: Given the necessary tools and materials you are going
to change the desktop settings of your computer.

Supplies/Materials : Functional PC

Equipment :

Steps/Procedure:
1. Start computer using your user account.
2. Customized your start menu to standard
3. Change number of programs in start menu to 10 & use Small Icon.
4. In advance tab
Check
 Open menus when I pause on them with my mouse
 Highlight newly installed programs
 Control Panel
Display as menu
 My Computer
Display as menu
 My Document
Display as link
 My Network Places – On
5. Change the desktop picture of your computer
6. Add Screen Saver

Assessment Method:

Performance Criteria Checklist

Performance Checklist 1.1

CRITERIA Yes NO
Did the trainee:
Started computer using your user account.
Customized your start menu to standard
Changed number of programs in start menu to 10 & use Small Icon
Changed the desktop picture of your computer
Changed Screen Saver
ANSWER KEY
1. T
2. T
3. T
4. F
5. F
6. T
7. F
8. T
9. F
10. T

B.

1. D
2. C
3. A
4. E
5. B