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Introduction to Personal Computers

Introduction to Personal Computers
This series is designed to introduce users to personal computers. Users will learn what a PC is and what an operating system is. They will learn basic computer skills such as turning a computer on, logging on to Windows, and working with files. Users will also learn to identify and use the major components of a PC, both externally and internally, including: disk drives, monitors, mice, keyboards, and printers.
Audience:
This series is for anyone who wants an introduction to the use of a PC with Windows as the operating system.
Features:
  • Flash and audio provide animated, interactive Lesson Introductions, Activities, and Simulations.
  • Flash scenarios use real world situations to illustrate course concepts.
  • Streaming video scenarios illustrate real world issues and solutions discussed in the course.
  • Audio accompanies each lesson page throughout the course.
  • Decision Point activities allow learners to work toward an outcome in an interactive environment.
  • Activities allow learners to apply course concepts in an interactive questioning environment.
  • Exercises allow learners to practice in the actual application being studied.
  • A Course Topics list contains active hyperlinks, permitting quick access to specific topics.
  • Find-A-Word allows learners to look up an unfamiliar term in the Glossary, on the Web, or in a dictionary. In addition, it lets them find other occurrences of the term in the same course.
  • Search text enables learners to rapidly search all text within a course to easily retrieve information required.
  • Courses challenge the learner with a variety of question formats, including multi-step simulations, true/false, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank.
  • A skill assessment generates a customized learning path based on the results of a pre-test.
  • A glossary provides a reference for definitions of unfamiliar terms.
  • Bookmarking tracks the learner's progress in a course.
Click on the titles below to show/hide included course information if the tooltips go out of view.


Basic Peripherals

Summary:

This course describes the function and uses of typical peripherals that are used with PCs.

Objectives:

  • Adjust and operate a monitor
  • Use a mouse
  • Operate a keyboard
  • Configure and use a printer

Topics:

  • Monitors and graphics
  • Adjusting the monitor
  • Altering the display
  • Using two monitors
  • Troubleshooting monitors
  • Types of mice
  • Using a mouse
  • Adjusting a mouse
  • Using the keyboard
  • Troubleshooting the keyboard
  • Types of printers
  • Setting up a printer
  • Using a printer

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Javascript, DHTML and cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.
Inside Your PC

Summary:

This course explains the components within a PC and how they are used.

Objectives:

  • Identify the motherboard, BIOS and microprocessor
  • Explain the use of jacks, ports and other connections
  • Recognize types of disk drives
  • Define, idenify and add memory

Topics:

  • The motherboard and BIOS
  • The microprocessor
  • Connecting to the motherboard
  • Using the PC's clock
  • Jacks and ports
  • Using USB ports
  • Using FireWire and serial ports
  • Using other connections
  • Types of disk drives
  • The hard disk drive
  • CD-ROM and DVD drives
  • Other disk drives
  • Defining memory
  • Identifying your PC's memory
  • Adding memory to your PC

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Javascript, DHTML and cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.
Internet and E-mail Tips

Summary:

This course provides users with detailed information on how to best use the Internet, Web browsers, and e-mail.

Objectives:

  • Use Internet search engines
  • Set bookmarks on Web pages
  • Personalize e-mail messages
  • Use the Outlook Express Address Book
  • Download programs and music from the Internet
  • Send and receive e-mail attachments

Topics:

  • Searching the Web
  • Shopping online
  • Using bookmarks and history
  • Other tips for using the Internet
  • Personalizing your e-mail
  • Managing your e-mail
  • Using your address book
  • Other tips for using e-mail
  • Saving a Web page
  • Downloading programs and music
  • Working with e-mail attachments
  • Using FTP

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Javascript, DHTML and cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.
Introducing the Internet

Summary:

This course introduces users to the Internet and explains how to use a Web browser and e-mail.

Objectives:

  • Configure Windows for the Internet
  • Connect to the Internet
  • Disconnect from the Internet
  • Use a Web browser
  • Send and read e-mail

Topics:

  • Getting on the Internet
  • Configuring Windows for the Internet
  • Connecting to the Internet
  • Using Internet software
  • Using a Web browser
  • Visiting Web sites
  • Starting Outlook Express
  • Sending e-mail
  • Reading e-mail

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Javascript, DHTML and cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.
Introducing the PC

Summary:

This course introduces users to basic computer concepts and instructs users on how to start the PC.

