�� The Contents of First Steps ^xp

Scroll down or click on any of the underlined sections below

to go to a more detailed breakdown of the content.

Getting Started

This unit will lead anyone new to the world of computing – even with no knowledge of how to use a mouse – through a series of exercises to develop the basic skills of IT.

Learners will discover how to control the mouse and confidently navigate around the Windows environment.

Along with terminology etc they will gain sufficient knowledge to embark confidently on other IT courses such as ECDL etc.

� Using the mouse

� The Desktop

� Shutdown procedure

� Who’s in charge

What’s Inside Your Computer

This unit explores the important components and raises awareness of the necessary technical words that computer user’s meet.

Learners will be able to confidently converse about their equipment and know the meaning of words used in areas like adverts and instruction manuals.

� Hardware

� Data storage

� Software

Talking To Your Computer

This unit provides opportunities for further practice of the mouse and instructs users on how to use the keyboard for entering and editing text.

Learners will master the keyboard and discover other ways to input data.

� Mouse

� Keyboard

� Cursor control

� Mouse alternatives

� Audiovisual input

Running Your Computer

�Learners are guided around the Windows environment giving useful tips on controlling Windows and file handling.

On completion of this topic learners will be at a level where they can competently use software and manage files

� Working with the desktop

� Window controls

� Creating shortcuts

� Managing folders and files

� Getting Help

� More commands and techniques

Using The Internet

This unit describes the web, shows how to connect to it and then use it safely for a whole variety of applications.

The world of electronic communications will be accessible to learners completing this topic.

� What is the internet?

� Making the connection

� Finding things on the Internet

� Electronic commerce

� Security and filtering

� Constructing your own Web page

Taking Care of Your Computer

Learners are provided with details of how they should take care of equipment – both hardware and software.

They will discover the importance of backing up work, defragging drives and looking after equipment in many other ways.

� Looking after your hard disk

� Computer viruses and antivirus

� Backing up your files

Customising and Upgrading Your Computer

Learners are given an insight into the many ways their equipment can be personalised and improved.

They will discover how easy it is to give their computer a personal feel and add new peripherals to the system.

� Customising your Desktop

� Control settings

� Customising programs

� Enhancing the Operating System

� Installing new software

� Adding and upgrading hardware

How To Get The Most From Your PC

Learners will discover how they can use their computer effectively for both work and pleasure.

This unit supplies learners with ideas for uses of their PC so they can make the most of the technology available.

� Recreation

� Education and career

� Help with paperwork

Breakdown of First Steps ^xp Content

Course Section

�� Content

Getting Started

Using the mouse

Use the mouse to confidently navigate the desktop environment.

The Desktop

Develop a general awareness of the Desktop’s appearance and features.

Shutdown procedure

Become aware of the need to shut down the computer safely and instruct on the methods to achieve this.

Who’s in charge

Enable the student to become confident of safely taking charge of the PC and not be intimidated by it.

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� How to hold the mouse

� Using the mouse on a mat

� How moving the mouse moves a pointer on the screen

� The types of mouse

� Clicking the mouse buttons – single and double clicks

� Dragging and dropping

� Drop Down Menus

� Scrollbars and Scrolling

� Buttons on the screen

� Definition of the term Desktop

� Icons and the Taskbar

� The Start Button

� Changing the Start Menu to XP style

� Changing the rest of the display to XP Style

� How to turn off the PC using the Keyboard

� How to turn off the PC using the Mouse

� How learner’s actions on the computer will not harm it

� The Cancel Button

� Warning messages

What’s Inside Your Computer

Hardware

Develop a general understanding of the PC’s physical anatomy.

Data storage

Develop an awareness of the different ways of storing PC data and how they work.

Software

Develop an understanding of files and software, the different types available, and how they relate to the hardware.

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� The definition of Hardware

� The base Unit

� Monitors

� Other peripherals

� The Motherboard

� The CPU and speeds

� Hard Disk and capacities

� Memory (RAM) and size

� Media – CD (CD-R, CD-RW) floppy disk and DVD

� Formatting Floppy Disks

� The definition of files, folders and their size

� The definition of software

� The Operating System

Talking To Your Computer

Mouse

Provide further opportunities to gain familiarity with the mouse, how it works, and the ability to use it.

Keyboard

Allow learners to develop basic keyboard orientation and skills.

Cursor control

Discover the cursor, what it does and how to control it.

Mouse alternatives

Become acquainted with a range of input devices other than the mouse and keyboard.

Audiovisual input

Develop an awareness of various audiovisual methods of inputting data into the PC.

