Online Learning Tutorials: Basic
Computer Essentials

What is touch typing?

Touch typing is practice or skill of typing without looking at the keys on a keyboard typewriter. This means that your fingers rest on the keys and each finger has certain keys that it will reach to as you enter words and numbers into the computer. If you practice your touch-typing skills, you'll get faster and faster. Some people who have been typing a long time and who have practiced can type more than 120 words per minute. Once you learn the basics of touch-typing, you can improve your skills by playing typing games and by taking timed typing quizzes.

How dose a mouse or touchpad help you use a computer?

Using a computer will often involve using a computer mouse or touchpad, too. Your mouse or touchpad allow you o move the computer cursor around the screen. The mouse has to rest on a flat surface near the computer. It has buttons that you use to select items that you see on your computer screen. The mouse usually has a scrolling wheel that you can use to scroll up or down your computer screen, too. A touchpad is typically found on laptop computers, appearing in the lower center of the laptop base, just under the keyboard. It functions the same way as a mouse, allowing you to select items, scroll, and move around your computer screen as needed. You can use the mouse or touchpad to open programs, select text or files, drag and drop items you've selected, hover over items, and scroll to see different parts of a document or a web page. Using a mouse or touch pad can feel a little tricky at first, but if you practice with it, you'll learn how to use it quickly.

How do you stay safe while using a computer?

Using a computer also involves making safe decisions about how and when you use it. Safety is especially important when you use a computer to navigate the Internet. Think of connecting to the Internet like opening a window. You will be able to see out and access many resources, but if you’re not careful, you could inadvertently allow others access to your information as well. Here are a few tips to ensure you remain safe online:

1. Use strong passwords. Don’t give cyber criminals the opportunity to take advantage of you by easily accessing (and possibly taking over) your accounts. Be sure to choose a strong password for all of your accounts (e.g., banking, email, online games) and change it regularly.
2. Check website security. Does the website have an “https” at the beginning? The “s” at the end of https stands for secure. It means that any data that is transferred on that website is encrypted to ensure better security.
3. Use caution when opening emails or attachments from unknown senders. Some people will try to take advantage of you by sending emails that try to trick you into giving them personal information, sending them money, or opening a corrupt attachment that installs a virus on your computer. Before you give any information away or open attachments, be sure to double check the sender and look for any misspellings or email addresses you don’t know. When in doubt, don’t share your information. If the person is legit, they will reach out in another way to confirm their identity and intentions.
4. Use an anonymous username when playing games online. Whether you’re an adult gamer or a child, don’t put yourself at risk by using your real name as your username. Keep yourself anonymous and in the shadows – kind of like a spy in a novel.
5. Ensure adult permission or supervision when children are online. Children should always ask for permission to use the Internet and only access websites that are safe and appropriate for children. Unfortunately, there are people with bad intentions who seek to take advantage of children on a variety of websites, even those deemed safe for children. By having a parent or adult monitor activity and screen any interactions online, children can stay much safer and still enjoy their favorite online games, do research for school, or otherwise engage with websites.
6. Children should alert an adult if they feel uncomfortable or unsafe. If a child ever feels unsafe or uncomfortable with a website or interactions with someone online, they should immediately tell an adult. Not everyone has the best intentions online, so it’s important to stay aware and use caution when online – both as a child and as an adult.

Remember, once you post or upload something to the Internet, the information stays there. Even if you later delete something, there are saved versions of websites that will have captured and saved your information. So, the best thing is to never post or upload anything that you don't want to be available on the Internet forever.

What resources should I use to learn basic computer skills?

There are numerous resources available to help you learn basic computer skills, including keyboarding, mouse operation, and general computer safety. Once you have developed these skills, you’ll be ready to take on new challenges and explore more advanced computer skills. You may even choose to pursue a career that centers on computers, such as a software engineer, health information technologist, electronic medical record specialist, or others. But let’s not get too far ahead of ourselves – the first step is to learn the basics. To that end, we curated some great resources to help you get started!

Basic computer skills

Online computer essentials certificate program: Gain a fundamental understanding of computers, including common hardware and software, Microsoft Office programs (e.g., Excel, Word, Outlook), basic cybersecurity security principles, and internet research strategies.

Keyboarding

• Free Typing Lessons: Learn how to type with this interactive typing tutor resource. With the help of a colorful keyboard and animated hands, you’ll easily be able to see (and practice) how to touch-type.
• Typing Lessons: Getting Started: Learn to type with beginner, intermediate, and advanced typing lessons.
• Typing Tutorials: Typing tutorials designed especially for children.
• Winter Typing Game: A fun (or should we say chilly) twist to typing tutorials. This winter-themed typing game encourages children to type the words as they appear.
• Dance Mat Typing: Learn to type with progressive typing lessons that cover things like the home row and punctuation.
• Typing Practice and Tutorials: Typing tutorials designed for all grade and experience levels.
• Beginner Typing Lesson: Explore a variety of typing lessons that help you learn how to touch type, including games to reinforce your learning.
• Typing Attack: Play a game and learn to type at the same time! This is a great resource for all ages.
• Home Row Practice 1: Practice typing using the home row, which is essential to the touch-typing methodology.
• Typing Tidepool: Fun typing game where you earn points by typing words in boxes that match the words on the screen.
• Keyboard Challenge: Keyboard game for children in grades 2 and higher that allows them to become more familiar with the keyboard.
• Nitrotype Race: Keyboard game for children in grades 2 and higher that allows them to become more familiar with the keyboard.
• Keyboard Builder: Gain familiarity with the keyboard with this children’s building game, allowing users to “build” a keyboard with the appropriate letters.
• Basic Typing Lessons: Learn to type with four progressive levels, from basic to advanced.
• Typing Alien: Love space and the idea of aliens? Play this alien and space-inspired typing game.
• Typing Fingers: Learn how to touch-type with this interactive tutorial.
• Typing Game: Learn to type faster with touch-typing.
• Words Per Minute Test For Kids: Improve typing speed and accuracy with this typing test.

Mouse Exercises

• Mouse Exercises: Practice using a mouse.
• Mouse Tutorial: Learn how to properly hold and use a mouse.
• Practice the Mouse: Simple website that teaches users how to use a mouse.

Safe and Smart Internet Use

• How to Stay Safe on Gaming Sites: Get tips for staying safe with online gaming sites. Advice is geared especially for parents, but can be used by anyone frequenting these sites.
• How to Protect Your Child from the Top 7 Dangers of Online Gaming: Learn about some of the top dangers associated with online gaming, including cyber bullying, privacy issues, webcam concerns, online predators, and more.
• Interland Internet Safety Game: Play a fun, interactive game that teaches users how to stay safe online.
• Internet Safety Hangman: Combine the classic word guessing game, hangman, with internet safety terms and concepts and you have a fun way to learn about internet safety.
• Pause and Think Online: A free lesson for children to learn about the importance of being safe, responsible, and respectful online.
• Internet Safety: Read this helpful article for parents on the topic of online safety.
• Online Safety Quiz: Take the quiz to test your online safety knowledge.
• What is your Internet use IQ?: Read some great online safety tips for kids and adults alike. Topics cover things like benefits of anti-virus software, tips for creating strong passwords, how to ensure online transactions are secure, how to report a cyber crime, how to set up parental controls, tips for safe social networking, and more.