Objectives:

  • Explain what a PC is
  • Identify components of a PC
  • Describe types of PCs
  • Start and shut down a PC

Topics:

  • Defining a PC
  • Describing a typical PC
  • The front of the PC's console
  • The back of the PC's console
  • Types of PCs
  • Basic PC software
  • Turning on the PC
  • Using a power strip or UPS (uninteruptible power source)
  • Starting Windows
  • Logging on to Windows
  • Shutting down the PC
  • Resetting the PC
  • Leaving the computer on

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Javascript, DHTML and cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.
Other Peripherals

Summary:

This course and uses of other peripherals available for a PC including modems, sound cards, scanners, digital cameras, and external disk drives and explains how to install these peripherals.

Objectives:

  • Connect and use a modem
  • Utilize sound on a PC
  • Create and edit images
  • Identify and install peripherals

Topics:

  • Defining Modems
  • Types of Modems
  • Connecting a Modem to Your PC
  • Using a Modem
  • Sound on a PC
  • Using Sound in Windows
  • Using Other Sound Features
  • Scanners and Digital Cameras
  • Moving Images to a PC
  • Editing Images
  • Installing Peripherals
  • Identifying Popular Peripherals
  • Upgrading Your PC

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Javascript, DHTML and cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.
Troubleshooting and Tips

Summary:

This course provides users with information on how to protect data on their computer and overcome potential problems in addition to offering tips on how to maximize the efficiency of their PC.

Objectives:

  • Back up files
  • Use System Restore and Safe Mode
  • Handle viruses and other issues
  • Troubleshoot common problems
  • Identify common mistakes and helpful tips

Topics:

  • Using the Emergency Boot Disk
  • Backing Up Your Files
  • Dealing with Viruses
  • Using System Restore
  • Checking Your PC for Trouble
  • Using Safe Mode
  • Checking for Device Conflicts
  • Restoring a Device Driver
  • Troubleshooting Startup Problems
  • Identifying Sources for Help
  • Identifying Ten Common Mistakes
  • Identifying Ten Smart Purchases
  • Top Ten Tips from a Guru

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Javascript, DHTML and cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.
Understanding Software

Summary:

This course introduces users to typical software available for PCs and how to install and update the software.

Objectives:

  • Install software
  • Uninstall software
  • Update software
  • Describe common types of software

Topics:

  • Buying software for your PC
  • Installing software
  • Uninstalling software
  • Updating software
  • Software for the some
  • Entertainment software
  • Business software
  • Other software

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Javascript, DHTML and cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.
Using Your PC

Summary:

This course teaches users how to navigate within the Windows operating system and use the drives in a PC.

Objectives:

  • Navigate the desktop
  • Use the Windows taskbar and Start menu
  • Use windows, menus and dialog boxes
  • Use a PC's disk drives

Topics:

  • Navigating the desktop
  • Using the Windows taskbar
  • Using the Start menu
  • Exploring Windows
  • Using windows in Windows
  • Using menus and dialog boxes
  • Getting help from Windows
  • Describing a PC's disk drives
  • Locating a PC's disk drives
  • Accessing disk drive information
  • Using the CD-ROM/DVD drive
  • Using the floppy drive
  • Using the Zip drive

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Javascript, DHTML and cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.
Working with Folders and Files

Summary:

This course introduces users to the concepts of folders and files and explains how they are used within the Windows operating system

Objectives:

  • Create, use and delete folders
  • Create, open, name and save files
  • Find, move, copy and delete files
  • Create shortcuts to files

Topics:

  • Using folders
  • Viewing folders
  • Creating folders
  • Deleting folders
  • Compressing folders
  • Using the Open dialog box
  • Using the Save As dialog box
  • Naming files
  • Selecting files
  • Moving files
  • Copying files
  • Creating shortcuts
  • Deleting and undeleting files
  • Finding files in Windows

Technical Requirements:

P500+ Processor, 128MB of RAM; Windows 2000, 2003, XP, Vista, Minimum screen resolution 800x600, Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher; Windows Media Player 9.0 or higher; Flash 8.0 or higher; 56K minimum connection; broadband (256 kpbs or higher) connection recommended; Javascript, DHTML and cookies enabled; Sound card with speakers or headphones strongly recommended.

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