ABSTRACT

With the advancement in technology over the

years, we now live in a world that is both
enriched and burdened by computers and
gadgets. The domination of technology in our
everyday lives highlights the importance of
digital literacy not just for adults but also
children. The digital world offers enormous
benefits and advantages to everyone, however,
without proper use and understanding of
technology, the digital world can be
overwhelming, and even dangerous. Teaching
kids’ digital literacy skills are very important.
Kids need to be able to understand the
technology that they use so they can use it
safely and effectively. Digital literacy is not
just about knowing how to take a selfie or
update Facebook. Digital literacy means

LESSON PLAN understanding technology and using it

appropriately

Asia Haani
BASICS COMPUTER SCIENCE Prepared By: ENG. H. N.A ASIA
HAANI, Certificate in Computer
Science, Repair & Maintenance,
National, Diploma in Mechanical
Engineering.
Basic Computer Skills for Kids to
Master

Table of Contents

• Basic Computer Skills for Kids to Master

o 1. Computer Basics for Kids – Typing Skills
o 2. Basic Computer Skills for Students – Using Web Browsers
o 3. Basic Computer Skills for Students – Working With Microsoft Office
o 4. Basic Computer Skills for Kids – File Maintenance and Organization
o 5. Computer Skills for Kids – Email Etiquette
o 6. Basic Computer Skills for Students – Using the Internet for Research
o 7. Basic Computer Troubleshooting
o 8. Online Privacy, Security, and Safety Skills
• Recommended Reading
With the advancement in technology over the years, we now live in a world that is both
enriched and burdened by computers and gadgets. The domination of technology in our
everyday lives highlights the importance of digital literacy not just for adults but also
children. The digital world offers enormous benefits and advantages to everyone,
however, without proper use and understanding of technology, the digital world can be
overwhelming, and even dangerous.
Teaching kids’ digital literacy skills are very important. Kids need to be able to
understand the technology that they use so they can use it safely and effectively. Digital
literacy is not just about knowing how to take a selfie or update Facebook. Digital
literacy means understanding technology and using it appropriately.
Moreover, whether kids are in an online school, distance learning, or traditional brick-
and-mortar school, it is expected that children have mastered all things related to
computers. After all, most teens and preteens spend several hours a day on digital
screens.

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

Learning Objectives
After this lesson, students will be able to:

• have basic Keyboard and Mouse Skills

• have basic Software and Application Skills
• have basic Internet Introduction: Safe and Productive Use
• distinguish between computer hardware and software
• discuss the purpose of each hardware part
• identify internal and external computer hardware part

Here are some computer programs we feel kids should be familiar with early on:

• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Internet Browsers (Google Chrome, Firefox, Safari, etc.)
• Google Apps (especially Google Docs and Google Drive)
• Simple photo editing/drawing tools (like MS Paint)
• File Storage Programs (like Windows File Explorer)

These computer programs can teach your kids necessary computer skills like:

• How to drag + drop files

• How to rename folders
• How to share files
• How to create and save new word documents
• How to print word documents
• How to access the internet

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

Basic Computer Skills for Kids to Master
These are the basic computer skills for kids to be familiar with.
1. Computer Basics for Kids – Typing Skills
When we think of essential computer skills for our children, typing isn’t something that
is often discussed. But that really shouldn’t be the case, as learning to type is one of the
most valuable skills that a child should learn.
It can not only help them with their school work but can also set them up with an
advantage in later life when it comes to exploring job opportunities. Many jobs now
require quick typing skills, but with advances in technology that’s set to become even
more important.

