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My Mom wants to learn basics of computer...How do i start teaching her

25 posts · originally from https://geek.digit.in/community/threads/my-mom-wants-to-learn-basics-of-computer-how-do-i-start-teaching-her.106838/

Thom_Yorke
Thom_Yorke Original post #1
Jan 17, 2009 at 8:39 PM
Fello Hellasssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss

Recently my mother had decided that she will learn some computing which will enable her to do basics like Word Processing , Accesing Internet , Booking tickets ,playing songs and video etc... You know ...the basic stuff

Now her knowledge in computers is same as my knowledge in cooking which is Zero!!!

I don't wanna give her fish , but want to teach her fishing i.e. not blindly tell THIS IS MS WORD IN BLUE COLOR..CLICK HERE ..AND TYPE.... CLICK THE CROSS TO EXIT... rather I want to teach her basics like What is MS Word and how do she can use any simple s/w and not just word....you know...

But before I even reach there I have to teach her every basic thing like what is desktop , what is icon!! And considering she is not familiar with this stuff this will not be easy as it seems!!

So kindly suggest Thom Yorke , how should he start and what approach should he take!!
Rahim
Rahim #2
Jan 17, 2009 at 8:45 PM
First get the fear of computer out of her mind and then it becomes quite easy to learn everything.
There is always a fear that something will go wrong for beginners.
Thom_Yorke
Thom_Yorke #3
Jan 17, 2009 at 8:59 PM
^^YEah ......true
Liverpool_fan
Liverpool_fan #4
Jan 17, 2009 at 9:11 PM
II think you should make her sit on the PC and let her do the stuff with your instructions.
Begin with the Desktop, File Manager, utility apps, and then go with Web Browsing, E-Mail, Office, etc.
Also teach concept based. For instance she shouldn't think Internet == IE. Or Start Menu == Launching apps. (She should be able to figure out the orb in Vista, K-Menu in KDE, Applications menu in GNOME, etc.)
freshseasons
freshseasons #5
Jan 17, 2009 at 9:56 PM
Same problem:
Only with me is Papa who wants to learn
Which is the best operating system he should start with so its too easy for him? Mac or Windows ?
S
SunnyChahal #6
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:01 PM
^^
Mac OS X!
thewisecrab
thewisecrab #7
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:05 PM
Sunny1211993 said:
^^
Mac OS X!
Click to expand...
Mac will leave you spoilt :p
Anyway, @OP
Let your mom try to do things on her own, If she gets stuck at some point, only then guide her. (Ofcourse do tell her what is which is where :wink: )
C
Cool Joe #8
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:12 PM
freshseasons said:
Same problem:
Only with me is Papa who wants to learn
Which is the best operating system he should start with so its too easy for him? Mac or Windows ?
Click to expand...
Windows obviously.
Thom_Yorke
Thom_Yorke #9
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:19 PM
I'll just teach her windows!!!
In case of trouble at least she can refer local cyber cafe wala!!!

(Dun have mac myself)
garfield_56
garfield_56 #10
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:27 PM
I'll suggest u start with windows...coz that's wat your mom will come across at most other places(yo...including ur local cyber cafe wallah!!!)

And yes...try and compare the computer terms with her daily-life things....dat will help her relate better!!
afonofa
afonofa #11
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:41 PM
1. Explain how to properly turn on and turn off the comp. Newbies usually hit the power button when something goes wrong. A few times like that and you are looking at a new HDD.

2. Explain the concept of left click and right click.

3. To allow them to get a feel of the mouse, show them how/where to access paint. In paint explain the various tools, how to access the tools with the left click and the functions of cut, copy and paste with the right click menu. Then let them make their own designs or whatever they feel like.

4. Explain the concept of minimize, restore and maximize.

5. Explain how to close paint and how to save the image they created with a filename of their choice. Save the image into the My Documents folder for easy access.

6. Explain how to navigate to the My Documents folder and access/view the file they just saved with the...double click!!

7. Explain how to open their created file from the File menu inside paint

8. Explain how to create a New Folder in My Documents and how to rename the folder using the right click context menu.

9. Explain how to Browse into the New Folder and back out of it.

10. Explain dragging with the mouse and selecting multiple files

11. Explain drag and drop of a file/s into a folder.

12. Explain how to create a shortcut to the desktop to their created file

13. Explain how to delete a file and recover it from the recycle bin

By now they would be somewhat familiar with using the mouse and its basic functions. So you can proceed to any other software and explain the scroll button on the mouse. And also introduce them to the wondrous world of solitaire! :D
QwertyManiac
QwertyManiac #12
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:48 PM
Thom Yorke is good music :)

To teach a man to fish is to let him catch fish taking his own time, he gets better on his own, and that's the point :p
Liverpool_fan
Liverpool_fan #13
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:48 PM
freshseasons said:
Same problem:
Only with me is Papa who wants to learn
Which is the best operating system he should start with so its too easy for him? Mac or Windows ?
Click to expand...

