Computer Basics
Email, video calls, online forms and job applications — and staying safe online.
Computer Basics Course
Welcome to the Computer Basics Course. This course has 12 lessons. Each lesson teaches one skill you need in daily life. You do not need experience. Start with Lesson 1 and go at your own speed.
Lesson 1: Using a Mouse and Keyboard
A mouse is the small tool you move with your hand. Moving the mouse moves a small arrow on the screen. This arrow is called the pointer. To choose something, move the pointer over it and press the left button once. This is called a "click."
Sometimes you must press the left button two times quickly. This is called a "double-click." You double-click to open a folder or start a program. Press the right button one time to see a small menu with more choices.
The keyboard is for typing words and numbers. Press each key one time. The space bar is the long key at the bottom. It puts a space between words. The backspace key deletes the letter you typed last. The Enter key moves you to a new line or starts an action.
Practice slowly. It is normal to feel clumsy at first. Speed comes with time.
Key tips
- Rest your hand lightly on the mouse. Do not press hard.
- Move the mouse slowly. Small moves are enough.
- Use your right hand for the mouse and both hands for the keyboard.
- To type a capital letter, hold the Shift key and press the letter.
- If you make a mistake, use backspace. Everyone makes mistakes.
Practice exercises
- Move the pointer to each corner of the screen and back.
- Click one time on a folder icon, then double-click to open it.
- Type your full name, then delete it with backspace and type it again.
Lesson 2: Email with Gmail
Email is a message you send over the internet. Gmail is a free email service from Google. To use it, you need a Gmail account. Ask a family member or go to the library if you need help making one.
To send an email, open Gmail and click "Compose." Type the person's email address in the "To" box. Type a short title in the "Subject" box. Type your message in the big box. Click "Send" when you are ready.
Incoming emails appear in your Inbox. Click an email to read it. Click "Reply" to answer the person. Click "Forward" to send the email to a different person.
Never open email attachments from people you do not know. Attachments are files inside an email. They can contain viruses that harm your computer.
Key tips
- Write a short subject so the person knows what the email is about.
- Check your spelling before you click Send.
- Do not send your password or Social Security number by email.
- Empty your Spam folder sometimes to delete junk mail.
- Sign out of Gmail when you use a public or shared computer.
Practice exercises
- Send an email to a family member with a subject and a short message.
- Reply to an email you received and send the reply.
- Find one email in your Inbox and move it to the Trash folder.
Lesson 3: Video Calls (Zoom and WhatsApp)
A video call lets you see and hear a person far away. Zoom is a free app for video calls on a computer or phone. WhatsApp is a free app for video calls on a phone. Both apps need the internet.
To join a Zoom call, click the link the person sent you. The link opens the Zoom app. Click "Join with Video" so they can see you. Click "Join with Audio" so they can hear you. Find a quiet place with good light before the call.
For WhatsApp video calls, open the app and choose the person's name. Tap the video camera icon at the top. Wait for them to answer. WhatsApp video calls are free over Wi-Fi.
During any video call, speak clearly and look at the camera. Mute your microphone when you are not speaking to stop background noise.
Key tips
- Test your camera and microphone before an important call.
- Sit facing a light or a window so people can see your face.
- Charge your phone or computer before a long call.
- Use Wi-Fi, not mobile data, to avoid using up your data plan.
- Close other apps to make the call run better.
Practice exercises
- Open Zoom and join a test meeting to check your camera and microphone.
- Make a short WhatsApp video call to a friend.
- Practice muting and unmuting your microphone during a call.
Lesson 4: Applying for Jobs Online
Many companies post jobs on the internet. You can read the job description and apply from your computer or phone. A job posting tells you the work, the pay, and how to apply.
To apply, you usually make an account on the company's website. Then you fill in a form with your name, address, phone number, and work history. You may need to upload a resume. A resume is a short document about your skills and past jobs.
After you apply, the company may send you an email or call you. Check your email every day after applying. Answer quickly if they ask for an interview. An interview is a meeting where they ask you questions about the job.
Never pay money to apply for a job. Real employers do not ask for money from job seekers. Never give your bank password to an employer.
Key tips
- Read the job description carefully before you apply.
- Use the same email address for all your applications.
- Keep your resume short: one page is best.
- Write down where and when you applied so you can follow up.
- Check your email and phone messages daily after applying.
Practice exercises
- Find one job posting online and read the full description.
