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Table of Contents
Course Overview
Navigation Overview
Course Information
Module: 1: Computer Basics
Introduction to Computers
Common Computer Terminology
Computer Performance and Features
Computer Operating Systems
Career Opportunities
Module Summary
Glossary
Course Overview

Imagine that you own a local grocery store where you deal with a number of customers every day. You have to manually track customer details and the purchases made during each day. In this scenario, these tasks take a lot of time. Computers help you to perform these tasks quickly and efficiently.

Today, computers are used in every field. People use computers in schools, hospitals, libraries, and even in grocery stores. Computers allow you to record a lot of data, perform simple and complicated calculations, draw pictures, and even play music.

Course Information

This course explains the role of computers and basic computer terminology. It familiarizes you with the various programs available for performing different tasks. This course also introduces you to the different areas where computers are used and the different career opportunities that computers have made available.

Course Details / Description
Audience Description / This course is intended for anyone who wants to acquire digital literacy skills.
Prerequisites / Students should have basic reading comprehension skills at the level required to read a local newspaper.
Students should have access to a computer at home, school, or an institution.
Course Objectives / After completing this course, you will be able to define what a computer is and what it does. You will also be able to perform basic computer operations.
For More Information / For more information, see the Microsoft Learning Web site ( .
Module Contents
Introduction to Computers
Common Computer Terminology
Computer Performance and Features
Computer Operating Systems
Career Opportunities
Module Summary
Module Introduction
Computers help organizations and individuals to conduct business transactions efficiently and quickly. In today’s world, one of the basic skills necessary to succeed at a workplace is to know how to use the computer. Computers are used in every field. To be able to get better jobs, you need to know how to use a computer.
This module explains the role of computers and the basic concepts about the parts of a computer. This module also explains how to use a computer in different aspects of life.
Module Objectives
After completing this module, you will be able to:
Identify the role of computers, their main parts, and the steps involved in working with a computer.
Define common computer terminology.
Explain the basic concepts concerning types of computers, programs, and performance issues.
Explain the core concepts related to computer operating systems.
Identify the different areas where computers can be used and the different career opportunities made available by computers.
/ Computers have transformed the way people conduct business transactions and perform their daily tasks. With computers, you can maintain your monthly budget, create business reports, do your project work, listen to music, watch movies, and even create drawings just as you would do on paper.
The growth in the field of computers has lead to development of new technologies for creation, storage, and transfer of data over a group of computers. This group of technologies is collectively called Information Technology (IT).
You do not need to have much technical knowledge to work on a computer. Just about anyone can learn to use one. The only two requirements are to have patience and determination.
This module explains the basic concepts related to computers and also familiarizes you with the components that make up the computer. In addition, this module familiarizes you with the various tools that will help you perform your daily tasks.
Lesson Contents
/ The Role of Computers
/ Parts of a Computer
/ Using a Computer
/ Using a Keyboard
/ Using a Mouse
/ Sort Game: Input, Output, and Storage Devices
/ Self Test
Lesson Introduction /
A computer is an electronic device used to store and process information. It plays a major role in our lives. You use computers in education and research. You also use them for broadcasting news, receiving and sending messages to family and friends, making presentations, maintaining official and personal records, making weather forecasts, and for various other business and recreation activities. By using computers, you save a lot of time, effort, and money.
Lesson Objectives
After completing this lesson, you will be able to:
Describe the importance of computers in today’s world.
Identify the main parts of a computer.
Identify the steps for starting a computer.
Identify the different groups of keys on a keyboard.
Perform different tasks by using a mouse.
Topic: /

The Role of Computers

The following table contains the transcript of an online animation.