I wish I could suggest Linux. It would be a pretty good suggestion IMO :)

Well fine. On other thoughts, I guess it would be Windows XP since most people use it.
S
SunnyChahal #14
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:50 PM
@all,the OS is Mac OS X and the computer is Mac. Don't mix them up.
Thom_Yorke
Thom_Yorke #15
Jan 17, 2009 at 10:55 PM
@afonofa : Wow!! Thanks....you actually though and typed those tips...wow!!! Hats off to you!!!
victor_rambo
victor_rambo #17
Jan 18, 2009 at 2:12 AM
Which state do you stay? In Maharashtra, there is a Govt. course called "MS-CIT". It does exactly what you want. Infact, you too can join her.

If you are in some other state, find equivalent of MS-CIT in your state.
K
karmanya #19
Jan 19, 2009 at 5:10 PM
I had the same problem a year ago. I just don't understand how people who are regularly very smart become total idiots infront of the computer. I mean if you want to send an email you click on the button labeled Send. Duh.
Give your mom some user friendly apps. Stick to windows/mac for now and teach her how to use specialised applications. Then after she has a grasp of the basics teach her to use general programs.
NucleusKore
NucleusKore #20
Jan 19, 2009 at 6:57 PM
If you want your parents to learn to use a computer teach them on Linux, Ubuntu or OpenSUSE. It's a lot simpler than windows for beginers (blank slates). The problem with those who are already familiar with windows is that they have to completely reorient themselves, hence the notion that Linux is difficult. For basic day to day use, it's the best operating system. Oh, and did I mention, you won't ever have to teach them what an antivirus is. The future is open.
Rahim
Rahim #21
Jan 19, 2009 at 7:09 PM
^Neville bro what makes you think the OP uses Linux?

If not ,then he and his mom will both be on the same boat!!
Liverpool_fan
Liverpool_fan #22
Jan 19, 2009 at 7:15 PM
rahimveron said:
^Neville bro what makes you think the OP uses Linux?

If not ,then he and his mom will both be on the same boat!!
Click to expand...

:p
But maybe that would indeed be a good way. After all a newbie can only understand a newbie very well.
shady_inc
shady_inc #23
Jan 19, 2009 at 10:11 PM
Anurag_panda said:
:p
But maybe that would indeed be a good way. After all a newbie can only understand a newbie very well.
Click to expand...
One newbie understands another...but none of them understand the OS.Sweet.!:p
A
Adam_waugh #24
Jan 20, 2009 at 11:52 AM
afonofa said:
1. Explain how to properly turn on and turn off the comp. Newbies usually hit the power button when something goes wrong. A few times like that and you are looking at a new HDD.

2. Explain the concept of left click and right click.

3. To allow them to get a feel of the mouse, show them how/where to access paint. In paint explain the various tools, how to access the tools with the left click and the functions of cut, copy and paste with the right click menu. Then let them make their own designs or whatever they feel like.

4. Explain the concept of minimize, restore and maximize.

5. Explain how to close paint and how to save the image they created with a filename of their choice. Save the image into the My Documents folder for easy access.

6. Explain how to navigate to the My Documents folder and access/view the file they just saved with the...double click!!

7. Explain how to open their created file from the File menu inside paint

8. Explain how to create a New Folder in My Documents and how to rename the folder using the right click context menu.

9. Explain how to Browse into the New Folder and back out of it.

10. Explain dragging with the mouse and selecting multiple files

11. Explain drag and drop of a file/s into a folder.

12. Explain how to create a shortcut to the desktop to their created file

13. Explain how to delete a file and recover it from the recycle bin

By now they would be somewhat familiar with using the mouse and its basic functions. So you can proceed to any other software and explain the scroll button on the mouse. And also introduce them to the wondrous world of solitaire! :D
Click to expand...

Yes i would like to appreciate your views here and thanks to giving informative tips regarding to basic of computer concepts.Hope it will be helpful.