- Write down the name, address, and phone number you would use on an application form.
- Make a list of your skills and past jobs to use for a resume.
Lesson 5: Online Banking Safety
Online banking lets you check your money on the internet. You can see your balance, pay bills, and move money between accounts. Most banks have a website and a free phone app.
To start, open your bank's official website or app. Type your username and password yourself. Never click a link in an email to reach your bank. Type the bank's address in the browser instead. This stops thieves from tricking you.
When you finish, always log out. Logging out means you close your account session. Do not do online banking on public Wi-Fi, like at a coffee shop. Other people on public Wi-Fi can see what you type.
Check your account often. If you see a payment you did not make, call your bank right away. The phone number is on the back of your bank card.
Key tips
- Use a strong password that no one can guess, with letters and numbers.
- Never share your password or PIN with anyone, even family friends.
- Log out every time you finish banking.
- Use your bank's real app, downloaded from the official app store.
- Call your bank directly if a message about your account looks strange.
Practice exercises
- Open your bank's app and find your current balance.
- Practice logging out and logging back in.
- Find the phone number on the back of your bank card and save it in your phone.
Lesson 6: Avoiding Scams and Fraud
A scam is a trick that steals your money or information. Fraud is a crime where someone lies to take what is yours. Scams happen by phone, email, text message, and on social media.
Common scams ask you to pay with gift cards or send money fast. They may say you owe the IRS or that a family member is in trouble. Real government offices do not ask for gift cards. Real offices do not threaten you on the phone.
If a message scares you or rushes you, stop. Do not click links. Do not send money. Call the real company or office using a phone number you know is real. Take your time. Real business can wait.
Tell a trusted person if you are unsure. Friends, family, or a community center can help you check if a message is real.
Key tips
- Never pay with gift cards, wire transfers, or cash to someone who called you.
- Do not give your Social Security number to callers or text senders.
- Look for bad spelling and strange email addresses — these are warning signs.
- Hang up on robocalls and do not press any numbers.
- If you sent money to a scammer, call your bank and the police right away.
Practice exercises
- List three warning signs of a scam from memory.
- Show a family member how to block an unknown number on a phone.
- Practice what you would say if a scammer called you: "I will check this myself. Goodbye."
Lesson 7: Using Google Search
Google Search finds information on the internet. Open a browser and type your question in the search box. Press Enter. Google shows a list of websites that may have the answer.
Use short, clear words. Instead of "I want to know what time the bus goes downtown," type "Syracuse bus schedule." Short searches give better results. Put quotes around an exact phrase to find those exact words, like "driver license test".
Not every result is true. Look at who wrote the website. Government websites and well-known news sources are usually trustworthy. If something sounds strange, check a second website to be sure.
Click only one result at a time. Use the back button to return to the results list. Practice makes you faster.
Key tips
- Use 3 to 5 key words instead of long sentences.
- Check that the website is trustworthy before you believe the answer.
- Look at the date — old information may be wrong now.
- Add your city name to find local answers, like "ESL classes Syracuse."
- Ignore ads at the top of the results unless you want to shop.
Practice exercises
- Search for the hours of your local library and write them down.
- Search for the weather in your city this week.
- Search for one news story and compare two different websites reporting it.
Lesson 8: File Management (Folders, Saving, USB Drives)
A file is one document, photo, or video on your computer. A folder is a place where you keep files together. Folders are like drawers in a cabinet. You can name each folder.
When you finish working on a document, save it. Saving means you store it on the computer so it is not lost. Click "File" then "Save." Choose a folder and give the file a clear name, like "resume-2026." Press "Save" often while you work.
A USB drive is a small device that plugs into the computer. It carries files from one computer to another. Plug it in, copy your files to it, then remove it safely. To remove it safely, click the USB icon and choose "Eject." Eject means the computer is ready for you to pull it out.
Keep copies of important files. Important files are things like your resume, immigration documents, and school papers. Save copies on a USB drive or in a second folder.
Key tips
- Name files clearly so you can find them later.
- Make a folder for each topic: Work, School, Family, Documents.
- Save your work every 10 minutes so you do not lose it.
- Always eject a USB drive before you pull it out.
- Keep a second copy of important files in another place.
Practice exercises
- Create a folder named "My Practice" and move three files into it.
- Save a document with a clear name and find it again.
- Copy a file to a USB drive, eject the drive, and plug it back in.
