• Fundamental Computer Skills

  Computer Basics        Data Storage        Hardware

  1. Use and understand basic computer related terms:

          a.  Login (log-in)
          b.  Cursor
          c.  Icon
          d.  Scroll bar
          e.  Hour glass/busy
          f.   Word processor
          g.  Minimize
          h.  Maximize
          i.   Network
          j.   Directory
          k.  Open File
          l.   Edit
          m. Hardware
          n.  Software
          o. Electronic mail (e-mail)
          p.  Copyright
          q.  Software piracy
          r.  License agreement
          s.  Computer manual
          t.  File
          u.  Telecommunication
          v.  Multimedia
          w. Internet
          x.  Desktop publishing
          y.  *Database
          z.  *Query
          aa.*Field
          bb.*Record
          cc.*Spreadsheet
          dd.*Cell
          ee.*Column
          ff.  *Row
          gg.*Formula
          hh.*Boolean search

  2. Identify basic computer hardware components and peripheral devices:

          a.  Keyboard & mouse
          b.  Monitor
          c.  Printer
          d.  Headphones/Speakers
          e.  Hard drive
          f.  Floppy drive
          g.   Disk
          h.  CD-ROM
          i.  File server
          j.  *RAM

  3. Care and appropriate use of hardware

          a.  Demonstrate appropriate care and use of keyboard & mouse
          b.  Demonstrate appropriate care and use of computer disks
          c.  Demonstrate appropriate care and use of CD-ROM
          d.  Demonstrate ability to turn computer off/on independently
          e.  Demonstrate appropriate care and use of printer
          f.   Demonstrate appropriate care and use of special keyboard keys. (ESC,Shift,
               arrow keys, spacebar, backspace, Delete, Enter, Alt, Ctrl, etc.

  4. Identify the functions and advantages of computer productivity software

          a.  Word processing
          b.  Telecommunications
          c.  *Spreadsheet
          d.  *Database
   

  5. Use basic computer management skills

          a.  Demonstrate ability to access and exit software
          b.  Demonstrate ability to manage files (saving, retrieving)
          c.  *Demonstrate ability to organize file
          d.  *Demonstrate ability to use disk utilities (formatting, copying, deleting, creating
               backup, saving)

Online Games- Computer Basics 
How well do you know the parts of the computer? Play this game to check your level of knowledge of the computer and its related equipment. These games contain the above vocabulary terms elated to computer telecommunications. Play each game (Matching, Concentration, Flash Cards and Word Search) until you are fluent in each one.
              Review these terms before you try the above activities:

A B Hardware The physical components of the computer system. Software The programs or instructions that tell the computer what to do. CPU The brain of the computer or central processing unit. ROM The permanent memory that is built in your computer. This is read only. RAM The computer's working memory, sometimes called random-accessed memory. Megabyte Approximately a million bytes. Gigabyte Approximately a billion bytes (or 1,000 megabytes). Input Device The hardware that is used to pass information into the computer. Output Device The hardware that receives and dislplays information coming from the computer. Modem The device that allows your computer to talk to other computers over a telephone line. Monitor A video or computer display device. Laser Printer A printer that uses both laser and photographic technology to produce high quality output. Printer The hardware that provides printed output from the computer. Hard Copy A printed copy of computer output. Compact Disc A disc on which a laser has digitally recorded information such as audio, video, or computer data. Hard Disk A fixed, large-capacity magnetic storage medium for computer data. Floppy Disk A portable magnetic storage medium for computer data that allows users to randomly access information. Graphical User Interface The use of graphical symbols instead of text commands to control common computer functions such as copying programs and disks. Icon A small picture or symbol representing a computer hardware function or component. Ink-jet Printer A type of printer that forms letters on the page by shooting tiny electrically charged droplets of ink.

• Data Storage / Back-up

Article- Back Up Your Data:                                                                 Find out the different ways to protect and safeguard your data from accidental loss. 

Article- Computer Viruses:                                                                   Find out the different ways to protect and safeguard your data from intentional destruction from viruses, worms and Trojan horses.

