Design Document: Computer Basics
Class Description
New to computers or been awhile since you used one? Come to Computer Basics and learn how to start
and shut down a computer; create, save, and open a file; create a folder; and rename files and folders.
Prerequisites: Mouse & Keyboard Basics
Curriculum Track
Basics
Audience
Adults
Course Length
90 minutes
Training Method
Instructor-led hands-on
Purpose
To introduce new users to basic terminology, functionality, and navigation of computers
Equipment Requirements
Projector and projection screen; computers with internet access for the instructor and each participant;
laser pointer (recommended)
Software Requirements
Windows 7
Material Requirements
Pens or pencils, activity sheets, handouts, participant surveys
Learning Objectives
At the end of the session, learners will be able to:
Identify and define basic computer components
Navigate a computer desktop
Start and shut down a computer
Create, save, and open a file
Create and move a file into a folder
Rename a file and/or folder
Assessment Technique(s)
Successful completion of class activities
Courtesy of Gail Borden Public Library and the Public Library Association 9/15
Content Outline
Agenda (3 mins)
Outline the following topics that will be covered in class:
o Terminology & Descriptions
o Desktop Elements
o Starting Up & Shutting Down a Computer
o Creating, Saving, & Accessing a File
o Creating Folders & Renaming Files
Topics, Talking Points, and Activities (85 mins.)
Terminology & Descriptions
o Define the following terms for participants as you move through the presentation slides:
Computer: An electronic device for storing and processing data based on a program or
logic sequence involving numbers and codes
Desktop Computer: A computer with a separate monitor, keyboard, and processor
Laptop Computer: A portable computer that contains the monitor, keyboard, and processor
in one unit
Monitor: The computer component that allows users to view images
Flash Drive: A pocket-size data storage device used to save computer files; also called a
thumb drive or USB drive
Desktop: The primary display area on a computer screen
Icon: A small graphical representation of a program
Window: An area of the screen that displays information for a specific program
independently from other parts of the screen
Taskbar: A stationary strip of icons used to access frequently-used programs such as
Internet Browsers or Microsoft products
System Tray: A stationary taskbar that contains icons for system functions such as time,
date, and audio volume
Start Menu: The central launching point for computer programs and tasks in a Windows
computer
ACTIVITY: Have participants complete Activity #1 on the Activity Sheet
Desktop Elements
o Explain that now that you’ve provided basic definitions, it’s important to understand how the
Desktop elements work together so users can navigate within the computer
o Share that the desktop is like home base and is the first place they will visit to access all
programs and functions
Courtesy of Gail Borden Public Library and the Public Library Association 9/15
o Use screenshots or a live demo to illustrate the following items:
Double-clicking on an icon on the Desktop, in the Taskbar, or in the System Tray opens the
program in a new window
Clicking on the x in the upper right corner closes a program and its window
Clicking on the _ in the upper right corner minimizes (hides) a program and its window
instead of closing it
Clicking on the double window icon in the upper right corner of a program while it is open
allows you to adjust between full screen view and window view
Clicking on the Start menu allows you to access All Programs loaded on your computer as
well as important areas that contain ways to manage and organize your programs, like:
Computer, which allows you to see all of your drives and browse for files
Control Panel, which allows you to adjust all system settings like Display, Language,
Security, create additional user accounts, and uninstall programs
Devices and Printers, which allows you to check the status of print jobs and configure
scanners, portable hard drives, and other external devices to your computer
Help and Support, which connects you to your computer manufacturer’s resources to help
you answer questions about how your computer works
ACTIVITY: Have participants complete Activity #2 on the Activity Sheet
o Starting Up & Shutting Down
o Explain that to maintain a computer properly, users should not leave it up and running all the
time
o Click on the Start menu and show users the options for managing computer activity; if an
option is not visible on the student computers, skip it and move to the next. Explain each option,
as follows:
Log Off
Closes programs and logs off the current user
Allows another user to log in with his or her own profile
Typically used on shared computers or when privacy concerns require individual
accounts
Requires users to log in with personalized credentials (i.e., log in and password)
Lock
Locks the computer in its current state so no one else can access it
Typically used in offices when someone leaves his or her desk and does not want to log
out
Requires the current user’s (or an administrator’s) password to unlock it
Restart
Closes all open programs and shuts down/restarts Windows (reboots)
Either logs in the current user automatically or populates the username box with the
current user’s login (if auto-saved)
Courtesy of Gail Borden Public Library and the Public Library Association 9/15
Typically used when an application gets hung up
May or may not require users to enter their username and password on the log in screen
Sleep
Keeps your session in memory and puts the computer in a low-power state so the user
can quickly resume working
Typically used to save energy without having to log out or turn the computer off
Requires the user to press a key or move the mouse to bring it out of “hibernation”
Hibernate
Saves your session and turns off the computer
Typically used to bypass the log off/log in processes
Requires the user to turn on the power at which point Windows will restore your session
Shut down (default)
Closes all programs, shuts down Windows, and turns off the computer
Typically used at the end of the day
Requires users to turn power back on and log in with credentials
o Highlight that on most computers, the power button is either on the front of the processor
(desktop) or inside the lid (laptop)
ACTIVITY: Have participants complete Activity #3 on the Activity Sheet
Creating, Saving, & Accessing Files
o Explain that there are many types of documents users can create for different purposes; in
today’s class, participants will be using Microsoft Word to create a document
o Outline the following steps for creating and saving a document as you move through the slides
(or do a live demo, if you prefer):
1. Open a new Word document
2. Type the sentence, “I really enjoy teaching computer classes!”
3. Click File > Save As and show participants the Save As window
4. Use the scroll bar to show participants how to browse between folders and drives
5. Click on the Desktop icon and then in the File name box
6. Name your file Teaching and save it to the Desktop by clicking the Save button
ACTIVITY: Have participants complete Activity #4 on the Activity Sheet
Creating Folders & Renaming Files
o Explain that computer files are organized and maintained through the process of creating and
managing Folders
o Outline the following steps for creating and moving a file into a folder as you move through the
slides (or do a live demo, if you prefer):
1. Minimize all applications and use your mouse to right-click on the Desktop
Courtesy of Gail Borden Public Library and the Public Library Association 9/15
2. Without pressing any buttons on the mouse, move it down to New and right to Folder, then
left-click to select it
3. Type Computer Basics and press the Enter key to save the change
4. Use the mouse to left-click on the Teaching file you created
5. Without letting go of the button, drag the file on top of the Computer Basics folder you just
created on the desktop
6. Release the left mouse button, and double-click on the folder to open it; you should see your
Teaching file inside of it
o Outline the following steps for renaming a folder and/or a file as you show the slide (or do a live
demo, if you prefer):
1. Use your mouse to right-click on the Computer Basics folder or the Teaching file inside it
2. Without pressing any buttons on the mouse, move it down to Rename, then left-click to
select it
3. Type Practice Folder and press the Enter key to save the change
ACTIVITY: Have participants complete Activity #5 on the Activity Sheet
Wrap Up/Closing (3 mins.)
Highlight the upcoming technology classes and share the types of topics that will be covered
Ask if there are questions and answer any that were “parked” during the session
Thank participants for coming and ask them to complete the class survey before leaving
Courtesy of Gail Borden Public Library and the Public Library Association 9/15