Here are a few merits of knowledge of typing for kids:

• Typing helps kids work more efficiently: Children who learn to type can work
far quicker as they won’t have to look down at their fingers as they look for the
correct characters to press. Whether they are working on a school assignment
or a home project, they will be able to focus purely on getting their ideas out
onto the screen, rather than wasting energy and time trying to find that elusive
letter on the keyboard.
• Typing can improve English language skills: Typing engages various cognitive
aspects of a child’s brain as it’s a very demanding motor activity. This results in
the child being a lot more focused and conscious of what they are typing, as
they will want to write the words out correctly. This improved level of focus
and engagement can help the child to improve their written English skills and
also their spelling.
• Typing gives kids an advantage in education: And naturally, having that
increased speed can lead to advantages for children in school, plus throughout
their academic life up until they leave college or university. If your child can
produce computer-written work and tasks at more than twice the speed of a
type-trained child, it stands to reason that it could help them to get ahead. In
secondary education and beyond, the majority of assignments and essays are
expected to be typed. By learning to type, children could shave hundreds of
hours off the time they spend producing their work. If they learn at a young age,
then they will reap the benefits as they progress through the education system.
• Typing gives kids an advantage in their future careers: For many years now,
jobs that require keyboard and typing skills have not simply been limited to
administrative roles. With advances in technology, the rise of robotics, and an
ever-changing job market, the ability to type is going to become even more
important for future careers. Even today, given the prevalence that computers
have in the modern workplace, a typing speed of 50 words a minute is generally

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

 seen as the bare minimum employees should be able to achieve in order to be
viewed as efficient.
• Typing quickly and efficiently saves you time: Just by doubling your typing
speed from 25 words to 50 words per minute, you can effectively half how long
it will take you to perform a written task. For children that could mean that
they get homework and assignments completed a lot quicker, meaning that
they aren’t sitting in front of a computer screen for long periods of time.

2. Basic Computer Skills for Students – Using Web

Browsers
Web browsers are as important as the first printing presses because they make it
possible for anyone to share and interact with knowledge and data. No matter which
web browser kids use, they should learn the basics of browsing the Web. Here are the
important concepts that all children should know about web browsers:

• URLs and Address Bar: Each website has a unique address, called a URL (short
for Uniform Resource Locator). It’s like a street address that tells your browser
where to go on the Internet. When you type a URL into the browser’s address
bar and press Enter on your keyboard, the browser will load the page
associated with that URL.
• Links: Whenever you see a word or phrase on a website that’s blue or
underlined in blue, it’s probably a hyperlink or link for short. You might already
know how links work, even if you’ve never thought about them much
before. Links are used to navigating the Web. When you click a link, it will
usually take you to a different webpage. You may also notice that your cursor
changes into a hand icon whenever you hover over a link.
• Navigation Buttons: The Back and Forward buttons allow you to move through
websites you’ve recently viewed. You can also click and hold either button to
see your recent history. The Refresh button will reload the current page. If a
website stops working, try using the Refresh button.
• Tabbed Browsing: Many browsers allow you to open links in a new tab. You can
open as many links as you want, and they’ll stay in the same browser window
instead of cluttering your screen with multiple windows. To open a link in a
new tab, right-click the link and select Open link in the new tab (the exact
wording may vary from browser to browser).
• Bookmarks and History: If you find a website you want to view later, it can be
hard to memorize the exact web address. Bookmarks, also known as favourites,
are a great way to save and organize specific websites so you can revisit them
again and again. Simply locate and select the Star icon to bookmark the current
website. Your browser will also keep a history of every site you visit. This is

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

 another good way to find a site you visited previously. To view your history,
open your browser settings—usually by clicking the icon in the upper-right
corner—and select History.
• Downloading Files: Links don’t always go to another website. In some cases, they
point to a file that can be downloaded, or saved, to your computer. If you click a
link to a file, it may download automatically, but sometimes it just opens within
your browser instead of downloading. To prevent it from opening in the
browser, you can right-click the link and select Save link as (different browsers
may use slightly different wording, like Save target as).
• Saving Images: Sometimes you may want to save an image from a website to
your computer. To do this, right-click the image and select Save image as (or
Save picture as).
• Plug-Ins: Plug-ins are small applications that allow you to view certain types of
content within your web browser. For example, Adobe Flash and Microsoft
Silverlight are sometimes used to play videos, while Adobe Reader is used to
viewing PDF files. If you don’t have the correct plug-in for a website, your
browser will usually provide a link to download it. There may also be times
when you need to update your plug-ins.