Computers play a major role in our daily lives. They are used in industries, schools, government offices, and shops. You can use computers to communicate with your family and friends, create a household budget, book travel and movie tickets, or manage your business.
In business and industry, you use computers to maintain accounts, create personnel records, track inventory, prepare presentations and reports, manage projects, and communicate by e-mail.
You can use computers to design any type of publication ranging from simple newsletters to fashion magazines, marketing materials, books, or newspapers.
In the field of education, trainers can use computers to deliver training through audio-visual learning aids, maintain student records to track performance, search for information on different topics, and create or submit assignments.
In government organizations, you use computers to organize information by storing and updating records. Computers are also used for providing services to citizens. For example, you can view information on current policies and government issues on a computer.
In the field of medicine, doctors use computers to review medical records of patients. Doctors also use computers to find information about the latest drugs available to treat a disease. Doctors can also use computer technology to discuss and share information about various diseases.
You can use computers to view the details of your bank account. Traders use computer technology to get instant information on stock markets, to trade stocks, and to manage investments.
Scientists use computers for scientific research, and to gather and analyze information. For example, they use computers to view images from space and to publish information on their recent research.
You can also use computers to create drawings and paintings. Photographers use computers to edit and enhance pictures. Writers use computers to write content for their books and to also create illustrations. By using computers, writers can make changes in the content easily and save a lot of time.
In the field of entertainment, you can use computers to listen to music, watch movies, store and print photographs, send greetings, and play games.
Topic: /

Parts of a Computer

A computer has various parts, and each part performs a specific function. The following table describes the parts of a computer.

Part / Description
Input Devices / You use input devices to provide information to a computer, such as typing a letter or giving instructions to a computer to perform a task. Some examples of input devices are described in the following list.
Mouse: A device that you use to interact with items displayed on the computer screen. A standard mouse has a left and a right button. You use the left button to select items and provide instructions by clicking an active area on the screen. You use the right button to display commonly used menu items on the screen.
Keyboard: A set of keys that resembles a typewriter keyboard. You use the keyboard to type text, such as letters or numbers into the computer.
Microphone: A device that you can use to talk to people in different parts of the world. You can record sound into the computer by using a microphone. You can also use a microphone to record your speech and let the computer convert it into text.
Scanner: A device that is similar to a photocopy machine. You can use this device to transfer an exact copy of a photograph or document into a computer. A scanner reads the page and translates it into a digital format, which a computer can read. For example, you can scan photographs of your family using a scanner.
Webcam: A device that is similar to a video camera. It allows you to capture and send the live pictures to the other user. For example, a webcam allows your friends and family to see you when communicating with them. /
Output Devices / You use output devices to get feedback from a computer after it performs a task. Some examples of output devices are described in the following list.
Monitor: A device that is similar to a television. It is used to display information, such as text and graphics, on the computer.
Printer: A device that you use to transfer text and images from a computer to a paper or to another medium, such as a transparency film. You can use a printer to create a paper copy of whatever you see on your monitor.
Speaker/Headphone: Devices that allow you to hear sounds. Speakers may either be external or built into the computer. /
Central Processing Unit and Memory / The central processing unit (CPU) is a device that interprets and runs the commands that you give to the computer. It is the control unit of a computer. The CPU is also referred to as the processor.
Memory is where information is stored and retrieved by the CPU. There are two main types of memory.
Random Access Memory (RAM): It is the main memory and allows you to temporarily store commands and data. The CPU reads data and commands from RAM to perform specific tasks. RAM is volatile, which means it is available only while the computer is turned on. The contents of RAM must be copied to a storage device if you want to save the data in the RAM.
Read Only Memory (ROM): It is the memory that retains its contents even after the computer is turned off. ROM is nonvolatile, or permanent, memory that is commonly used to store commands, such as the commands that check whether everything is working properly. /
Motherboard / The motherboard is the main circuit board inside the computer. It has tiny electronic circuits and other components on it. A motherboard connects input, output, and processing devices together and tells the CPU how to run. Other components on the motherboard include the video card, the sound card, and the circuits that allow the computer to communicate with devices like the printer. The motherboard is sometimes called a system board. /
Expansion Cards / An expansion card is a circuit board that can be attached to the motherboard to add features such as video display and audio capability to your computer. An expansion card either improves the performance of your computer or enhances its features. Expansion cards are also called expansion boards. Some types of expansion cards are described in the following list.
Video Card: It is connected to the computer monitor and is used to display information on the monitor.
Network Interface Card (NIC): It allows the computer to be connected to other computers so that information can be exchanged between them.
Sound Card: It converts audio signals from a microphone, audio tape, or some other source to digital signals, which can be stored as a computer audio file. Sound cards also convert computer audio files to electrical signals, which you can play through a speaker or a headphone. The microphone and the speakers or the headphones connect to the sound card. /
Storage Devices / You use storage devices to store computer information. Storage devices come in many forms. Some examples are hard drive or disk, CD-ROM, floppy disk, and DVD-ROM. Storage devices can be divided into two types, internal storage devices and external storage devices.
Some common storage devices are described in the following list.
Hard Disk: A magnetic disk that is usually the main storage device on most computers. It can be an external or an internal device.
Floppy Disk: A portable storage device that allows you to store a small amount of data. A disadvantage of this disk is that it can be easily damaged by heat, dust, or magnetic fields.
CD-ROM: A portable storage medium that allows you to store 400 times more data than on a floppy disk. It is less prone to damage than a floppy disk.
DVD-ROM: A portable storage medium that is similar to a CD-ROM; however, it can store larger amounts of data than a floppy disk or a CD-ROM. A DVD-ROM is commonly used to store movies and videos. /
Ports and Connections / A port is a channel through which data is transferred between input/output devices and the processor. There are several types of ports that you can use to connect the computer to external devices and networks. Some types of ports are described in the following list.
Universal Serial Bus (USB) Port: You use this to connect peripheral devices such as a mouse, a modem, a keyboard, or a printer to a computer.
FireWire: You use this to connect devices such as a digital camera. It is faster than the USB.
Network Port: You use this to connect a computer to other computers to exchange information between the computers.
Parallel Port and Serial Port: You use these ports to connect printers and other devices to a personal computer. However, the USB is now the preferred method for connecting peripheral devices because it is faster and easier to use.
Display Adapter: You connect a monitor to the display adapter on your computer. The display adapter generates the video signal received from the computer, and sends it to a monitor through a cable. The display adapter may be on the motherboard, or on an expansion card.
Power: The motherboard and other components inside a computer use direct current (DC). A power supply takes the alternating current (AC) from the wall outlet and converts it into DC power. /
Topic: /

