Week 2

Week Two Objectives:

• How to properly hold the mouse: left click, right click and what they mean, how and when to use them in-class exercises –HAND OUT featuring websites for practice using the mouse.
• Learn features of the keyboard that make it different from a typewriter.

 

Using the Mouse

To use the computer, you need to learn how to use the mouse.The mouse allows you to move to different places on the screen and to type information into the computer.

First – The moving parts

 

1. Left mouse button – Used to issue commands, select items, or open files.

2. Right mouse button – Used to access special menus.

3. Scroll wheel – Allows for quick movement up and down in a document.

 

 

 

 

 

Next – How to position your hand

 

1. Place your right index finger here.
2. Place your right middle finger on this button.
3. Use your index or middle finger to move the wheel up and down. (We will not be using the wheel in this class.)
4. Rest the palm of your hand on this surface.
5. Your right thumb goes here.
6. Your right ring finger goes here.

 

Following the mouse on the monitor

 

 

 

 

 

 

• The mouse controls a “pointer” on the screen. The pointer is called a cursor.
• Look for the position of cursor on the screen as you move the mouse on the table. It should look like a white arrow.
• The cursor is a moving marker that will change depending on what you are doing with your mouse.
• The cursor can indicate:
  • where your mouse pointer is, and
  • where you will interact with the information on your screen.

Types of Cursors

The appearance of the cursor will change with the function it is performing.

The mouse gives you control over your computer. With the mouse in your hand you cause the onscreen arrow to move around your computer display. It is based on the “point and click” philosophy. You move your mouse to a point where you want something to happen, then you click to make that event take place. Sometimes you click once. Sometimes you click twice. And sometimes you hold down the mouse while your event is happening.

Most mouse devices give you two opportunities for clicking. There are both right and left areas to depress. The left area is generally used for issuing commands to your computer. To access special menus (known as context sensitive menus) use the right portion of your mouse.

When you use your mouse for word processing, you will find that it sometimes changes shape. Please look at the example on the right. By default there is a white arrow that points to the left or right. This enables selection of command options.

Pressing down on the left-mouse twice in rapid succession produces adouble-click. Generally you double-click to open an onscreen object. In this illustration the “My Computer” object to the right is dimmed, indicating a single click has activated it. If you click on the dimmed object, your action will open the file represented by that object.

Sometimes the mouse makes things happen simply by moving around the screen. A mouseover occurs when an onscreen image changes as your mouse travels over it. In the example to the right the active link will change color as you move your mouse over it.

This | Type | Illustrates | Mouseovers

As you practice with your mouse you will notice two other characteristics. Once is the concept of key depress and key release. By clicking once (depressing the left mouse, then immediately releasing it, you cause an onscreen event to happen). In the Flash animation file to the right, use your mouse to depress once and release on any of the buttons. The key depress action causes an onscreen event to take place.

You can also sometimes click and hold down the left mouse. This would be the case when you want to highlight a section of text by moving the mouse over it, or when you want to move an onscreen object using your mouse. In the example to the right you would left-click, then hold down the mouse while you drag across the area you wish to highlight.

 

Getting the feel for using the mouse

Take a few minutes to get accustomed to moving your mouse around on the table surface.

Hold your mouse lightly and do not press down or click any of the controls.

To move the mouse, gently slide it across the table surface. There is no need to turn or lift the mouse.

Now let’s try some mouse exercises!

 

Keyboard Basics

 

Getting familiar with the keyword

The computer takes a familiar tool like a keyboard and empowers it with useful additions and functions. Although a computer keyboard is based on the old typewriter layout, there are some major differences in the ways that keys are used. Computer keyboards also have additional keys. Learning to use the unique keys and special functions of the computer keyboard can save you time and make you more comfortable with your computer.

Function Keys (Fkeys)

Most computer keyboards have a row of function keys at the top of the keyboard. These keys are marked F1 through F10 or F12. While they were widely used with older DOS programs, they are not as popular today. However many programs, including most of Microsoft’s products, support use of the function keys. As a throwback to DOS days, you will find that the F1 key often will bring up a help menu. The function keys are frequently used in combination with other keys such as the CTRL key, the ALT key, and the Shift key. These combinations result in a plethora of possible keyboard shortcuts. Look in the help menu of the program that you are using to find a list of the function keys and their uses.

