basic-computer-mouse-keyboard-windows

Basic Computer Skills · Lesson 2 of 8

Mouse, Keyboard and Windows Basics

Control the pointer, type and edit text, use the Start menu and move confidently between open Windows applications.

Complete beginner
75 minutes
Guided practice
Windows 11 examples

Course progressLesson 2 of 8Lesson 2 of 8

Lesson outcomes

By the end of this lesson, you can…

Use single-click, double-click, right-click, drag and scroll.
Type capitals, numbers and common symbols.
Use essential shortcuts for copy, paste, undo and save.
Open, switch, minimise and close applications.

Prepare

Before you begin

What you need

The computer used in Lesson 1.
A mouse or touchpad and a working keyboard.
A blank practice document or text box.

Safe practice

Use a practice account and non-sensitive information. Ask the computer owner before changing settings, installing software or sharing files.

Learn

Understand and practise the skill

The mouse and keyboard are two ways of giving instructions. Accuracy matters more than speed. Learn a small set of repeatable actions, pause after each one and watch how the screen responds.

Key terms

Pointer

The on-screen shape controlled by the mouse or touchpad.

Cursor

The blinking line showing where typed text will appear.

Window

The rectangular area where an application or folder appears.

Shortcut

A key combination that performs a common command quickly.

Lesson 2 demonstration mediaAdd current screenshots or a short demonstration video before final publication when available.

Follow the demonstration

Practise pointer actions. Point, single-click to select, double-click to open, right-click for choices and use the wheel to scroll.
Type and correct text. Use Shift for a capital, Backspace to remove the previous character and Enter for a new line.
Select text. Drag across a short sentence and observe the highlight.
Use safe shortcuts. Practise Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z and Ctrl+S.
Manage windows. Use the taskbar to switch, minimise, restore and close an application.

Worked example

Essential shortcuts
Ctrl+C  Copy
Ctrl+V  Paste
Ctrl+X  Cut
Ctrl+Z  Undo
Ctrl+S  Save
Windows+E  Open File Explorer

Your turn

Complete the guided activity

Repeat the demonstration using the safe practice items and tick each completed result.

I completed single-click, double-click, right-click and scrolling practice.I typed a sentence with a capital letter, number and punctuation.I selected, copied and pasted text.I used Undo and Save shortcuts.I opened two applications and switched between them using the taskbar.

0 of 5 tasks

0 of 5 tasks complete0%

Knowledge check

Check your understanding

Complete all three questions, then check your answers.

Complete the lesson

Review, reflect and continue

Success criteria

Pointer actions are deliberate and accurate.
Basic text can be entered, corrected and saved.
The learner can move between two open windows.

Reflection prompt

What can you now do independently, and which step would you like to practise once more?

Continue to Lesson 3