Computer Skills Online Testing
The test includes items of
1)Vocabulary, 2)Word Processing/Keyboarding/Desktop Publishing, 3)Database Management,
4)Spreadsheets, 5)Telecommunications, 6)Multimedia, 7)Societal Issues such as
Copyright and Computer Ethics, and General Questions about software and
hardware. Half of the test is multiple choice and the other half contains
activities for the student to complete.
Chaloner students will begin
testing during the weeks of October 27th and November 3rd
, 2008.
Windows Manager will check to see that you know how to
open and go to FILE-ADD WINDOW then copy and paste text between the two
windows. Make sure you know how to minimize and restore.
Minimize
(-) Restore (box shape) Close (X)
This is the NC Desk Editor (word processor). Note the
shortcut bar and what each represents.
Cut, copy, paste are first.
Font name –Verdana and size 12 are next. Size 12 is
usually the default value. Font defaults vary.
Bold, italics and underline shortcuts are shown.
Alignment buttons are left (default), Center, right,
and justify. Note that they draw a sketch.
Single spacing and double spacing are on the end.
With the Database, be sure to note how to Sort
Ascending (1-9) and Sort Descending(9-1). When using the filter to search, name
the Field comparison terms and type the word or number to search for.
To sort by AGE from oldest to youngest, click on AGE
field then click the shortcut 9-1arrow.
This is sorting in descending order.
To alphabetize, click on Name field and click
1-9arrow, sorting in ascending order. Note that this will sort by first name
because that is the way the entries are typed.
This is a picture of the NC desk spreadsheet.
In this example is a budget.
Note the labels (words) and values(numbers).
To get the total of my expenses click on the Greek E
(Σ)
The Greek E (Σ)automatically adds the numbers in
a column or row. Other functions {f(x)} that are built in formulas are Average (avg)
and Maximum, Minumum values.
Each time you use a function you must give the range
(group of cells to use in formula)
For our example the formula is
=sum(b2:b8)
“=” tells the computer this is a formula
“sum” built in function to add
“(b2:b8)” indicates to begin adding numbers in cell b2
and continue through b8 – your Range
To create a chart: click the column and the chart type
To sort a part
of your spreadsheet, click the column and then click sorting shortcuts 1-9 or
9-1
Copyright
What is copyright? Copyright Laws protect “intellectual property” or products of someone’s creative genius. It may be a published report, website, play, song, piece of art, computer graphic, software package, HTML code, video, dance, or anything else that is in tangible form or material form. In other words, if you can read it, touch it, or see it, then it can be protected by copyright laws.
What do Copyright Laws say? Copyright grants the creator the exclusive rights to duplicate, reproduce it and display the work. Exclusive means that only the person who creates it may do this, not just anyone who has access to it and grabs it. You will note that on copyrighted materials you will see this symbol on some but not all copyrighted works:
Copyright © 2003 John Smith.
How does this concern me? According to Copyright Laws you do NOT have permission to copy anything from the Internet, encyclopedias, other reference materials. The exception to these laws are works that are in the PUBLIC DOMAIN meaning that the public is allowed to use, reproduce and distribute this software, published works or whatever it is that is copyrighted. (Shareware is software that is available for a small fee or for a period of time – not completely free).
How do we accomplish our assigned work? Students and teachers fall into a different category because we use information for education rather than for profit. Teachers and students are able to use some information that is copyrighted by the Fair Use Act.
The Fair Use Act says that if you are using the copyrighted information for educational purposes you may use a portion of it and reproduce it but you should give credit (cite your sources) for the reference material each time. According to Fair Use Act, you may use portions of a person’s work. Ex: you may use 10% but not more than 30 seconds of a song or video, 5 photos from an artist or 250 words from a poem. Even so, you still must cite your source to show where you got the materials and who owns them.
Why protect “intellectual property” with Copyright or Fair Use Act? In school, you are aware that copying someone else’s work is dishonest and unethical. If you get caught you will receive some punishment. In the real world, if you make a living from what you think of or create, you need to have some protection that others will not come and duplicate your work leaving you without a way to profit from it. If you create an invention that is amazing, you would patent the invention so that you could sell it for a profit. The same is true for ideas or the result of your good ideas and creative thoughts.
Ethics As stated earlier in this document, the owner of the copyright is the only person that has the rights to reproduce, distribute and display their work. With the advent of the Internet, many people are capable of copying the graphics, research, web work, etc. Just because you are able to copy it, doesn’t mean that you should do so without the proper respect and ethical behavior towards someone else’s work and products. Unethical behavior on the part of computer users has a limiting effect for us all. It is unethical and dishonest to copy someone else’s work no matter what unless you state (cite) the fact giving them the ownership.
