Word Processing Lesson - Terms of the Day 1

Goal
To develop computer literacy skills

Objective
Learners will gain familiarity with computer terminology.

Skills
Word processing: using the mouse, cursor, and insertion point; deleting and backspacing; basic text formatting (bolding, centering and enlarging text).

Preparation/pre-requisite skills
Opening a word processing program, mouse skills, basic keyboarding

Time
45 minutes to one hour

Related Activities
What’s In That Box? See Inside the Computer; Terms of the Day 2 and 3

Instructor’s Notes
The terms of the day are divided into 3 sections. I distribute the terms during the first few weeks of class. I use the terms frequently and encourage students to use them as much as possible. For example I’ll ask them “What is an icon?” or “Show me the insertion point” when I go around to work with them individually, so that these terms clearly have useful, practical functions.

This exercise works well even with multi-levels, since more experienced learners can contribute what they know. Often even those with more experience may not know what all the terms mean, so the lesson is valuable for them as well.

Computer Terms of the Day 1
hardware, software, hard drive, disks, keyboard, mouse, monitor, cursor, insertion point, click, double-click, drag, icon

Activity

Give the class the handout “Terms of the Day 1” WITHOUT definitions.

Go through the terms one at a time, asking the students if anyone can define the term for the class. It may be necessary to rephrase or clarify the definition.

Participants write each definition on their handouts. This helps to remember what the terms mean.

From their handwritten list they will create a word processing document of their own. Instructors can also use Computer Terms of the Day 2 and 3.

Follow-up
The terms list can be used to practice simple formatting, by doing things like bolding the terms, centering the title and increasing the font size, etc. It’s also useful for very new students to practice things like moving the insertion point with the mouse and with the arrow keys, using the enter key, and using backspace and delete. This can be done as a group with participants who are on a similar level.

Here’s the Terms 1 list with its definitions:

hardware - the physical equipment of the computer

software - programs or applications such as Microsoft Word, Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing, etc.

hard disk - the built-in main storage space of the computer

disks - places to store information, for example: floppy disk, hard disk,zip disk

keyboard - a tool (with keys) for communicating with the computer

mouse - a (hand-operated) tool for communicating with the computer

monitor - display

cursor - usually a small arrow, it shows you where you are on the screen

insertion point - flashing vertical line which shows where you are in a document. Can be called the “action point”.

click - press the mouse button, then release it right away

double-click - do it twice

drag - press the mouse button, don’t release it, then slide the mouse

icon - a small picture symbol (can be for a program, document or folder)