1. DEVELOPING ICT SKILLS PART -TWO
SPACE BAR
Windows Key
Numeric Keypad
Arrow keys
Ctrl
Compiled by Richard Amoako, founder of Project GoodWill Africa
Richard Amoako & Family
START

2. Instructions for use of tutorial on the Internet
Use the Left and Right arrow keys or the Page Up and Page Down keys to move between the pages. You can also click on the pages to move forward.
To switch between the slide show and the Windows Desktop simply minimize this window.
If you see first => second it means select first followed by second (e.g Start => All Programs). DO NOT TYPE the “=>” characters.
If you see first + second it means push and hold down first, then push second (e.g Ctrl + M). DO NOT TYPE the “+” sign.

3. TOPICS Basic Computer System The Keyboard The Mouse
Exploring the Windows Desktop
How to start and stop Applications

4. 1.) BASIC COMPUTER SYSTEM
A basic Computer system will consist of :
A SYSTEM UNIT
A KEYBOARD
A MOUSE
A MONITOR
The system unit takes care of all the processing
and storage functions for the Computer.

5. A BASIC COMPUTER SYSTEM
Using a basic Computer System we can accomplish various tasks such as creating
documents and presentations, organizing documents and files, playing games and much more.

6. 2.) THE KEYBOARD
Windows Key
SPACE BAR
Arrow keys
Numeric Keypad
The keyboard is a standard input device to the Computer. The keyboard allows
you to interact with the Computer and instruct it what do. With the keyboard you
can navigate your way around the Computer as well as enter text.
There are various types of keyboards and each type has a slightly different key
layout. The buttons on the keyboard are normally referred to us keys.

7. The Keyboard Layout
The Typewriter keys are the keys you would normally use when typing text on the Computer. On some of the
keys in this group you will see two labels (top & bottom). For example the key with the equal to sign, “=“,
also has the plus sign , “+” , on it. During regular typing only the bottom character on the key will be sent to
the Computer. To type the top character you will first push and hold down the SHIFT key and then press
the key in question.
The Function keys (F1 to F12) have a variety of uses depending on the application or program you are
running. The F1 key is most often used to get help within a particular application. If you push the F3 key from
the Windows Desktop it will launch the Search function.

8. The Keyboard Layout - Continued
The ENTER keys are also known as RETURN keys. You will see two of these keys on a standard
keyboard. The Enter or Return key is used to launch applications or move the cursor to the next
line while typing text.
The cursor is the little blinking vertical bar “ ” you see when you are working in an application
like Notepad or MSWord. You can move the cursor around using the Cursor Control Keys. The
arrows on the control keys shows which direction the cursor will move when you press the key.
The Cursor Control Keys are also called Arrow keys. |

9. The Keyboard Layout - Continued
The Windows Key:
If you push either of the Windows Keys the Windows Start Menu will be launched if you are in Microsoft Windows.
The Numeric Keypad is normally used when working with data or documents that mostly contain numbers.
Before using these keys ensure that the Num Lock light is on. If the light is off push the Num Lock key once to
turn the light on and activate the Numeric Keys. You can try now by pushing the Num Lock key a couple of
times and watch the Num Lock light turn on and off each time you push the Num Lock Key
The following are the other keys of interest on the keyboard:
BACKSPACE  Used to delete any characters to the left of the current position of the cursor.
DELETE  Used to delete any characters to the right of the current position of the cursor.
CAPS LOCK  Push this button if you want all the letters you type to be CAPITAL letters
Page UP / Page Down  Lets you navigate through large documents one page at a time in either direction
SPACEBAR  This key allows you to put spaces between text or characters that you type
SHIFT  When combined with a typewriter key will produce the Capital letter on of that key. When the SHIFT key is
pressed in combination with a key that has two characters (top & bottom) will yield the top character.

