Unpacking your

thoughts

1. What do you expect from this training?

Individually write three things you expect
from this training.

2. Now in pairs, make six expectations. If your

former expectations are similar, add new
ones now.

Unit I – Basic Computer Skills for ELT

Professionals

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 Objectives At the end of this unit, you will be able to:
 Identify parts of a computer
 Open a computer
 Use a computer
 Shut down a computer properly
Getting Ready

1. What do you know about computers? Write all the words you
know in relation to computers?
2. In pairs, explain the functions of the parts in the following
picture. You should also explain how these tools can be used
in ELT.

Introduction

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 unit (CPU), or processor, contains logic circuitry and
performs the instructions of a computer’s programs. It is the
“brain” of the computer.
o Read-only memory (ROM) is the memory that comes with
your computer that is pre-written to hold the instructions for
In order to properly booting-up the computer. Information can be read from
use a computer or ROM, but not written back to it. ROM will retain data when
computing device it is the computer is powered off. It is known as non-volatile
necessary to have a memory.
basic understanding o Random access memory (RAM) is the memory available
of what a basic for the operating system, programs and processes to use
computer is and how when the computer is running. RAM can be read from, and
it operates. All written to, for processing information and instructions. Data
computers have two in RAM is not permanently written and therefore known as
things in common, volatile memory. When you power off your computer the
hardware and data stored in RAM is deleted.
software.
Ì Hardware is Ì Software is made up of informational data and code that acts
what the as a set of instructions informing the hardware what actions it
computer is is to perform or initiate. (ie. Software applications: The
physically made computer’s operating system, Microsoft Word (word
up of; which processing), Excel (spreadsheets and data calculation), Web
includes the browsers: Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome,
monitor, and Apple Safari, Search engines: Google, Bing, Yahoo)
keyboard and There are several different kinds of computers. The most common
mouse, and all of computers are desktop computers, laptop computers, tablet or
its internal touchscreen computers, and servers which allow computers to
components network and connect with each other via the local area networks
which allows it (LAN) or the Internet. Other examples of computers may also
to store, receive, include smart phones, gaming counsels, kiosks and computers that
and process may also be found in home appliances such as TVs, refrigerators,
information and and vehicles which make use of software applications or apps to
data. connect and communicate with Internet service.
o The central A computer is more than just another household appliance. The
processing vast amount of information and possibilities can be overwhelming.

keyboard and mouse

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 mouse usually has three buttons (left, right and middle button).
You will often interact with the computer by moving the mouse
pointer over something on the computer screen, then clicking one
of the buttons.

On laptops, you can use the trackpad, located below the keyboard,
instead of a mouse. Simply drag your finger across the trackpad to
move the pointer on the screen. Some trackpads do not have
buttons, so you'll either press or tap the trackpad to click.

You interact with a

computer mainly by
using
the keyboard and mo The keyboard allows you to type letters, numbers, and words into
use, or a trackpad on the computer. Whenever you see a flashing vertical line—called
laptops. Most people the cursor—you can start typing.
find it comfortable to
place the keyboard on
the desk directly in
front of them and the
mouse to one side of
the keyboard.
Turning on a computer

The mouse controls

the pointer on the
screen. Whenever you
move the mouse
across the desk, the
pointer will move in a
similar manner. A

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 every computer, but it will have the universal power button symbol
(shown below).

Once turned on, your computer takes time before it's ready to use.
You may see a few different displays flash on the screen. This
process is called booting up, and it can take anywhere from 15
seconds to several minutes. Once the computer has booted up, it
may be ready to use, or it may require you to log in. This means
identifying yourself by typing your user name or selecting your
profile, then typing your password. If you've never logged in to
your computer before, you may need to create an account.

The very first step is

to turn on the
computer. Make sure
all the cables are
plugged in correctly,
and locate the power
button. It's in a
different place on
Using a computer use your computer. Icons are used to represent different files,
applications, and commands on your computer. An icon is a small
image that's intended to give you an idea at a glance of what it
represents, like a logo. Double-clicking an icon on the desktop will
open that application or file.

The main screen

you'll start from is
the desktop. From
here, you can access
the programs and
features you need to

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A button is a command that performs a specific function within an
application. The most commonly used commands in a program
will be represented by buttons.

Menus are organized collections of commands and shortcuts.

Click a menu to open it and display the commands and shortcuts
within. Then click an item in the menu to execute it.

When you open an application or folder, it is displayed in its

own window. A window is a contained area—like a picture within
a picture—with its own menus and buttons specific to that
program.

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 You can rearrange multiple windows on the desktop and switch
between them.

Opening file and The file system icon will be in the bottom-left part of the screen.
application systems On a PC, the File Explorer icon looks like a folder, as in the
image below.

When you double-click a file, your computer will automatically

use the correct application to open it. In our example, we're
opening a Microsoft Word document (Chicago Trip Details),
which will open in Microsoft Word.

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 However, there may be times you may want to open an application
directly, instead of just opening a file.
 To open an application, click the Start button, then select
the desired application. If you don't see the one you want,
you can click All Programs to see a full list, or
simply type the name of the application on your keyboard
to search for it. In the example below, we're
opening Internet Explorer.

Basic navigation If you see the file you want, you can double-click it with your
mouse. Otherwise, you can use the Navigation pane on the left
side of the window to select a different location.

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Deleting files Windows use Recycle Bin—to prevent you from accidentally
deleting files. When you delete a file, it is moved to the Trash can.
If you change your mind, you can move the file back to its original
location.

If you want to permanently delete the file, you will need to empty
the Recycle Bin. To do this, right-click the icon and select Empty
Recycle Bin.

Adjusting computer's settings

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 adjusting the computer's settings. Adjusting your settings can range
from simple tasks such as changing your desktop background to
more advanced tasks like adjusting your security or keyboard
settings.
 In Windows 10, click the Start button, then
select Settings.

 In Windows 8.1 and earlier, click the Start button,

then locate and select the Control Panel.

When you start using

a new computer, you
may want to begin by

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Shutting down computer

When you have done everything that you want using your
computer, it's important to shut it down properly.

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 To shut
down Windo
ws, click
the Start butt
on, then
select Shut
down (in
some
versions, this
may say Turn
Off
Computer or
look like the
power
symbol).

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