Welcome to English for Special Uses, Basic Computer Skills – Level 1, at Mt. Sac College, with Instructor Sersea, aka Maestro Sersea.

LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES FOR WEEK 1

1. Typing.com Account Set-Up

First, take a typing test. Show your teacher your results.

Second, take the typing test again. Did you do better? Show your teacher your results.

Third, register for a free typing account. Make sure you write down your username and your password in your notebook.

2. Lesson 1: Exploring the Parts of a Computer: A Guide

Directions: Listen to your teacher and read the following.

Exploring the Parts of a Computer: A Guide

Introduction
Welcome to the exciting world of computers! Just like your body has different parts that work together, a computer has various components that help it function. Let’s learn about these important parts!

The Main Parts of a Computer

Monitor

• Like a TV screen for your computer
• Shows pictures, text, and videos
• Helps you see what you’re doing on the computer
• Can be flat-screen (LCD) or touchscreen

CPU (Central Processing Unit)

• The “brain” of the computer
• Makes all the important decisions
• Processes information and instructions
• Located inside the computer case

Keyboard

• Used to type letters, numbers, and symbols
• Has special keys for different functions
• Helps you communicate with the computer
• Usually has around 100 keys

Mouse

• Helps you point and click on things
• Moves the cursor on the screen
• Has buttons for selecting and moving items
• Can be wireless or connected by a cord

Computer Case

• Protects the important parts inside
• Houses the CPU, memory, and other components
• Has fans to keep everything cool
• Comes in different sizes and shapes

Memory (RAM)

• Helps the computer remember things while working
• Like a desk where you keep things you’re using
• More memory means the computer can do more things at once
• Temporary storage that clears when computer turns off

Hard Drive

• Stores all your files and programs
• Like a big filing cabinet for your computer
• Keeps information even when computer is off
• Can hold lots of pictures, videos, and documents

Fun Facts About Computers

• The first computer was as big as a room!
• Modern phones have more power than the computers that sent astronauts to the moon
• Computers can do millions of calculations per second
• The word “computer” comes from the word “compute,” which means to calculate

Practice Activity
Label the parts of a computer in your notebook and write one function for each part. Think about how each part helps the computer work together as a team!

Remember

• Always handle computer parts with care
• Keep food and drinks away from computers
• Ask a teacher or tutor for help if something isn’t working
• Save your work frequently

3. Click on the link and read: Lesson 1 Article – https://vesl.us/blog/2025/02/24/exploring-the-parts-of-a-computer-a-guide/

4. Lesson 1 Activity

5. Lesson 2: Understanding Computer Memory: From Bytes to Terabytes

Directions: Read and listen to your teacher.

Understanding Computer Memory: From Bytes to Terabytes

Welcome to the exciting world of computer memory! Just like we measure length in inches and weight in pounds, we measure computer memory in special units. Let’s learn about these units from smallest to largest.

The Building Block: Byte

• A byte is like a tiny container that can hold one letter or number
• For example: The letter “A” takes up 1 byte of memory
• A short word like “cat” takes up 3 bytes

Kilobyte (KB)

• 1 kilobyte = 1,024 bytes
• Think of a kilobyte as about one page of text
• A simple email might use 2 kilobytes
• A short story might use 10 kilobytes

Megabyte (MB)

• 1 megabyte = 1,024 kilobytes
• A megabyte can hold:
  • About 500 pages of text
  • One picture from a digital camera
  • A short song

Gigabyte (GB)

• 1 gigabyte = 1,024 megabytes
• A gigabyte can store:
  • About 300 songs
  • 2 hours of movies
  • Thousands of pictures

Terabyte (TB)

• 1 terabyte = 1,024 gigabytes
• A terabyte can hold:
  • About 200,000 songs
  • 400 hours of movies
  • A million pictures

Fun Memory Facts:

1. Most phones today have between 64 and 256 gigabytes of storage
2. Video game consoles often have 500 gigabytes to 1 terabyte of storage
3. School computers usually have between 256 gigabytes and 1 terabyte

Practice Activity:
Match these items with how much memory they might use:

1. A text message
2. A digital photo
3. A movie
4. Your favorite video game

Remember: As technology grows, we can store more and more information in smaller spaces. Twenty years ago, 1 gigabyte was considered huge. Now it’s just a small part of what our devices can hold!