References for this information came from:
http://www.whatiscopyright.org/
http://www.mediafestival.org/copyrightchart.html
HELPFUL WEB LINKS
If you have Internet access at home you may go to the
address below for this review online:
To find this page online:
http://local.rrgsd.org/cm/phillips/reviewonline/
OR
How To
Videos and Skill Practices from Gaston County Schools http://www.gaston.k12.nc.us/departments/techinstr/CST/index.htm
Go to
Google/ type Catawba County Schools (http://www.catawba.k12.nc.us/pages/sites/edwebsites/computerskills/
Using
the second link that appears, click on
ONLINE ACTIVITIES
OR
Use the NC Desk Homepage- download NC
Desk and take the online Test Simulation as review
Computer Skills Practice Hotlist of Links
http://www.kn.pacbell.com/wired/fil/pages/listcomputernl.html
West Millbrook Preparing for the Test
Page - http://www.wmms.net/walters/student/skillstest.htm
Great Practice for the Multiple Choice
Questions from Liberty Middle via Quia Questions
http://www.quia.com/pages/comppracticetests.html
Vocabulary Terms
Hardware- computer
equipment, physical parts of computer system
Input devices-
put information into the computer
Keyboard, disk, CD, scanner, DVD, jump drive
Memory devices-store
information/data
Internal
memory is RAM (temporary-your files are stored) or ROM (permanent- program info
is stored) Extra memory is provided by the Hard Drive and storage devices such as
disks, CDs, etc.
Processing devices- for laptops and microcomputers this is called the CPU
CPU-central
processing unit is 1 microprocessor chip which performs all the math, logic,
and controls all other parts of the computer. It is sometimes called the
“brain” of the computer system. The speed of the processing device is measured
in megahertz
Output
devices- give out processed info-
monitor is most used output
Printer
is an output device for a hard copy of your info. Other output devices are
disks, CDs, DVDs, jump drive or any other device that will hold the output
information. (note that some of these are input and output devices)
Sizes of computers- largest to smallest:
supercomputers, mainframe, minicomputer, desktop (size we have in labs,
laptops, handheld
Peripheral
devices – any computer equipment you
add to your system to make it better but that is not necessary for basic
operation (scanner, webcam, speakers)
Software-programs
or instructions for the computer
Malware – some
type of BAD computer software – virus of other file destroying or annoying
program.
Management
software – Windows manages all files and the filing system within your
computer
Windows- know how to open more than 1 document and
minimize/restore/close plus copy from one to another.
Application software – programs for productivity such as Microsoft Office
Simulation software – programs that mimic a real life situation – (flying an airplane)
Virtual
Reality software – games or other
software that creates the illusion that you are really doing this task
Real Time- happening in the time you see it (not delayed)
Networks- remote computers tied together through a common
server which holds some applications and files for sharing
Wireless
Networks (WiFi)– router sends out
wireless signal that can be picked up by the computers and attachs them to the
network without being cabled to the network (especially helpful for laptops)
Firewall- protective software and/or hardware to keep the
network safe from intrusions for security/virus
Word Processing- used for letters, reports, work with text and some graphics
Word
Processing allows you to easily edit (change or correct) the document.
Desktop
Publishing, similar to word processing but more graphics, formatting.
Insert
cursor/ overstrike cursor – insert
cursor is the default and one most are used to- allows user to add in words in
the middle of a sentence – overstrike cursor types over words already written
and gobbles them up. To change the cursors (toggle) press the key marked
“Insert” above the Delete key
Backspace/Delete- backspace erases from back to front direction, Delete
erases from cursor forward
Format-
refers to the look or layout –
character formatting would include the font (shape of the letters), style
(bold, italics), size
page formatting (go to File-Page Setup) includes changing the margins
or alignment –Left (default-what it will be if you don’t change it) with left
edge straight and right edge ragged, Centered, Right, Justified (both sides
even), line spacing
line spacing- vertical distance between lines of text – can be
single, double-
WORDWRAP- built in feature which automatically moves words
which are too long to fit on the line of text down to the next line without the
typist having to press Enter.
Retrieve a
file-using File-Open to get a
previously saved file
Usual
process for word processing – key in
new text, save. Next day- retrieve, edit, resave, print.
Save and
Save As- both work the same the first
time you save a file. After saving the first time, File-Save keeps the filename
and saving pathway the same. File-Save As allows you to chose to change the
filename or drive it is saved on. Example: I save a document called Review on
my hard drive C. Next day I retrieve Review and add new information. If I use
File-Save the new info will be added and the filename and place will be the
same. If I need to change the name to Final Review I must use File-Save As. If
I want to keep the filename Review but I would like to change where it is kept
from the hard drive to a floppy disk, I must use File-Save As to accomplish
this.