• Computer Hardware

• Spreadsheets

Spreadsheet Basics Basic facts about spreadsheets.                         Play each game (Matching, Concentration, Flash Cards and Word Search) until you are fluent in each one.
                Review these formulas before you try the above activities:

• Computer Networking and Telecommunication Skills

  1. Use the network by:

          a.  Demonstrating appropriate use of log-in numbers/names
          b.  Demonstrating appropriate use of network printing
          c.  Saving files to individual home directories
          d.  Using multiple storage drives (A:\, and C:\)
          e.  Accessing on-line information for research
          f.   Accessing information from a directory
          g.  Sending and receiving electronic mail
          h.  *Setting up user passwords
          i.   * Knowing the importance of password security

  Additional Resources:

  Online Video and Practice Quiz- The Cell Phone:
  Take a neat little pre-test to test your prior knowledge of the computer, (while the video loads,) then view a video: The Cell Phone. Now retake the test.

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• Legal/Ethical Skills

  1. Shows understanding of appropriate legal/ethical conduct by:

          a.  Demonstrating appropriate use of computers
          b.  Demonstrating appropriate computer etiquette
          d.  Respecting the privacy of all users
          e.  Obeying copyright laws

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• Information Management Skills

  1. Access/retrieve information:

          a.  Identify a need for information
          b.  Identify appropriate resources
          c.  Use of library catalog (LAN)
          d.  Use of Internet
          e.  Define search parameters
          f.   Use of commercial database
          g.  Produce research project incorporating information retrieved from at least two
              different types of sources
          h.  Use of student created database

  2. Information organization:

          a.  Identify useful information from search
          b.  Take notes/paraphrase from search
          c.  Cite electronic sources for bibliography

  3. Information analysis:

          a.  Compare information from at least two sources
          b.  *Identify trends in data
          c.  *Evaluate for accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, comprehensiveness, and bias

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• Database Skills

  1. Creating and saving databases
   

  2. Retrieving data

          a.  *Sort
          b.  *Search for specific data by field
   

  3. Edit data
  

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• Spreadsheet Skills

  1. Creating and saving spreadsheets

          a.  *Identify intended use
          b.  *Specify data organization
          c.  *Determine columns and rows
          d.  *Set cell attributes
          e.  *Create simple calculation formulas
          f.   *Enter and edit data

  2. Retrieving data

          a.  *Sort data
          b.  *Create chart(s)
          c.  *Print spreadsheets

  3. Editing data

          a.  *Insert column or row
          b.  *Delete column or row
          c.  *Use fill down/across
          d.  *Save updated spreadsheet

  4. Generating graphs from spreadsheets

          a.  *Determine and create appropriate type of graph

• Multimedia Skills

1. Prepare an electronic presentation

        a.  Create and edit slides/screens
        b.  Add and edit text (font, size, color)
        c.  *Design a presentation using 4 or more different forms of media
        d.  *Create an electronic presentation using research in a real world context

2. Creating the look of your presentation

        a.  Customize the background
        b.  Arrange objects on the slide/screen
        c.  Insert graphics, clip art, and/or digital pictures
        d.  Use Word Art to enhance titles or to create original art

3. Customize

        a.  Add slide transitions to your slide show
        b.  *Use sounds to enhance your presentation *Optional
        c.  *Place video in your presentation *Optional
        d.  *Create slide layouts for tables and/or charts
        e.  *Create a hyper-link to at least one Web site
        f.   *Arrange slides/screens in a logical and appropriate order
        g.  *Animate text and/or graphics to add impact *Optional

4. Save

        a.  Save a presentation as a new and/or existing presentation and close the file
        b.  Save As presentation to a new location (shared directory for presentation)
        c.  Save As HTML for use on a web page

5. Present

        a.  Open an existing multi-media project
        b.  Practice presentation skills for audience (use of microphone, posture,
             delivery skills)
        c.  Deliver presentation using projection device
        d.  *Create notes to have for final presentation