Introduction To Personal Computing

Students will learn basic computer concepts and skills related to IBM and compatible computers. Students will receive a thorough introduction to the hardware components of a personal computer. In addition, they will learn some practical DOS and Windows techniques and become acquainted with applications. Prerequisites

None

Target Student

Students enrolling in this course are not required to have any background knowledge or experience in computers. Performance-Based Objectives

Lesson objectives help students become comfortable with the course, and also provide a means to evaluate learning. Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Identify and connect the parts of the computer.
Use input devices, including the keyboard and mouse.
Describe how the CPU and memory process information.
Identify the purposes of storage devices, and distinguish between types of storage devices.
Identify several output devices and describe their uses.
Apply file-management concepts to create and evaluate file-management schemes.
Use common DOS commands.
Perform common Windows techniques.
Determine the types of application software to use for a given task.

Delivery Method

Instructor-led, group-paced, classroom-delivery learning model with a mix of structured minds-on and hands-on activities. Figures and illustrations are used liberally throughout the student manual and a complete set of overheads is included with this course; providing thorough visual treatment for concepts. What's next

This course is geared toward the beginner computer user. After completing this course, a logical next step would be Windows 3.1 Desktop, Hard-Disk Management in DOS, or OS/2 Introduction, depending on the operating system students will be using. Familiarity with the concepts presented in this course is a prerequisite for many introductory application courses.

Course duration 1 Day(s) Course outline

Lesson 1: Getting started

Orientation to personal computers
The system unit
Connecting the components
Starting the computer

Lesson 2: Input devices

The keyboard
The mouse
Other input devices

Lesson 3: Processing

The CPU
Memory

Lesson 4: Storage

An overview of storage devices
The floppy-disk drive
The hard-disk drive
Other storage devices

Lesson 5: Output devices

Monitors
Printers
Modems
Sound boards

Lesson 6: The operating system

An introduction to the operating system
File-management concepts

Lesson 7: DOS survival guide

Using the command prompt

Lesson 8: Windows survival guide

The Windows Desktop
The Program Manager
Organizing the Desktop
The File Manager

Lesson 9: Application software

Using application software

Appendix A: Networking

An introduction to networking

Platform Requirements Hardware/software Requirements

You will need at least 1 megabyte (MB) of Random Access Memory (RAM) and at least 9 MB of free hard-disk space to run Windows 3.1 in Standard mode. See your reference manual for hardware considerations that apply to your specific hardware setup.