6. Click on the link and read: Lesson 2 Article – https://vesl.us/blog/2025/02/24/demystifying-computer-memory-bytes-to-terabytes/

7. Lesson 2 Activity

8. Lesson 3: Exploring Digital Media: A Guide to Internet Files

Directions: Read and listen to your teacher:

Exploring Digital Media: A Guide to Internet Files

What are Multimedia Files?
Multimedia files are digital files that can contain different types of content like pictures, sounds, videos, or a mix of these. Just like we have different types of books (picture books, chapter books, or magazines), we have different types of files on the internet.

Common Types of Multimedia Files

1. Image Files
   • Photos (.jpg or .jpeg)
   • Drawings and artwork (.png)
   • Simple pictures (.gif)
   • Fun animated pictures that move (.gif)
2. Audio Files
   • Music songs (.mp3)
   • Voice recordings (.wav)
   • Audiobooks (.m4a)
   • Podcast episodes (.mp3)
3. Video Files
   • Movies (.mp4)
   • YouTube videos (.mp4)
   • Short clips (.mov)
   • Cartoons (.avi)

Real-World Examples

• When you see a funny cat picture online – that’s an image file
• When you listen to your favorite song – that’s an audio file
• When you watch a video of how to make slime – that’s a video file

Fun Facts About File Sizes

• A single photo might be about 2 megabytes
• One song could be about 5 megabytes
• A short video might be 100 megabytes or more!

Safety Tips

• Be careful about which websites you visit
• Don’t open files from people you don’t know

Activities You Can Do With Multimedia Files

• Create a digital photo album
• Record your voice telling a story
• Make a simple video about your favorite hobby
• Listen to educational podcasts

Remember: The internet is full of amazing multimedia files that can help us learn and have fun, but always be safe and smart when exploring online!

9. Click on the link and read: Lesson 3: Article – https://vesl.us/blog/2025/02/24/discovering-digital-media-internet-file-guide/

10. Lesson 3: Activity

11. Typing Practice: Take the 3-Page-Typing Test

12. Week 1 Review Activity

1. What does the monitor do for a computer?
2. Why is the CPU compared to a brain?
3. How does a keyboard help you communicate with a computer?
4. What is the purpose of a mouse in using a computer?
5. Why is the computer case important for the computer’s components?
6. How does memory (RAM) help the computer while it is working?
7. What is the difference between a hard drive and memory (RAM) in a computer?
8. Can you name an example of what might be stored in a terabyte of memory?
9. What are some examples of multimedia files mentioned in the text?
10. Why is it important to be careful about which websites you visit?

Answer Key:

1. The monitor shows pictures, text, and videos, helping you see what you’re doing on the computer.
2. The CPU is compared to a brain because it makes important decisions and processes information.
3. A keyboard helps you type letters, numbers, and symbols to communicate with the computer.
4. A mouse helps you point and click on things, moving the cursor on the screen.
5. The computer case protects the important parts inside and houses the CPU, memory, and other components.
6. Memory (RAM) helps the computer remember things temporarily while it is working.
7. A hard drive stores files and programs, keeping information even when the computer is off, while memory (RAM) is temporary storage.
8. An example of what might be stored in a terabyte of memory is about 200,000 songs or 400 hours of movies.
9. Examples of multimedia files include image files (.jpg, .png), audio files (.mp3), and video files (.mp4).
10. It is important to be careful about which websites you visit to stay safe online and avoid harmful content.

13. Week 1 Quiz

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