Introduction to the Personal Computer (PC): The Basics of “What you need to know”

Brian Simms M.A., CCC-SLP

Assistive Technology Specialist

Goals of the Session

Become familiar with basic hardware of the PC

Know how to open programs and files Know where and how to save your files Know basic conventions in MS programs Know basics of getting around the Internet Answer specific questions

What’s a PC?

Two industry categories of computers– MAC– PC

PC stands for Personal Computer– Dell– Compaq– Hewlett Packard– And others

Anatomy of the PC

RAM, ROM, GB, MHZ, CPU, CD R/W…..WHAT? (cont…)

RAM= Random Access Memory (daily memory) Hard Drive= where your information is stored

(date book) Pentium I-IV Processor = how fast your

computer processes information Computer units of measurement

– GB = gigbytes (usually seen on memory)– MB = megabytes (usually seen on memory)– MHz = megahertz (usually seen on processor speed)

RAM, ROM, GB, MHZ, CPU, CD R/W…..WHAT? CD R/W – allows you to write and re-

write on compact disks CD ROM- allows you to read CDs only

(ROM = read only memory)

English vs. PC Terms

Launch = Start Application = Program Icon = Picture shortcut to the program

The Desktop

The Mouse

Click vs. Double Click

Opening a Program

50 ways to leave your lover Only a couple of ways to open a

program Using Start Menu or Icon

– Double click on icon on your desktop– Right click on icon select Open– Go to Start menu Programs click on

desired program

Opening a File

Go to location where the file is saved and double click on its icon.

How do you know where the file is?

File Storage on the Computer

What we know now about the PC Categories of computers (MAC vs PC) Anatomy of the PC Some PC terms What the “Desktop” is and what’s on it The mouse (Click vs. double click, left click

vs. right click) How to open a program How files are stored in the computer and

where to get them.

Let the fun begin: Opening Programs Let’s start a Word Document for a report How do we open that program?

Features of all Programs in MS

Menus and Toolbars

Application Vocabulary

Menu – gives you list options to manipulate your document. These are different for each program (application).

Toolbar- shortcut to the items in the menus.

Typical beginning operations

Using the File Menu to create new, open and save documents

PRACTICE ACTIVITY

SPECIFIC QUESTIONS?

THE INTERNET

GOALS How do you get on?

How do you look for information?

What are some good search engines?

Common Features of Web Browser

Other Questions?

PLAY TIMETake time to play around and

practice!!