COMPUTER LAB ORIENTATION 

WELCOME TO THE COMPUTER STRAND!

Congratulations! You will be the first to use the new laptop computers! They will be your responsibility (during computer instruction time) in the next six weeks and I have organized some guidelines to help you learn how to take care of the laptops!

Golden Rule: Never touch the laptop screen! They are highly sensitive!

Classroom Rules:

þ      No food or beverages are allowed near the computers.

þ      No personal belongings on the computer tables.

þ      You will be instructed on how to plug/unplug the laptops. Please follow the instructions. Ask for help anytime!

þ      Let me know if you think something is wrong with your computer.

Instruction Rules:

þ      We will set up and break down our lab each day. We will need extra time to do this so I will give you instructions when our break down time has arrived.

þ      When setting up and breaking down, follow exact instructions for handling the laptop and for storage.

þ      Use the same laptop everyday.

þ      Laptops are sensitive. It is not necessary to tap the keypad with force. Use a gentle touch.

þ      Never touch the screen with your hand or any other object.

þ      Never leave the room without asking someone to attend to your laptop.

þ      The laptop must stay in the classroom except when storing.

þ      When asked to save a document, save to the A: drive (diskette).

þ      Do not print any material unless asked to do so.

þ      Do not scan any material unless asked to do so.

þ      During instruction time, follow along. Ask for help anytime! There will be time for individual exploration!

COMPUTER SKILLS SURVEY

1.       Have you ever used a computer before?

2.     If yes, when and what for?

3.     If not, why not?

4.     Why do you want to learn how to use a computer?

5.     What computer skills do you think are important?

6.     Do you think that the computer can help you study for the GED? How?

7.     Do you think that having computer skills can help you to get ready for employment, or help you obtain a job? If you are already working, will computer skills be beneficial to your performance at work?

8.     Have you ever used the Internet? If so, what for?

Word Processing          
Styles                            Forms                     Database                     Mail Merges                    Microsoft Word             Graphics                 Word Perfect              Templates

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Excel
Spread Sheets               Databases                Linking Sheets or Files

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Windows 95/98  
Start Menu                    Shortcuts                Control Panels              Explorer       Briefcase                       Installing

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Files Management
Briefcase                        Shortcuts               Archives                      Networking  Import/Export                Directories            Backing -Up                 Copy/Cut/Paste/Delete

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E-Mail
Address Book                 Mailing List             Attachments                Forwarding
Discussion Group            Folders                   Opening/Send Mail      Web Page Development

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Browsing
Navigation/Netscape     Search Tools            Archives                       Downloading  
Word Search

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Presentation
Power Point                    CD-ROM               Transparencies

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