Terminology

 Arrow keys - Four keys for moving the cursor or insertion point right, left, up or
down.  When combined with the Shift, Function, Control, or At keys, the arrow
keys can have different meanings.
 Backspace key - The key located on the top number row of the computer which
allows you to go back one space at a time.
 Caps lock - A key on the keyboard which allows you to type capital letters.
 CD-Rom - An optical storage device.  It stores files and lets you move them from
computer to computer.  It looks like a shiny, flat, round disk.
 Copy - Makes the copy of a selection.  The shortcut keys for Copy are Control
and C(press both at the same time).  This command will leave the original text in
place.
 CPU/Computer - Central Processing Unit.  This is the most important part of the
computer.  It is the brains of the computer.
 Cursor - The blinking line on the monitor or screen where the character will
appear.
 Cut - The cut command removes the selection from its current location.  The
shortcut keys for cut are Control and X (press both at the same time.)
 Data - Words, numbers, sounds or pictures you enter into the computer as input.
 Delete key - This key when pressed will erase the information that is before the
cursor.
 Desktop - The are you see on the monitor screen which contains icons for
Programs.
 Double arrow pointer - Pointer icon which indicates you can resize a text box.
 Graphic or other items.
 Edit - Make changes in a file.
 Enter - A key that moves the cursor (or insertion point) to the beginning of the
next line.
 Escape key - The key on the function bar row of the keyboard which allows you
to cancel the current operation.
 Exit - To close a program or shutdown the computer.
 File - The term you give to information stored on a computer.
 Floppy Disk - A storage media that you can store files on.  It allows you to move
the information from computer to computer.
 Font - The design you give letters and numbers on the computer.  There are
many different fonts on a computer.
 Format - Change the way text appears on the screen and in print.
 Graphics - The term used to describe images or pictures on a computer.
 Hardware - Refers to objects that you can actually touch, like disks, disk drives,
display screens, keyboards, printers, boards and chips.
 Home row - The row of keys on the keyboard you place your fingers when you
begin to type.
 Icon - Little pictures on the desktop which when clicked on will take you to a
program stored on the computer.

 Input - Information entered into a computer.
 Keyboard - Input device you use to type letters, numbers and symbols into the
computer.
 Log in - Start a session on the computer using Ctrl + Alt + Del.  Students type in
their student username and password.
 Log off - End your session on the computer.  Students log off with Ctrl + Alt +
Del.
 Menu bar - The toolbar which contains the list of commands for a program.
 Monitor - The display screen where information is shown.
 Mouse - A pointing device you use to input data.
 Mouse Pad - The pad you put under the mouse.
 Move tool pointer - Pointer icon which indicates you can move items in a
document.
 My Documents - An area of the computer on the “C” drive you can store files in.
 Num lock - A key on the keyboard which allows you to type numbers using the
number pad on the right side of the keyboard.
 Numeric keypad - The number pad located on the right side of the keyboard.
 Output - Anything that comes out of a computer.
 Page setup properties - Controls for setting up how you want a printed page to
look.  This is located under File on the toolbar.
 Paste - The paste command places the cut or copied selection in a new location.
 The shortcut keys for past are Control and V (press both at the same time).
 Pointer - A small arrow or other symbol on the display screen that moves as you
move the mouse.  You can select commands and options by positioning the tip of
the arrow over the desired choice and clicking a mouse button.
 Print properties - The controls for the print’s particular features.  A color printer
will have a way to choose color or black and white only.  There may be a choice
for photos.
 Printer - A device that prints text or illustrations on paper.
 Right click - Press and release the right mouse button.  It’s designed to show a
context menu (a list of options appropriate for the selected object.)
 Save - The command which saves the file and the changes you make to the hard
drive or other selected storage devices.
 Save as - The command which allows you to give the file you are working on a
name and save it to the ‘H” drive.
 Scroll bar - The bar that has arrows on either end with a small box in between
those arrows.  Click on the small box and while holding down your left mouse
button, drag the box towards the bottom of the screen to see additionals areas of
the screen.  You can drag the box on the scroll bar up or down at any time.  You
click on the up and down arrows on the top or bottom of the scroll bar; this moves
the scroll box up or down one line at a time.
 Shift key - This is the key that will make a letter capital or small.  There is a shift
key on the right side and the left side of the keyboard.
 Sizing handles - Icon that appears on a textbox, or graphic when you click on it.
 If you drag on the corner icon it will resize proportionally.  If you drag on the
middle icon it will resize either the width or height.

 Software program - Computer instructions or data.  Anything that can be stored
electronically is software.
 Spacebar - The long bar at the bottom of the keyboard.
 Speakers - Output devices which allow you to hear sounds from the computer.
 Spell check - A part of the computer program for Microsoft Office products.  The
program checks for misspelled words in a document.
 Start button - A small outlined area in the lower left hand part of the display
screen that you can click to select an option or command.
 Toolbar - Rows of buttons with pictures on them to let you know the commands
the program will perform if you click on the button.
 Word processing - A computer program which allow a person to type information
and print.
 Word wrap - When the insertion point moves down to the next line of text
because there is no more room on the current line.