This document provides an overview of basic computer navigation and use. It explains that the desktop is the main work area seen after logging into the computer with a username and password. The desktop contains icons that represent programs and files. Important desktop features include the Start button, mouse, and keyboard. The mouse is used to move the cursor and click icons or menus, while the keyboard is used to enter text. Common keys and mouse functions are defined.

1. WEEK 1:
COMPUTER
BASICS
Lesson 2: How to Navigate Your
Desktop
• Now that you understand how your computer works, let’s take a look at
navigating the desktop and various applications. When you first turn on your
computer, you may come across a login screen. This screen allows multiple
users to share one computer and not risk losing any saved information. For
example, the computers at school are connected to a network.

2. • When you want to use a computer at school, you must enter the student user
name and password. By having users log on, the school limits who can use its
network. Passwords can also protect your personal files from being opened,
deleted, or changed by other people.
• When you first turn on your computer, you may come across a login screen.
• This screen allows multiple users to share one computer and not risk losing any
saved information. For example, the computers at school are connected to a
network.
• When you want to use a computer at school, you must enter the student user
name and password.

3. • Once you have successfully logged in, you will see the
desktop. The desktop is the main work area of your
computer.
• On the desktop, you will see icons, or shortcuts.
• An icon is a little picture that represents programs,
document files, Web links, or other items on the
computer. When you double-click an icon, it takes you
directly to the program or document that it represents.
• One of the most important buttons on the desktop is
the Start-button. This button is usually found in the
bottom left corner of the screen. From here, you can
open all of the programs you use on your computer.
THE DESKTOP

4. • You will use the mouse and the
keyboard to navigate the desktop. It is
important to know what you can do
with the mouse. A mouse will typically
have a left button, a right button, and a
scroll wheel.
THE MOUSE

5. • By moving the mouse across the table
or mouse pad, you can move the cursor
across the desktop.
• By placing the cursor over icons or
other items and clicking the left button,
you can select and open objects. The
object might be a file you want to open,
or a menu through which you give
commands to the computer.
THE MOUSE

6. The mouse cursor can change
shape depending on what it is
pointing at. Usually, it is in the
shape of an arrow.
 The arrow pointer selects
items.
 Use the hand to click or select
items.
 Place the I-beam in your
document to insert text.
 Use the two-headed arrow to
resize objects.
 Use the four-headed arrow to
move objects.
THE MOUSE

7. • Most of the time, you will use the left button on
the mouse for clicking and selecting items.
However, the right button has many important
functions too. Typically, you click the right button
to bring up a shortcut to a list of common
functions that pertain to the program you are
currently in.
• The scroll wheel is used to move a page that you
are looking at up and down the screen. A page
may be too long for you to use, so you can roll the
scroll wheel up or down to bring other parts of the
page into view.

8. MOUSE
COMMANDS

9. • Although you can use the mouse for
many computer functions, you still need
your keyboard to enter text and numbers.
• You can use the keyboard to do many
things that can be done by clicking a
mouse. For example, you can move the
insertion point with either your mouse or
a keyboard key. The insertion point is the
symbol that shows where you will be
entering text or data on your screen. It is
usually a blinking vertical line.
• Most of the keys on the keyboard are
letters, symbols, or numbers. The table
below lists other important keys that you
need to know.
THE KEYBOARD

10. IMPORTANT
KEYBOARD KEYS

11. WHEN YOU USE A KEYBOARD COMMAND, IT S CALLED A SHORTCUT. COMMON
COMMANDS INCLUDE CTRL + C FOR COPY AND CTRL +V FOR PASTE.