How to use a mouse free online computer lesson for seniors and beginners.

This tutorial forms part of our basic computer training course and for those looking to learn about computers and qualify in the European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) the tutorial will cover elements 1.4 and 1.5 of the Equal Skills module and shows how to use a mouse, essential for improving computer skills.

Target Audience:

Complete computer beginner/novice

Introduction

Mice come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and usually have 2 or 3 buttons. Some have a small wheel instead of the third button. This lesson will teach you how to use a mouse and all buttons correctly.

The first thing you should do is place your mouse to the right or left of your keyboard and place a light grip on the mouse that is comfortable to you.

If you lift up your mouse and look underneath you will see either a small ball or a small red light. If you have the old fashioned ball type mouse I would recommend you purchase the new and much better optical type. However, either type will work and are used the same way.

You can either continue reading this computer course on this page or watch the accompanying video lesson below.

To enlarge the video left click on the small square icon in four pieces bottom right of video. Press the Esc button on your keyboard to return to normal view.
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Let’s get started with how to use a mouse

As you slide your mouse forward, backwards, or side to side across your desk you will see the little cursor on your screen move.

The left mouse button is for selecting objects and the right mouse button is for displaying the different options available to you.

Exercise 1:  Opening a Window

Move your mouse until the cursor is over the recycle bin on your desktop (Figure 1).

You will notice that the image of the recycle bin changes slightly. This is designed to give you some feedback and tell you that you can select this icon.

Making sure that you keep the cursor over the recycle bin, double click the left mouse button, i.e. press the left button twice rapidly. A window should now

open up on your desktop (see Figure 2).

If it hasn’t it is because you have either moved the cursor away from the recycle bin icon whilst clicking or you have not double clicked quickly enough. Keep trying – it will happen. Don’t worry if you find this part tricky as most people do at first and

there will be plenty of time to practice later. We will be covering windows in another free online computer course for seniors so don’t concern yourself with the window contents at this stage, this computer lesson for beginners is only looking at how to use a mouse.

Exercise 2: Drag and Drop

Move your mouse until the cursor is over the top middle section of the newly opened window. Press the left mouse button and keep the button pressed down whilst you move your

mouse. The window now appears as though it is stuck to the cursor and wherever you move the cursor the window will follow. This is called dragging and dropping. As soon as you let go of the left button the window is released from the cursor.

Try and drag the window to different areas of the screen by releasing the mouse button and re-connecting again.

Exercise 3: Closing a Window

Move your mouse until your cursor to the top right hand side of the newly opened window until it is over the small red square containing an x (Figure 3).

As your cursor hovers over the small red square you will notice that it changes colour slightly. Click once using your left mouse button to close this window.

Exercise 4: Right Clicking

Move your mouse cursor until it is over the recycle bin and press your right mouse button. You will see a new sub-menu appear with a list of options (Figure 4)

The list of options you see on your screen may be slightly different from the ones in figure 4. The ‘Open’ and ‘Explore’ options do the same thing – they allow you to see the contents of the recycle bin.

Exercise 5: Practice

Practice double clicking with the left button on the remaining icons on your desktop and right clicking to see the available options.

Additional Exercise 6: Solitaire

All windows computers come with a computerised version of the solitaire card game. This is ideal for getting used to using the mouse. Beware though as it can be addictive!

To start the solitaire game, left click on the start menu button (Figure 5), found at the bottom left of your screen.

You will now see the start menu (Figure 6: Start Menu)

If you do not see an icon for Solitaire, then type the word: “Solitaire” in the search box at the bottom of the start menu and the icon will appear in the start menu. Click the Solitaire icon to start the program.

Now experiment using the techniques that this tutorial has taught you and try to play the game.

Summary

You should now be able to use your mouse effectively. Keep playing solitaire and you will very quickly become comfortable with the mouse.

Where next

Try the following online computer courses for seniors:

• Opening Windows – opening, closing, minimizing and maximizing those windows
• Starting Microsoft Word computer lesson for seniors and the elderly
• Opening Windows Lesson for Seniors and Beginners

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