Lesson 9: Printing at Home and at the Library
Printing makes a paper copy of a document on your screen. At home you need a printer connected to your computer or Wi-Fi. The printer also needs paper and ink. Check both before you print.
To print, open your document and click "File" then "Print." A small window opens. Choose your printer. Choose how many copies you want. Click "Print." Wait for the pages to come out.
Many public libraries have printers you can use for a small fee. Bring your document on a USB drive or open it on a library computer. Ask a librarian for help. Librarians help people print every day and are happy to show you.
Before you print, check that the pages look right on the screen. This saves paper and money. This is called "Print Preview."
Key tips
- Use Print Preview to check your pages before printing.
- Print in black and white to save ink money.
- Bring your own paper and coins or a card to the library printer.
- Never leave personal papers in a public printer tray.
- Ask a librarian for help — printing is a common question.
Practice exercises
- Open a document and find the Print Preview button.
- Print one page and check that it looks correct.
- Visit your library and ask a librarian how their printing works.
Lesson 10: Smartphone Basics (Apps, Wi-Fi, Storage)
A smartphone is a small computer you carry in your pocket. You open programs by tapping their picture on the screen. These programs are called apps. The small pictures are called icons.
To get a new app, open the app store on your phone. Search for the app's name. Tap "Install" or "Get." Only install apps you need and trust. Too many apps slow down your phone.
Wi-Fi connects your phone to the internet without using your mobile data plan. To join Wi-Fi, open Settings and tap "Wi-Fi." Choose a network and type the password if it asks. Your phone remembers the network next time.
Storage is the space on your phone for apps, photos, and files. When storage is full, your phone gets slow. Delete apps you do not use and move old photos to a safe place to free space.
Key tips
- Use Wi-Fi at home or the library to save your mobile data.
- Keep your phone software updated for safety.
- Delete apps you never use to free storage.
- Turn off Wi-Fi and Bluetooth when you do not need them to save battery.
- Lock your phone with a PIN or fingerprint so others cannot open it.
Practice exercises
- Find the Settings app and check how much storage is free.
- Connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network.
- Delete one app you do not use.
Lesson 11: Social Media Safety
Social media is websites and apps where people share photos, news, and messages. Examples are Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. They are fun, but you must protect your information.
Do not post your home address, phone number, or work schedule. Strangers can see what you post. Check your privacy settings. Privacy settings control who can see your posts. Set them to "friends only" or "private."
Do not accept friend requests from people you do not know. Fake accounts can steal your photos or trick you. If someone sends you a strange message, do not answer. Block the account and tell someone you trust.
Think before you post. Once a photo or message is online, it is hard to remove. Employers and schools may see it later.
Key tips
- Set your profile to private so only friends see your posts.
- Never post your address, phone number, or children's school name.
- Do not accept friend requests from strangers.
- Block and report accounts that send strange or scary messages.
- Log out of social media on shared computers and phones.
Practice exercises
- Open your privacy settings on one social media app and set them to private.
- Remove one old post that shows personal information.
- Show a family member how to block a strange account.
Lesson 12: Online Shopping Safety
Online shopping means buying things on the internet. Stores like Amazon and Walmart have websites where you can order and pay with a card. Your order is delivered to your home.
Shop only on websites you know and trust. Look for a small lock symbol in the browser's address bar. The lock means the website protects your card information. Never type your card number on a website without the lock symbol.
Compare prices before you buy. Read a few customer reviews. Reviews are comments from people who bought the item. Bad reviews can warn you about poor quality or a dishonest seller.
Keep your receipts. A receipt is proof of what you bought and paid. Check your bank statement after shopping online. If you see a charge you did not make, call your bank.
Key tips
- Only shop on websites with the lock symbol in the address bar.
- Use a credit card when you can — it has stronger fraud protection.
- Read customer reviews before you buy something expensive.
- Never buy from links in random text messages or emails.
- Save your order confirmation emails as receipts.
Practice exercises
- Find a product online and read five customer reviews.
- Compare the price of the same item on two different websites.
- Check your last online order's confirmation email and save it in a folder.
🎥 Video Lessons
Computer Basics
What Is a Computer? (GCFGlobal / LearnFree — free lessons for beginners).
Finding Files on Your Computer — Windows Basics (GCFGlobal).
Find more: On YouTube, search for "GCFGlobal computer basics" — their free course covers mouse, keyboard, email, internet safety, and more.
Explore the other tracks
Thirteen free tracks for every stage of the journey.