ICT Learning Resources

This learning resource list is meant to be a guide only and is by no means a complete list. The ICT Skills Self Assessment is now available.

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," (4th 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
  Beford Public Library Basic Computer Concepts
• Basic concepts and functions of an operating system
  How PCs Work
  Mac 101 - The Grand Tour
• Start up, log on, and shut down a computer system properly
  Computer Basics - Hands On!: Intro
• 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
  Mac Troubleshooting

Basic Computer Tasks

• Use a mouse pointing device and keyboard
  BBC Absolute Beginners' Guide to using your computer
  BBC Computer Tutor
  Basic Computer Skills by Connecticut Distance Learning Consortium
  Mac 101: Mac Essentials
• Minimize, maximize and move windows
  Windows Basics
  Minimize, Maximize, and Close Buttons
  Moving and Resizing Windows for Mac OS X and Windows XP
• 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
  Determining available hard drive space
• Backup files
  Mac 101 Miracle Maintenance
  Backup Utility in Windows XP
  Backup Utility in Windows Vista
• Download and install software on a hard drive
  How to install a software program
  Downloading and installing software for Windows
  Mac Software Installation Quick Assist

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 and 2007: "Office 2003 all in one desk reference for dummies" by Peter Weverka and "How to do everything with Microsoft Office 2003" by Laurie Ann Ulrich, are two examples.

• Word processing (examples: Word, Word Perfect, AppleWorks)
  Microsoft Office Online: Word 2007 Courses
  In Pictures
  Rutgers Writing Program: Word 2003 introduction
  Rutgers Writing Program: Wordperfect
  Apple Works Basics
• Presentation (examples: PowerPoint, Keynote)
  Microsoft Office Online: PowerPoint 2007 Courses
  PowerPoint Tutorial from Univ. of Pennsylvania
  Mac: Creating Presentations with Keynote
• Spreadsheet (example: Excel)
  Microsoft Office Online: Excel 2007 Courses
• 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
• Create various types of documents and save them in a desired location:
  Create and save files
  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
  Vista Files
  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
  Help reading, copying and pasting, and printing PDF documents
• Name, rename, copy and delete files:
  Win XP: copy/delete/rename files/folders
  Windows Vista: Files and Folders
  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. In addition, there is a wealth of information about setting up your UTK-Tmail account. There are even several Show Me files on Tmail!

• 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
• 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.

• Set up an Internet connection and connect to the Internet
  BBC Webwise: the net
  Microsoft: Set up a wired network
  Microsoft: Set up a wireless 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.

• 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: Copying files to a USB drive or external hard drive