3. Basic Computer Skills for Students – Working with

Microsoft Office
Microsoft Office is the most widely used tool for sharing/presenting professional
information by a considerable number of companies in the world. The benefits of
Microsoft Office to business productivity are so important that all computer-based
professionals today are very familiar with Office. It is used at home, schools, and offices
daily for organizing, handling, and presenting data and information and offers programs
that can be used both in a web browser and on a desktop.

Kids must be able to use the most popular computer programs available for the work
they’ll do on their computer. Your child should know their way around Microsoft Office,
a suite of computer programs used throughout the academic and professional worlds. It
includes:

• Microsoft Word. Perhaps the most popular word processing and document
creator program. Your student should be able to:
• Create, format, save, and edit documents in Word
• Add tables and graphics to documents 
• Adjust margins and spacing
• Check word counts

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

 • Create headers and footers
• Use track changes

• Excel. In this spreadsheet program, your high school student should know how
to organize information in charts and graphs, write formulas, sort, and filter
data, and use cell references.
• PowerPoint. Mastery of this slide program will allow students to make effective
presentations as part of reports for school and in their future workplaces. A
high school student should be able to create basic presentations with text,
pictures, and objects.
Here are six important reasons why Office is an essential tool for kids today:

• Microsoft Office is used by 90% of Companies Worldwide: Statistically, this

means that over 1.2 billion people and most businesses are currently using
Microsoft Office. That’s nearly 20% of the world’s population and that many
people can’t be wrong. Recent statistics have shown that the percentage of
enterprises with at least 100 users increased from 87% to 91%, and usage
within enterprises grew by over 320%.
• Employment: In the current job market, knowledge of Microsoft Office tools is
essential as it helps to make your mark.
• Presentations, word files, excel sheets, and working databases – are all a part of
daily tasks for most of us. When you have an in-depth knowledge of MS Office, it
means you can make better presentations, use more features in Word, Excel, or
Access and thus make your mark on work in your style. This puts you ahead
compared to your peers and thus boosts more confidence in you, too.
• Cloud Service: Microsoft very well knows that the cloud is the future. Office 365
is a remarkable service in this domain. Office 365 is a cloud-based service:
while a user has access to the Internet, he/she can access Office 365 services
online. Some of the main benefits of working in the cloud are:
• Cost-saving – Easy access to your company’s data will save money
and time once you’re on the cloud.
• Mobility – Mobile access to corporate data via smartphones and
devices is possible with cloud computing, which is a great way to
make sure your employees are never left out of the loop.
• Disaster recovery – Quick data recovery for all kinds of emergency
scenarios, from natural disasters to power outages is provided by
cloud-based services.
• Different Features and Support: Microsoft delivers all office tools with more and
better features with every new release. There is extensive and professional
support available 24/7 for Office, as well as countless online resources
providing tutorials and tips for using MS Office tools.
• Trust and Reliability: The reason companies and users continue to use Office
today is due to the trust which Microsoft has built up over the years. Office
delivers great utility and advanced features with every new release, so people
don’t need to look at any other tool. Microsoft has justified the fact that trust
goes a long way.
• Highly User-Friendly Interface and Features: Microsoft Office is well known for
its clean and straightforward user interface, which is easy to use and
understand. The pages are extremely user-friendly, and you can easily navigate

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

 through them. The menu items explain and guide you clearly to execute your
tasks effectively and effortlessly.

4. Basic Computer Skills for Kids – File Maintenance

and Organization
Technology puts the “virtual” in “virtual school,” making the computer your student’s
most important learning tool. In fact, a computer can be considered a learning space,
just like a virtual classroom. Knowing how to create and save work on a computer is
essential, but very quickly the prolific computer user will realize they need a system for
how and where they store their work.

