Learn Online: Personal Computers Level 1

 If you are frustrated or annoyed while trying to use computer technology or you simply want to become familiar with the terminology, such as input, output, storage, hardware and software, this course will satisfy most of these concerns. This course is a guide for the novice computer user who wants to expand their ability to use a personal computer system and gain general knowledge of how a computer system works. The course does not examine specific computer applications, but rather it will give you an overview of the applications available.

This course will introduce you to the fundamentals of a personal computer system that operates in Windows 98, 2000 or XP. You will explore computer hardware devices, software applications and discover methods to search and retrieve documents from the Internet. The course will provide information on the physical components of the computer and the applications that allow you to be productive using a personal computer. The course will also help you to identify various uses for computers in your business and personal life.

If you like to work at your own pace, review pictorial illustrations and explore through hands on projects this course will provide the learning tools you require. The lessons in this course will give you the foundation if you want to go into specialized computer courses on hardware and software.

You will need access to this course using the Internet and have a word-processing application installed on the computer. The computer operating system should be Microsoft Windows 98, 2000 or XP.

The goals of this course are to help the novice computer user recognize computer hardware devices, use software applications to create basic documents and become familiar with how to access the Internet and use e-mail.

The material provided in this course should be sufficient to get you started becoming a skilled computer user and there are NetLinks to websites for further information.

There are eight assignments seven are worth 5 points each and one is worth 10 points. There are seven self-quizzes to add to your learning, each quiz is worth 15 points. The maximum points for the course are 150. Students will be awarded a certificate for outstanding achievement for accumulating 120 points or higher.

This course may not include all of the latest variations in hardware devices and software usage. I may make changes to the course materials to update when needed. This course is intended to get you started with the basics it is not intended to encompass all technology.

Course Topics:

1. Introduction
2. Hardware
3. Software
4. Windows
5. Help
6. Save and Retrieve documents
7. Internet and e-mail
8. Application Software

Lesson 1 - Introduction
Discover a little background on computer systems and consider what a computer system can do.

Assignment: Introduce yourself to the class

Lesson 2 - Hardware
Overview of hardware devices and how they work with your computer system.

Assignment: Describe hardware devices

Lesson 3 - Software
Identify software and why you need it. Explore a number of different types of software available to purchase.

Assignment: Think about what you would like to do on your computer

Lesson 4 - Windows
Review the computers operating system and its uses.

Quiz - 15 questions

Lesson 5 - Help
Help is available in all software programs, ask the computer to show you how to...

Quiz - 15 questions

Lesson 6 - Save and Retrieve documents
Determine how to retain and organize the documents you create.

Quiz - 15 questions

Lesson 7 - Internet and e-mail
Become familiar with the Internet and e-mail. Discover Internet search methods and how to create, send and retrieve e-mail documents.

Assignment: Research the Internet

Lesson 8 - Application software
Application software that runs in Windows has common characteristics. This lesson will identify some of these characteristics so you can use them effectively.

Assignment: Create a document in a word-processing application