Windows 7



Unit 1 – Windows Environment

Highlights from the Windows 7 Book

Introduction

The purpose of this lesson is to introduce you to the Windows environment. It is important to familiarize yourself with various Windows features so you know how to operate a computer. Instructional designers are always using computers and as such, it is beneficial to have knowledge regarding the Windows operating system, which communicates with hardware devices and software programs.

Objectives

At the end of this lesson you will be able to:

• Open applications using the start menu;

• Switch between applications using the taskbar;

• Move and resize windows; and,

• Find information using the help window.

Outline

Windows Desktop

Taskbar

Switching Files

Windows Management

Summary

BACKGROUND

EXERCISE

Windows 7 is an operating system. How would you define what an operating system does?

How does an operating system differ from Word, Photoshop, Audacity, etc.?

TARGET LESSON

Windows Desktop

Once you log onto your computer, the operating system displays a desktop.

[pic]

You are probably familiar with the recycle bin and the start menu.

But did you know you can add gadgets; pin icons to the

bottom of the task bar, and monitor the status of programs in the notification area?

Taskbar

The taskbar is the main section located at the bottom of the desktop. Starting from the lower left-hand side, you have the Start Menu; File Icon; Explorer Icon; Media Player Icon; and icons of any open programs.

Start Menu Highlights: Open the Start menu.

Notice there is a left and right pane. The left houses frequently used software.

If there is software you use infrequently but would like to see on the left side, you can pin a program. You can pin a program to the start menu and/or to the taskbar.

EXERCISE

Let’s pin the Sound Recorder found in the Accessories folder.

Locate the Sound Recorder under All Programs; Accessories.

Right-click the Sound Recorder. When the window below opens, click Pin to Start Menu.

Notice how the Sound Recorder is now on the left pane of the Start Menu.

Follow the same steps as before, but this time pin the sound recorder to the Taskbar.

Taskbar Icon Highlights: Let’s return to the bottom of the taskbar on the desktop.

If you pinned the sound recorder you now see the icon on the taskbar. Besides that icon you see the Libraries icon, which is the folder. Click that on to see what you get. You have the Explorer and media icons. Click those. Notice on the screen image above, I also have the Word icon because as I write this job aid, Word is open. Thus, whenever you have software programs open, the icons will appear on the taskbar.

If you move to the far right of the taskbar, you will see some other important icons. Notice the icon with the checkmark around a green circle. This icon is the eject device

for your USB thumb drive. It is wise to click this icon before removing the USB drive in order not to lose files.

Another icon that trainers often use is the sound icon.

If you left-click the sound icon you can adjust the volume on your computer.

If you right-click the sound icon, you can adjust more sound properties.

Switching Files

When you have multiple files open, you often need to switch between files and/or programs. For example, when you create your Dreamweaver web site, you will be switching between Dreamweaver and Photoshop. As such, let’s open both these software programs.

Two main ways to move between files or programs:

|Method |What Method Does |

|1. Press Alt and then the Tab key. |This method flips you through the different programs until you land on|

| |the program you wish to return to. |

|2. Point to the icon on the taskbar. |This method opens up thumbnail images of the files that are open in a |

| |program. For example, if you had two Word documents open, then you can|

| |see both the thumbnails to decide which file you want to access. |

Windows Management

As instructional designers, you often create job aids, training manuals, and the like in which you may need two windows open at the same time. You can do this by resizing a window and moving it. Let’s practice this task.

Resizing a Window

1. First minimize the window.

2. Drag the edges inward.

Moving a Window

Once you completed the resizing steps, now you can place your pointer on the top of the Window, click and drag the window to the location you want.

EXERCISE

Open up Word and create two new documents. On document one, type Document 1. On document two, type Document 2. Now resize and move each so that both appear open on your desktop.

OVERALL LESSON EXERCISE

1. Pin Adobe Dreamweaver and Photoshop to the taskbar at the bottom of the desktop.

2. Open up Dreamweaver and Photoshop. Switch between programs. Write down the

steps to achieve this task.

3. Open up the icon that ejects your USB. Leave this window open.

Summary

In this lesson you learned about the desktop and the taskbar. You pinned programs to the start menu and taskbar. You also learned about the icons housed on the taskbar including the eject icon for your USB and your sound icon. You successfully flipped through programs and changed the size of windows.

In the next lesson, you will learn about file management including the libraries that house files, creating folders, file extensions, as well as moving and deleting files.

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Once you completed the above tasks, show your instructor so she can check your work.

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