This learning resource list is meant to be a guide only and is by no means a complete list. The ICT Skills Self Assessment will be available to incoming SIS students July 1 - 31, 2011.
- Basic Knowledge of Computers
- Basic Computer Tasks
- Using different types of productivity software
- Using electronic forms of communication
- Internet Skills
- Moving Files
Basic Knowledge of Computers
There are many books on basic computing at your local library or bookstore. An example is "Absolute Beginner's Guide to Computer Basics," (5th Edition) (Paperback) by Michael Miller.
You may find these electronic resources helpful:
- Basic computer hardware components and terminology
BBC Absolute Beginner's Guide
BBC Jargonbuster
Computer Basics - Basic concepts and functions of an operating system
How PCs Work
Mac 101 - The Grand Tour
Windows 7 How-to Videos
Windows 7 Basics - Start up, log on, and shut down a computer system properly
Computer Basics - Hands On!: Intro
Turn off a computer: frequently asked questions - Manage the file structure of a computer
Understanding the File Structure of Your Computer
Mac 101: Applications, Files, and Folders - Check for and install operating system updates
Microsoft - What are operating system updates?
Mac OS X: Updating your software - Use Help and know how to troubleshoot routine problems
Basic Computer Troubleshooting
Basic Computer Troubleshooting Tips
Mac Troubleshooting
Mac 101 Miracle Maintenance
Basic Computer Tasks
- Use a mouse pointing device and keyboard
BBC Absolute Beginners' Guide to using your computer
BBC WebWise Computer Basices
Basic Computer Skills by Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium
Mac 101: Mac Essentials - Minimize, maximize and move windows
Windows Basics
Minimize, Maximize, and Close Buttons
Windows 7 - Minimize all open windows
Mac - How to minimize a window - Identify common types of file extensions
Common File Types
Mac Common Internet File Formats - Check how much space is left on a drive or other device
Checking Hard Drive Space
Checking Hard Drive Space on Windows 7
Determining available hard drive space
Check Your Hard Disk on a Mac - Backup files
Backup Utility in Windows XP
Backup Utility in Windows Vista
Backup and Restore in Windows 7
MacOSX Backups
Time Machine on a Mac - Download and install software on a hard drive
How to install a software program
Install a program on Windows 7
Install a program on a Mac
Mac Software Installation Quick Assist
Install Downloaded Programs - Tucows
Using different types of productivity software
Students at UT can access OIT's Computer Based Training. There are several "Getting Started" courses on basic Word, PowerPoint, and Excel, among the many hundreds of courses offered. The website In Pictures offers tutorials of many software programs using easy to follow screen shots.
UTK offers Microsoft Office training classes through the Office of Information Technology. Many libraries and community colleges also offer computer training classes.
Most libraries have how-to books for using productivity software. There are several books at UT's Hodges Library on using Office 2003, 2007, and 2010: "Office 2003 all in one desk reference for dummies" by Peter Weverka and "Microsoft Office 2007 for Windows" by Steven A. Schwartz, and "Microsoft Office 2010 Plain and Simple" by Katherine Murray, are examples.
- Word processing (examples: Word, Word Perfect, AppleWorks)
Microsoft Office Online: Word 2010
Office 2011 for Mac
Getting started with Word 2011 for Mac -
Presentation (examples: PowerPoint, Keynote)
Microsoft Office Online: PowerPoint 2010
PowerPoint 2011 for Mac
Mac: Creating Presentations with Keynote -
Spreadsheet (example: Excel)
Microsoft Office Online: Excel 2010
Excel 2011 for Mac -
PDF reader (example: Adobe Reader)
What is PDF file format?
Help reading, copying and pasting, and printing PDF documents -
Compression software (examples: WinZip, Stuffit)
How to zip and unzip files
WinZip basic information - Unzip on a Mac
- Create various types of documents and save them in a desired location:
Create and save files
Save a file in Office 2007
Save a file in Office 2010
Tips for opening and saving files in Mac OS X applications - Retrieve an existing document from a saved location
How to locate and open a saved file
Windows 7 files and folders
Tips for opening and saving files in Mac OS X applications - Select, copy, and paste text in a document or desired location:
Copy and paste a file from one location to another
Mac OS X: How to copy and paste - Print a document:
Mac OS X: How to print
Microsoft: To print a document Windows XP
Microsoft: Printing in Windows Vista
Windows 7: Choosing print options
Help reading, copying and pasting, and printing PDF documents - Name, rename, copy and delete files:
Windows 7: rename files/folders
Windows 7: copy a file
Windows 7: copy and paste a file
Mac OS X: How to delete a file
Mac OS X: Using copy and paste to copy files and folders
Using electronic forms of communication
There are many OIT Computer Based Training Courses covering electronic communications. One course is titled Essentials of Electronic Communication. All incoming SIS students are provided with a Tmail email account, which can be migrated to a UTK-Volmail account - setting up your UTK-Volmail account.
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Compose, send, reply and forward e-mail messages
UT Outlook Web Access FAQ
Send mail "Show Me" file
Reply to mail "Show Me" file -
Add attachments to an e-mail message
Sending E-Mail Attachments
Email Attachment "Show Me" file -
Retrieve attachments from an e-mail message
Outlook 2003 E-mail FAQs
Outlook 2007 E-mail FAQs -
Organize e-mail folders
Microsoft: 7 ways to organize your e-mail
Email Folders "Show Me" file -
Familiarity with electronic discussion lists
E-mail discussion lists and electronic journals
L-Soft: About email lists
Internet Skills
There are several OIT Computer Based Training Courses about using the Internet. One course is titled Internet Fundamentals.
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Set up an Internet connection and connect to the Internet
BBC Webwise: the net
Microsoft: Set up a home network -
Working knowledge of the World Wide Web
Bedford Library: Internet and WWW concepts -
Use a browser effectively
Browsers: an Internet guide for newcomers to the WWW -
Use search engines and directories effectively to find information:
Search Engines
UC Berkeley: The Best Search Engines -
Download files and images from a Web page
How to Download Images
University of Pennsylvania: Downloading Images -
Effectively navigate the hyperlink structure of the Web
Understanding URLs
Moving Files
There are many books on the subject of SSH and STFP. "SSH, the secure shell: the definitive guide," by Daniel J. Barrett and Richard E. Silverman, is an example that is available at Hodges Library. The UT Office of Information and Technology provides a number of "Show Me" files on how to use SSH and SFTP.
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Purpose of Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP)
FAQ - Connecting via Secure Protocols (SSH, SFTP) to Unix
File Transfer "Show Me" Files -
Log in and connect to a distant server using a Secure Shell client (SSH)
SSH "Show Me" File -
Transfer files by uploading or downloading using SFTP and SSH
SSH Transferring files "Show Me" file -
View and change folder/document security settings
SSH Customization "Show Me" file -
Copy files from a hard disk to storage devices (example: USB drive) and visa versa
Boston College: Copy Files to a USB Drive or External Hard Drive
How to use a USB Drive