Cut/ Copy/
Paste – using Edit-Cut makes text
disappear from the screen (held in memory on the clipboard) and then can be
pasted. This works well for moving text. When using Edit-Copy the computer
makes a duplicate of the information and holds that duplicate on the clipboard
(original is still on screen) until it is Pasted elsewhere.
Database- collection of related information, a list
Database
file- entire list Database
Record- info about 1 item or person
Database Field-category of
info about person or item
Databases
are especially helpful when needing to SORT or SEARCH the list.
Sort- putting the list into some arranged order
Search or
Filter – finding specific information
within the list
Entry is one typed piece of information in the database
If you put the list in alphabetical order – this is Sorting in ascending order.
If you put the list in order from some highest value
to lowest – this is sorting in
descending order.
Searching or
filters find specific information by
looking at a Field and looking for comparison information. If the field holds
text information the comparison words will be “is equal to”, “contains”,
“starts with” and then you type what you want it to look for. If the field is a
number field the comparison words will be “greater than”, “less than”, “equal
to or greater”, “less than or equal to”, or “equal to” and then you type the
comparison number.
Spreadsheets
– used for mathematical reports.
The spreadsheet will calculate the answer and if you change a value it will
automatically re-calculate the answer.
Label- words typed in the spreadsheet
Values- numbers typed into the spreadsheet
Formulas-
get the computer to do a calculation or operation on cells. These can be created by user with cell addresses and
numbers or can be built in functions like SUM, AVG with a range behind it to
show the computer which cells to operate on. =sum(b3:b5) tells the computer it is a formula with a
function SUM (add) the numbers in cells b3 through b5 and give the answer.
Function – Sum or Avg – built in formulas
Range – tells computer what cells to operate on with the
formula or function (see above example)
Bar Chart- used for comparing
Line Chart – comparing over time
Pie Chart- part of a whole
Telecommunication- includes email, Internet – any communication through
computers at a distance
Online- 1. are accessing the Internet OR 2. are connected to a piece of equipment
Offline- opposite of online – unable to connect to the Internet
OR either piece of equipment is not connected
Internet-computers connected globally
ISP- Internet Service Provider – some company you pay to
allow your computer to connect to their computer and for their computer to act
as your gateway onto the Internet
Modem- piece of equipment that connects the computer and
cable or phone( cable modems are different from phone modems) Speed of modem is
it’s baud rate
Browser- software that allows you to go onto the Internet and
keeps track of homepage, pathway you have traveled – therefore you can use your
Back button, bookmarks (favorites) – this software is free (freeware =public
domain software)
URL- universal resource locator – means web address
Download- when you get something from a site on the Internet and
save it to your hard drive
Upload- when you send something from your computer to a place
on the Internet
Hypertextmarkuplanguage- (html ) the source language or coding for web pages
Link,
hyperlink - a spot (could be text, could be a logo or
image) that you click and it carries you to another web address or URL
Search
Engine- web site that searches the
database of websites and returns to the user a list of links for related URLs
(yahoo, google) some are metasearch engines (search Search Engines – dogpile,
metasearch)
Email- communication sent from one computer to another a
distance away, must have online service to do
Be certain when taking the NC Computer test to click
the letter icon in the top left when finished with your email task. This
“sends” your email.
Instant
messaging – sending a message in real
time to someone on your buddy list
Chat rooms- users entire this bulletin board type space and
converse with each other through typed messages in real time
Social
Network pages – pages such as My
Space are considered social networks where people with something in common can
post messages and pages. The problem arises because this space is public then
people with criminal or unethical intentions may also view and join with false
name and age. Never endanger your safety by meeting someone from online or
giving private information through these websites.
Phishing- sending a false email to users usually trying to get
them to send personal information to a false link or place that is unprotected.
Computer
Ethics- using the computer for
good purposes
Copyright-protection of your intellectual property/ purchase 1
game= put it on 1 computer
If you use information from a source for research you
must cite your source. If you copy the information, it needs to be put in
“quotation marks” and also cite your source. If you do not cite your sources,
it is the same as taking someone’s work and claiming it as your own. NOT
Ethical!!!! Unethical!!
Multimedia
– Powerpoint presentations
If you create a powerpoint slideshow
and show slide 1, slide 2, slide 3, etc this is a linear show
If you create a powerpoint
slideshow and have a menu which allows the person to branch, this is non-linear
Storyboard- planning stage of
a multimedia (many ways to communicate) project when you plan slides
Clip art- small graphics
Animated gifs- clip art that
moves
Ann Phillips, 536 Hamilton Street, Roanoke Rapids, NC
27870 Phone 252-519-7146 phillipsa.co@rrgsd.org