Computer Basics - Windows

Extras Grade Level Requirements "It's frozen" Test Yourself

Desktop

The on-screen work area on which windows, icons, menus, and dialog boxes appear.

Background

The color, design, picture, etc. that makes up the "bottom" layer of the desktop. The icons are on "top".

Icon

A symbol (picture) for a program, a command, a folder, or a file that appears on the screen.

Taskbar

bar that contains the "start button", "clock", control icons (ex. volume) and other items; it may be placed at any edge of the desktop (not just at the bottom); to move it, place the mouse pointer on a "blank" spot on it and drag it (swooshing action, like Nike swoosh) to the closest edge (not across the desktop, so you may have to move it several times to get it where you want it)

Start Button (Common Uses)	Start Programs
	Log on/off Network
	Shut down the computer
Clock	Shows the time
Clock	Shows the date when you point to it and don't click

Cursor

A pointer that can be moved across the screen, usually through the use of a mouse (arrow keys and other keys may also be used). The cursor may have many different shapes which change for different actions. When you type something on your keyboard, the information appears at the cursor, which is usually a flashing line.

Title Bar

Located at the top of a window.

At the left side, the title bar displays the name of the window (the program name, the name of the document, the name of the choices, etc.)

At the right side are the Minimize (minus sign), Maximize/Restore (middle button), and Exit (x) buttons.

Minimize	make the window small, so small that it becomes a button in the taskbar
Maximize	increase the size of the window so it fills the desktop - the middle button icon looks like one "square" (example above)
Restore	return the window to its previous size - the middle button icon looks like two squares
Exit	close the window

Menu Bar

words you click on to do things to your document
(remember "menu" - the "choices" you have at a restaurant that are usually words you read)

Tool Bar

shortcut buttons for frequently used tasks (you can get to all of these actions through words in the menu bar also)

Learn more about Word toolbars: Standard Toolbar - Formatting Toolbar - Drawing Toolbar

Move windows

Click on the title bar, keep the left mouse button down, drag.

Extras

calculator, character map, Windows Explorer (My Computer, Network Neighborhood [(My Network Places])

Help Yourself
What to do when you are stuck, the computer seems frozen, etc. In case there are problems later it is a good idea to save often, Save Often, SAVE OFTEN!

1. Be patient, keep calm. Try to save (Ctrl+S). Try these steps, in this order:

2. Try Escape

3. Try Alt+F4

4. End Task through Task Manager - press Ctrl+Alt+Delete - a new window should open (if necessary click on the Task Manager tab) - click End Task - a new window might open (be patient) - click End Now - the program should close, then try again.

5. Ask for help.

Skills Needed
4th Graders	5th Graders	6th Graders
Know the above terms	Do all 4th grade items	Do all 4th & 5th grade items
Proficiency clicking icons, opening/closing windows, moving between windows	Using dialog boxes	.
How to navigate a menu, select an option, return to main menu	.	.
Using toolbars	.	.
Using menu	.	.
Using scroll bar	.	.
Program troubleshooting - what to do when you are stuck- Alt+F4, Esc, etc	.	.

Test Yourself - see if you can correctly answer these questions!

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Last updated October 06, 2006 ~ Mrs. K. Bradley
ot_kab@nwoca.org