Kids need to know how to:

• Create and label folders

• Understand that each folder may hold individual files or additional folders with
subfolders within them
• Understand file suffixes, e.g., that a file ending in .docx will open in Microsoft
Word, and .xls will open in Microsoft Excel
• Understand the use of external drives, such as flash and thumb drives
• Be familiar with online and cloud file storage, and how to transfer and share files,
such as via Dropbox, Microsoft’s OneDrive, and Google Drive
Kids should all know how a computer can be organized and maintained to boost the
computer’s—and thereby the student’s—long-term performance. Use the checklist
below to make sure you cover everything.

• Organize Your School files: Proper organization helps the computer run more
efficiently and makes it easier for you to find things.
• Your “My Documents” folder is organized using a simple hierarchy of
sub-folders for each subject.
• All files follow a consistent naming structure, including important
information such as the subject, date, and name of the assignment.
For example, “9-25-13_Math_Fractions Homework.”
• All files are in the correct place.
• Clean Your Desktop: Removing clutter from your desktop can make you feel
better and also make important shortcuts and documents stand out.
• There are no unused or unnecessary shortcuts.
• There are shortcuts for frequently accessed folders.

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

 • There are no files on your desktop.
• Change Your Passwords to Enhance Your Security: This is especially
important for your major online accounts.
• Your passwords are longer than six characters and include both
numbers and letters.
• Your passwords are backed up in a secure place.
• Free Up Space: This can make your computer faster and more efficient. It can be
achieved in the following ways:
• They checked for and uninstalled unneeded programs within the
Control Panel.
• They took a look in “My Computer” to make sure at least 15% of your
hard drive space is free, which helps your computer run more
smoothly.
• They checked to see whether any unimportant programs start
automatically when your computer turns on. You can do this by
typing “msconfig” (without quotation marks) into the search box of
the Start menu and hitting Enter, then clicking the Startup tab in the
System Configuration box that appears.
• They ran a disk defragment, allowing your hard drive to place all
saved data together to make it easier to access.
• Check Your Computer Security: Kids should have a free antivirus program
downloaded on their computer.
• Their antivirus software is up-to-date.
• They ran a scan and dealt with any security threats it detected.
• If they noticed any signs of malware on your computer, technology
support services should be contacted. Another option is to run a
program to remove any malware.
• Backup Your Data: Prevent yourself from losing important documents.
• You save copies of your files to a flash drive, to an external hard
drive, or in a form of cloud storage.
• Clean Your Computer: Technology accumulates dust, grime, fingerprints, and
more, so don’t forget to clean it often.
• You used a mild disinfectant on the keyboard and mouse without
getting either wet.
• You used a can of compressed air to blow the dust out of your
keyboard.
• You gently wiped the dust off of the monitor with a dry cloth or a
cloth with screen cleaner.

5. Computer Skills for Kids – Email Etiquette

Many kids enter upper elementary or middle school knowing how to text, how to
quickly find information on Google, and even how to make their own YouTube videos.
But a surprising number of students have never used email. It simply isn’t a preferred
method of communication among today’s youth.

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

As a parent/teacher, we have a great opportunity to introduce students to email. We
may be their first exposure to this form of communication, so it’s important that we take
the time to teach some really big lessons. We want our students to be good
communicators, and it’s crucial that they learn the ins and outs of email
correspondence. This will be a much-needed skill as students will need it in high school
(to contact their teachers), as well as in college and the workforce.
These are some of the important points that kids should keep in mind while writing
emails:

• Email is More Formal Than Texting: While it is not as formal as a handwritten

letter, email communication is more formal than a text, especially while
emailing teachers. For that reason, always begin an email with a greeting and
end with a closing.
• Omit Abbreviations, Slang and Emojis, and Use Proper Grammar: Words like
BTW or LMK are not appropriate for emailing teachers and elders. Spell out
every word and use proper grammar, including using proper capitalization and
punctuation.
• Be Polite yet Succinct: Tone can get lost in email communication so be cautious
on the side of being courteous. Also, avoid wordy emails. Everyone appreciates
emails that are to the point. If this is not possible, setting up a phone call is a
better option.
• Don’t Forget a Subject Line: This sums up what the email is about. “Math Test on
20th Feb” or “Questions on Geometry Assignment” helps the recipient start
through her/his inbox and replay in a timely manner.
• Proofread Before Sending: Check for spelling and grammatical errors. Read over
an email (aloud if it helps) before you hit send to make sure it sounds
respectful. If possible, it’s better to send an email from your computer instead
of a cell phone where it’s easier to spot mistakes.
• Never Send an Email You Don’t Want Everyone to See: This goes for any
electronic communication. Mistakes happen. People get copied on the wrong
emails or the recipient might accidentally forward it to the wrong person. So,
always ask yourself before sending if you would be embarrassed if someone
other than the recipient saw the email.
• Always Reply: And in a timely manner. Ideally the same day. Even if a teacher
doesn’t ask any specific question, reply so that they know you received and
read the email. A simple “Thank you” is great! If you don’t reply in a timely
manner, send a quick apology as soon as you realize it.

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

6. Basic Computer Skills for Students – Using the
Internet for Research
Your school papers, assignments, and presentations require research that today
typically includes the use of the internet, as well as textbooks, other publications, and
subject matter experts. The skills necessary to navigate the internet well enough to
perform research for online high school courses include:

• Conducting an effective search with a search engine (e.g., Google, Bing, Yahoo)
using advanced search commands
• Evaluating web resources for authority, currency, purpose, and content
• Identifying legitimate resources
• Fact-checking information
• Understanding copyrights, licenses, and plagiarism in a digital environment and
how to cite online sources in papers.
7. Basic Computer Troubleshooting
Anyone who uses a computer on a regular basis needs to understand the basics of how
computers work and what to do when something goes wrong.

When computer problems arise, your high schooler should know to:

• Write down each step taken to correct the problem

• Check to make sure that all cables are properly connected, all plugs are in, and
power strips are on
• Write down as much information as possible about error messages the computer
provides, and look them up online (on another device) for more information
• Reboot; when all else fails, try restarting the program and/or the computer

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

8. Online Privacy, Security, and Safety Skills
During school closures, thousands of pupils are stuck at home and use the internet to
attend their online classes and keep in touch with their classmates and friends. “The
moment a child owns a mobile phone,” says Simon Leggett, Research Director of Child
Wise, “it can be a challenge to monitor what your child is accessing online because it’s
such a private technology that most keep, literally, close to their chest.”

Setting blanket restrictions on your children’s internet usage — while it sounds

tempting — can prevent them from developing skills and increasing critical learning
opportunities. Kids can learn many things with the internet, provided they use it with
extra care. Below are some of the internet dangers that students face:

Cyberbullying
•
Phishing
•
Cyber Predators
•
Malware
•
Scams
•
These are the basic computer skills for beginners – Typing, Using Web Browsers,
Working with Microsoft Office, File Maintenance & Organization, and Email Etiquette.

Basic rules when kids are first introduced to the computer,

introducing them to the idea of privacy. For example:

• Don’t post personal pictures

• Don’t reveal any personal information online, like your name, address, where you
attend school, or your passwords
• Never agree to meet someone in person that you met online.
• Don’t respond to threats or bullying
• Don’t post threats or bully anyone else
• Tell a parent or guardian immediately if you see or receive anything that scares,
worries, or makes you otherwise uncomfortable.

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]

Conclusion
With the advancement in technology over the years, we now live in a world that is both
enriched and burdened by computers and gadgets. Kids are also not untouched by this
revolution. In today’s world, every kid should be equipped with basic computer skills
such as Typing, Using Web Browsers, Working with Microsoft Office, File Maintenance &
Organization, and Email Etiquette.

Recommended Reading
• 10 Best Kids Coding Languages For 2023
• Different Types of Image Formats and Their Uses Explained To Kids
• 10 Best Study Planner and Reminder Apps for Kids
• Best Creative Tools for Kids

Prepared By: ENG. H. N.A ASIA HAANI

Certificate in Computer Science, Repair & Maintenance
National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering

Asia Haani. Tel: 0701270188/0787530107 Email: [email protected]