Learning Zone ~ Getting started

AbilityNet - My Computer: My Way

An accessibility logo

It is quite simple to make your computer easier for you to use. AbilityNet provide detailed, but simple to follow guidance to help you adjust your computer settings to suit your needs.

The BBC in partnership with AbilityNet, have developed a similar site: My Web My Way, which focusses on making web sites easier to use.

ACE IT have prepared a checklist of the most common things that might help:
Are you sitting comfortably?

We also show you how to do some of them, such as swapping the mouse buttons if you are left-handed, & making the text larger if you have difficulty seeing:
How to adjust the computer to suit your needs

You can click on the links & look at these help sheets on the computer screen or print them out if you prefer. Please ask if you need help.

BBC Absolute Beginners' Guide to using your computer

This programme provides an introduction to the following topics:

BBC Absolute Beginners' Guide to using a computer
  1. The Mouse
  2. Parts of the Computer
  3. Posture
  4. Keyboard
  5. Scrolling
  6. Guide to using windows

You can get to the The Absolute Beginner's Guide either from the link above, or by moving your mouse pointer over the book, click the left mouse button once and the guide will open in a new window.

It is quite easy to follow & attractively presented, but with one disadvantage, there doesn't appear to be any way of accessing the separate lessons, it has to be followed from the beginning to end.

BBC's Computer Tutor

This programme provides an introduction to:

BBC's Computer Tutor logo
  1. Mouse Skills
  2. Keyboard Skills
  3. Screen Skills

Computer Tutor is designed for people who are new to using a keyboard, mouse & computer screen. It aims to make things fun, & is set in a theme park about TV game shows. As it is new, ACE IT are still at the stage of road testing it, perhaps you would like to tell us what you think of it?

How to tame the Mouse: Games & Exercises

Using a mouse can feel very strange at first, and may take quite a bit of practice. You can find links on this page to simple mouse exercises which will give you practice at using the mouse.

You can also use the games that are installed on most computers. Follow the Start buttontrail from the Start button in the bottom left corner of your computer screen:

Start >> Programs >> Games >> Solitaire

Or try a different game if you would rather. The more that you practice using the mouse, the easier it will become!

Once you are beginning to feel a bit more confident, why not try out your mouse skills by becoming an artist with Mr Picassohead, or try out an online jigsaw puzzle! (you may choose to ignore the advertising on this site)
thumbnail image of tracker ball

If you have difficulty using the mouse because your hands are shakey, or for any other reason, it might be that you would find a a tracker ball easier, so please do ask your tutor about this option, as we have different types of tracker ball at ACE IT that you can try out. Click once on the picture to the right to see 2 of the tracker balls we use...


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