10. Familiarizing with the keyboard
To become familiar with the keys on the keyboard start a simple application such as Notepad and
start entering text. Then test the functions described above.
To launch or start Nodepad and practice with it, do one of the following:
METHOD -1:
Use the mouse to click on the Start button
Move the mouse pointer to “All Programs” to display all your installed programs
Move the mouse to the “Accessories” . The contents of Accessories will be displayed
Move the mouse to the Notepad program and use your index finger to click once on the left mouse button
Once Notepad opens you will see a window with white background and a blinking cursor
Start typing any text you want. Use the SPACEBAR to insert spaces between your text
Push the ENTER key at the end of each line to move the cursor to the next line
Type some more text inserting spaces as needed
Now practice using the BACKSPACE and DELETE keys
Play with the Cursor control keys to move the cursor UP, Down, Left or Right
Insert more text at the new cursor positions if you want
Practice using the SHIFT key to type CAPITAL letters and other characters

11. Launching the Notepad program
METHOD-2:
Use the mouse to click on the Start button
Look for the “Run…” program icon in the start menu and click on it
When the Run window displays type the word notepad and press the ENTER key
This will launch the Notepad application
Once Notepad opens you will see a window with white background and a blinking cursor
Start typing any text you want. Use the SPACEBAR to insert spaces between your text
Push the ENTER key at the end of each line to move the cursor to the next line
Type some more text inserting spaces as needed
Now play with the BACKSPACE and DELETE keys
Play with the Cursor control keys to move the cursor UP, Down, Left or Right
Insert more text at the new cursor positions if you want
Practice using the SHIFT key to type CAPITAL letters and other characters
You can also display the Start Menu by simply pushing one of the Windows keys.
Windows key

12. Sample text in Notepad
Practice using the keyboard to type the following text in Notepad:
Close
To close the Notepad program window click on the Close icon,
, at the top right corner.

13. 3.) THE MOUSE The mouse in an input device just like the keyboard
Scroll Wheel
The mouse in an input device just like the keyboard
It is used to explore the Windows desktop and to start applications
You can use the mouse to select objects, select text and to display pop-up menus
Some mice have only two buttons (the LEFT and RIGHT buttons)
Some mice have a middle third button in addition to the LEFT and RIGHT buttons. For some mice there is a Scroll Wheel in the middle in place of a middle button

14. When you click on the RIGHT button we say that you are right-clicking.
SCROLL WHELL
LEFT BUTTON
RIGHT BUTTON
The most commonly used buttons on the mouse are the LEFT and RIGHT buttons.
If you hold the mouse in your right hand your index finger will rest on the LEFT button and your middle finger will be on the RIGHT button of the mouse
Regular clicking is done with the LEFT mouse button. You can single-click or double-click on this button to send a signal to the Computer.
When you click on the RIGHT button we say that you are right-clicking.
When you right-click on the desktop or on any object, a menu will be displayed. This is called the pop-up menu. The menu options depends on what was right-clicked

15. Some mouse terms to be familiar with:
A click means to use the right index finger to quickly push and release the LEFT mouse button. You will hear a clicking sound as you do this.
A click is also called a single-click.
A double-click is when you press and release the mouse button two times in quick succession. You will hear two clicking sounds when you do this.
A right-click is when you click on the right mouse button. You can use either the middle finger or the index finger to do this.
If you move the mouse on any flat surface you will notice the mouse pointer move on the Computer’s screen.
Typical mouse pointer

16. 4.) EXPLORING THE WINDOWS DESKTOP
The first thing you see when the Computer successfully boots into windows is the
Windows Desktop.
THIS IS THE WINDOWS
DESKTOP
Icons or Shortcuts
The Task Bar

17. The Windows Desktop is a mostly empty space with a group of little images. The little images you see on the Desktop are called icons.
Icons provide you with easy access to the applications installed on the Computer. When you double-click one of these icons the associated applications opens or launches. Icons are also called shortcuts.
Some Icons or Shorcuts on the Desktops are automatically created when new applications are installed on the Computer.
You can also create your own icons on the desktop to give you quick access to programs, files and folders.
With the help of the MOUSE and the KEYBOARD you can easily navigate
your way around the Windows Desktop.

18. The Windows TaskBar
At the bottom of the Windows Desktop is a bar that runs from left to right.
This is the Windows Taskbar. The Taskbar is divided into sections. At the
extreme left is the Start Menu button.
If it is enabled you will see the Quick Launch Bar next to the Start button.
Next to the Quick Launch Bar (if enabled) or the Start button is the section of
the bar that holds a series of buttons depending on the applications you are
running. At the extreme right corner is the System Tray.
Any time you start a new application a task icon will appear on the taskbar to the
Application. This helps you to know what programs or applications you are running.
Start Button
The Windows Taskbar
Quick Launch Bar
System Tray
Tasks