Return or Enter Key

This key is usually marked Return or Enter, but sometimes is labeled with only a large arrow. This key is used to enter commands or to move the cursor to the beginning of the next line. Also, in every dialog box or alert on both the PC and the Mac, there is a default button or box that is recognizable by its bold or segmented outline. Pressing the Enter key will select that choice. (There is sometimes a second Enter key on the numeric keypad. This functions exactly like the larger Enter key near the alphabet letters.)

Escape Key

The Escape key, which is marked ESC on most keyboards, is basically used to exit or escape from programs and tasks. In many cases, it will have no effect at all. However, it can sometimes get you out of trouble by making the computer go back or escape to a previous screen.

Control Key (CTRL)

The CTRL key is used in conjunction with another key. Holding it down while pressing another key will initiate a certain action. CTRL key combinations are defined by the application being used. Some, however, have become a standard that most programs follow. For instance in most Windows programs, CTRL+S will save the current file or document, and CTRL+P will print the current file or document. Macintosh keyboards have a Control key that is used only sparingly in Mac programs. It is included on the Mac keyboard basically for users who may run Windows and DOS-based programs on their Macs.

Alternate Key (ALT)

Like the Control Key, the ALT key is used in combination with other keys. In most Windows programs, each of the menu choices at the top of the screen has one letter underlined. Holding down the ALT key while pressing the key corresponding to the underlined letter will open the menu just as though you had clicked your mouse on that menu choice. For instance, if the menu shows the choice File, you can open that menu by clicking the mouse on the word File or by pressing the ALT key and the F key simultaneously.

Caps Lock

The Caps Lock key is a toggle key. Pressing it once turns it on. Pressing it again turns it off. Some computer keyboards have a light or indicator that shows when the Caps Lock is on and when it is off. When Caps Lock is on, every letter that is typed will be a capital letter. Unlike a typewriter, the Caps Lock key on a computer keyboard affects only letters. It has no effect on the number or symbol keys.

Num Lock & Numeric Keypad

Many, but not all, computer keyboards have a numeric keypad usually located on the right side of the keyboard. This keypad has a group of number keys with additional markings like arrows, PgDn, End, etc. The numeric pad is controlled by a toggle key marked Num Lock. When the Num Lock key is on, this pad can be used to enter numbers. When the Num Lock key is off, the functions listed below the number will be activated. These functions usually include arrow keys that can be used to move the cursor around the screen. Likewise the keys marked PgUp and Pg Down will move the cursor a page up or down on the screen. The Home and End keys will move the cursor to the beginning or end of a line or document, respectively.

Numeric keypads often include other keys as well. Many include useful symbols such as the period, slash, and plus and minus signs.

Valuable Keyboard Skills

Learning to use the unique keys and mastering the special functions of the computer keyboard can save you a lot of time. Developing keyboard skills is certain to add to your sense of accomplishment when using the computer. Spend some time to make friends with keys such as CTRL, ALT, Caps, ESC, and Return. You’ll be glad you did. But we are not finished yet. In next week’s column, I will continue to explain the benefits of more of the basic but under-used keys on your keyboard.

 

 Using the keyboard

Mistakes happen quickly on the computer keyboard. Because of its sensitivity, the keyboard offers both challenges and rewards. Those rewards come after a bit of practice and study to take advantage of what the keyboard gives you. Mostly those advantages will be learned through practice and additional instruction. At this point we just touch some basic points. Here are some tips to make life simpler, and your work more efficient.

Hold your hand with your thumb on the space bar, first finger on the “F” (left-hand) and “J” (right-hand). Then let your fingers naturally fall so that each rests on top of the next key along the same horizontal row.

As you type, don’t hold down the key after you depress it. If you do keep your finger depressed on a particular key, it will keep sending the computer commands. In this case it will be sending specific commands to repeat itself. So your result will be a string of unwanted characters displayed onscreen.

Understanding the keyboard also means learning the special functions of certain keys. On the computer keyboard you often use two or more keys at the same time, indicated by the “+” sign. For example in managing applications you wil learn that “Ctrl + Alt + Delete” is a decision of last resort. You depress these three keys simultaneously when you just want to get out of whatever muddle that the computer has left you with.

You will see a key marked “Ctrl” This key helps you give the computer commands in combination with other keys (such as Ctrl+P to print a document in many programs). Holding down the shift key causes the keyboard to print either the upper case of an alphabetic character or the top character if two are displayed on the individual key.

The tilde (pronounced “till-deh”) character is in the upper left-hand portion of your keyboard. You will sometimes see it as part of a web address (www.key.com/~board) to indicate that one site is piggybacking on another.

 

Keyboard & mouse drills