Using a Computer

The following table contains the transcript of an online animation.


To turn on a computer, press the power button on the system unit. When you turn on the computer, lights on the keyboard may blink briefly and you may also hear a beep. This is an indication that the power-on self test (POST) has started.
The computer performs a sequence of quick tests to check whether the motherboard, memory, hard drive, and other components are working.
If you hear a series of beeps, the monitor may display a message indicating that a component is not functioning. For example, if the keyboard cable is not attached, an error message may report that there is no keyboard detected.
After POST, the computer starts the operating system, and then displays the logon screen. You now log on to the Microsoft®Windows®XP operating system. The operating system allows you to instruct the computer what to do after you have turned it on.
The operating system controls the computer’s hardware and also manages the computer’s operations and tasks, such as logging on, logging off, and shutting down.
For example, to log on to Windows XP, you need to type your user name and password. The settings for the user account are applied and you are now logged on to Windows XP. After you log on, you can perform various tasks, such as creating a new file or modifying an existing file.
After performing the required tasks, you need to save the changes you made to the file. You can then log off from Windows XP. To log off, you need to click Start, and then click Log Off.
To securely turn off your computer, you must shut down Windows XP. To do this, you need to click Start, and then, at the bottom of the Start menu, click Shut Down. You can end your Windows XP session by clicking the Shut Down Windows dialog box.
If you encounter problems while using the computer, you can choose the Restart option to restart the computer. To do this, click Restart in the Shut Down Windows dialog box.
On most computers, you should never use the actual power button on the front of the system unit to turn off the computer unless it stops responding.
Topic: /

Using a Keyboard