19. The QUICK LAUNCH BAR: If enabled, this will be located after the Start button on the TaskBar. This will not be visible unless it is enabled.
The Quick Launch bar contains shortcuts to applications. Windows provides default entries, such as Internet Explorer, and the user and other programs may add any more shortcuts.
A SINGLE Click on an icon on the Quick Launch Bar launches the application.
Icons and shortcuts on the Desktop need to be double-clicked to run their applications.
The Quick Launch bar can be enabled or disabled. It can be made visible or invisible by right-clicking an empty space on the taskbar and choosing the Properties option from the menu list.
Then click on the little box to the left of “Show Quick Launch” to place a check mark or remove the check mark

20. START BUTTON: This the button on the extreme left side of the task bar
START BUTTON: This the button on the extreme left side of the task bar. If you click on this button a menu displays, listing all the programs you can access or run on your Computer. This menu is the START MENU.
The Windows Start menu serves as the launching point for the applications and programs installed on the Computer. All the programs that are on your computer can be accessed from the Windows Start menu.
Start Menu
The default Start Menu for Windows XP
When you first click the Start button, you will notice that the menu has two sides or columns. The left side of the Start menu shows icons for some (but not all) of the programs on the computer. The right side of the menu displays options for "places" like the Help and Support Center and folders where you store documents, pictures, and music

21. Try the following exercises:
Using the keyboard and the mouse you can become familiar with the Windows Desktop through hands-on practise.
Try the following exercises:
Note:
To switch from the on-screen PowerPoint presentation to the Desktop, press and hold down the
Windows key and press the letter D (i.e. Windows Key + D).To return to the presentation click on
the presentation icon on the taskbar.
1.) Use the mouse to click once on any icon on the desktop such as the My Computer icon if it exists on the desktop. What happens?
2.) Now double-click on the same icon (e.g My Computer). What happens?
3.) Do you see a new task icon on the taskbar after step 2.?
4.) Click on the Close button, ,at the upper right corner. What just happened? What happened to the tasks icon on the taskbar?
5.) Repeat exercises 1 to 3
6.) Now try exercises 1 to 3 on a different icon on the desktop

22. 7. ) Click on the right mouse button on the My Computer icon
7.) Click on the right mouse button on the My Computer icon. A pop-up menu will
display. If the My Computer icon is not on the desktop use a different icon for this
exercise.
8.) Now choose Open option from the menu listing. What happens?
9.) Click on the little underscore button , , on the upper right corner. This will minimize
any application window.
10.) Look on the taskbar. Do you see any difference?
11.) Click on an empty space on the Desktop. What happens?
12.) Now right-click the same empty area on the Desktop. What happens now?
13.) If the pop-up menu is displayed, move the mouse pointer to the New option. This will
display a second menu. You can quickly create files and folders with the help of this
second menu.

23. How to start and stop Applications
When new applications are installed in Windows they normally create a group icon in the Start menu under the All Programs submenu. (Start => All Programs ).
Some applications also install an icon or shortcut on the Desktop to allow the program to be launched quickly.
Double-clicking ( two quick clicks on the left mouse button) on an icon on the Desktop will start the related program.
If a programs icon is available through the Start Menu a single-click on the icon will launch the program.
For example to launch the Notepad text editing program you can do one of the following:

24. Starting the Notepad Application -1
METHOD -1:
Use the mouse to click on the Start button
Move the mouse pointer to “All Programs” to display the list of applications installed on this Computer
Move the mouse pointer to “Accessories” . The contents of accessories will be displayed
Move the mouse to the Notepad program and use your index finger to click once on the left mouse button
The Notepad program opens and displays an empty white space and a blinking cursor, You can type text in this empty space. |

25. Start => All Programs => Accessories =>Notepad

26. You have successfully launched Notepad if the exercise brings you to this screen.|

27. Starting the Notepad Application -2
METHOD-2:
Use the mouse to click on the Start Menu button
Look for the “Run…” program in the start menu and click on it
When the Run window displays type the word notepad and press the ENTER key or click OK
This will launch the Notepad application
Once Notepad opens you will see the blinking cursor, |

28. Using the Start Menu to launch Notepad
Start button
The Run program

29. The RUN window
Clicking OK with the mouse or pushing the ENTER key on the keyboard will the Notepad window.

30. The Notepad Window
Click this to close Notepad

31. Try using one of the above methods to start the Wordpad program.
Now try using one of the methods to launch the Calculator program.
If you use the “Run…” program (Start => Run) to open the Calculator program you must type the word calc inside the Run Window

32. Start => Run =>”calc”

33. This completes our journey through starting and stopping Windows Applications.
The key to learning new things is to review and then practice, practice, practice.
Practice finding and opening different applications, minimizing and closing them.