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� The scroll wheel

� Autoscrolling

� An overview of keyboards and the layout of the keys

� Type (lowercase only)

� Type capital letters using Shift or Caps Lock

� Use the Shift key for symbols

� Type numbers (from the top row or number pad) including mathematical symbols and the decimal point

� Use the function keys including F1 often gives help

� Use the Ctrl and Alt keys including Ctrl+P for printing

� Use the cursor for editing including the Enter and Backspace keys

� Move round text with the cursor keys and Edit it

� Definitions of Trackballs, Joysticks and Touchpads (Graphic Tablets)

� Definitions of Scanners, Cameras (digital and webcam) and microphones

Running Your Computer

Working with the desktop

Develop competence in the use of the Desktop to view and access folders and files, or to run software.

Window controls

Develop the ability to open, configure and close windows.

Creating shortcuts

Learn to create shortcuts to folders or files

Managing folders and files

Gain knowledge of PC folders and files, and how to manipulate or delete them.

Getting Help

Know where to find on-screen Help and how to benefit from it.

More commands and techniques

Become oriented to the most common commands for controlling folder and program windows, and be able to use them.

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� A description of the function of the desktop

� Using the Start Button and Menus

� Using Icons on the Desktop

� Using Windows Explorer

� Opening files and what their extensions mean

� Starting programs from Desktop Icons, the Start Button or from Windows Explorer

� The Windows controls including the three symbols at the top right

� Moving and re-sizing windows

� Having more than one window open at a time

� Creating Shortcuts

� Renaming Shortcuts

� Creating new folders (on the Desktop, Using Windows Explorer and within other folders)

� Moving folders (Drag and Drop, the Move button and Cut and Paste)

� Copying and Moving Multiple Files

� Copying and Moving items between disks

� Renaming files and folders

� Sending files and folders

� Printing files

� Deleting a file and deleting multiple files

� Using the Windows Help and Support Centre – by Topic, Search and Index

� Using available help in a dialogue box

� Using the F1 key

� Using the Menu Bar and Drop down Menus

� The File Menu specifically including New, Open (Load), Save, Save As, Print and Exit

� The Edit Menu specifically including Undo and Select All

� Other Menus specifically including Tools and Format

Using The Internet

What is the internet?

Become aware of the Internet and how it works.

Making the connection

Become able to go online.

Finding things on the Internet

Know how to navigate the Internet using search engines.

Electronic commerce

Be introduced to e-commerce and how it enables online buying and selling.

Security and filtering

Become familiar with methods of protecting the PC, its contents and users from the hazards of going online.

Constructing your own Web page

Become informed on how to go about creating a website.

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� What the Internet is and the terms needed for it

� How to log on

� Your Internet address and its form

� Search engines

� Hyperlinks and surfing the net

� Definition of e-commerce

� The worries including viruses, privacy, copyright, unfit materials and chat room pretenders

� The source of information and software to create personal web pages

Taking Care of Your Computer

Looking after your hard disk

Recognise that the hard disk requires regular maintenance and discover how to maintain it.

Computer viruses and antivirus

Become aware of the danger of computer viruses and learn how to avoid or tackle them.

Backing up your files

Understand the importance of data backup and the different methods of backing up files.

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� How to check for disk errors

� Defragmenting – the need and how to do it

� What viruses are and precautions to avoid them

� Antivirus software

� The need for backups

� Backing up to floppy disks and CDs

Customising and Upgrading Your Computer

Customising your Desktop

Develop the ability to adjust the appearance, features and function of the Desktop.

Control settings

Become capable of modifying the PC’s response to input devices and knowing how to change settings.

Customising programs

Develop the ability to modify the appearance and function of computer programs.

Enhancing the Operating System

Learn how to add accessories to Windows.

Installing new software

Learn how to install and remove PC applications.

Adding and upgrading hardware

Know how to install upgraded components or extra hardware, and any software required to run them.

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� Changing the Desktop appearance including themes, style, colour schemes, wallpaper

� Screen Savers – their purpose and implementation

� Changing Taskbar and Start Menu properties specifically including auto-hide and Classic and XP styles

� Changing the Keyboard repeat rate

� Changing the mouse properties specifically including the double-click rate and converting it to Left Handed

� Changing the mouse pointer and its speed and trail

� Using the View Menu

� Using the Windows Menu

� Changing Options, Preferences and Properties

� Adding further Windows Accessories to the computer if they are not already installed – e.g. Paint, Calculator and games

� How to install software via the Wizard

� How to install software through Windows

� How to remove programs

� How to add external devices to USB, serial and parallel ports

� How to add a printer

� What internal cards are and recommendation that professionals upgrade them if necessary

How To Get The Most From Your PC

Recreation

Become aware of the PC’s recreational potential and the range of recreational software available.

Education and career

Learn how the PC can be used to help the learner further their education and career.

Help with paperwork

Recognise the PC’s potential as an aid to running a household.

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� The range of games available

� How the PC can be used for music

� How the PC can be used for drawing/display

� Digital photography and the PC

� How the PC can be used for Video clips and animation

� How the PC can be used for DTP

� How the PC can be used for educational software

� Distance learning using the Internet

� Use the address book to store names etc.

� Use a word-processor for correspondence