COMMON COMPETENCIES

UNIT OF PERFORM COMPUTER

COMPETENCY: OPERATIONS

UNIT CODE: 506311203

This unit covers the knowledge, skills,

attitudes and values needed to perform
UNIT computer operations which include
DESCRIPTOR inputting, accessing, producing and
transferring data using the appropriate
hardware and software.
 COMMON COMPETENCY
UNIT OF
LEARNING OUTCOME
COMPETENCY:

• 1.1.1 Plan and prepare for task to be

undertaken
• 1.1.2 Input data into computer
• 1.1.3. Access information using
PERFORM computer
COMPUTER • 1.1.4 Produce output/ data using
OPERATIONS computer system
• 1.1.5 Use basic functions of a
www- browser to locate information
• 1.1.6 Maintain computer equipment
and systems
• LO2: Input data into
computer
ERGONOMICS
Ergonomics is the study of the
relationship between people, their
work tasks and their physical work
environment. The major goal of
ergonomics is to fit the job to the
individual and promote healthy
work practices.
Ergonomic Tips for Computer Users
Prolonged use of a computer keyboard
and/or mouse can lead to frequent
muscle aches and nerve pain unless a
few guidelines are followed. You can
work more comfortably and safely if
you incorporate the following
ergonomic tips into your work style:
COMPUTER WORKSTATION
COMPUTER WORKSTATION
1. Elbows-Above the desk at 90-110 degrees
2. Shoulders- Relaxed as opposed to hunched
3. Wrists- In line with forearms
4. Hips, Knees, Ankle- At 90 degrees
whist seated
5. Feet- Flat on the ground or footrest For
prolonged standing, consider a mat
6. Head – upright with ears aligned with
shoulder
COMPUTER WORKSTATION
7.Eyes-looking at the top of the screen
Consider the use of a laptop raiser with your
Laptop
8.Seat Length- Should be long enough
to provide support beneath things
9.Backrest- Angled at 90-110 degrees with
adequate lumbar support in line with lower back
10.Keyboard and Mouse- G and H of
Keyboard aligned with your nose. Mouse gripped
loosely.
11.Laptop- Used with a riser, external
keyboard and external mouse.
SYMPTOMS OF WORK-RELATED
MUSCULOSKELETAL DISORDERs (WMSDS)
• Upper back and neck burning
• Headaches and eyestrain
• Low back discomfort
• Shoulder or arm weakness
• Muscles cramping in your legs
• Numbness or tingling in your hand
• Dropping objects or a weaker grip
• Being awakened at night due to
pain
COMMON PROBLEMS
• Holding the telephone handset
between your ear and shoulder
• Looking down and/or to one side to
read text that is laying flat on the
desk
• Reaching forward to operate the
mouse that is located on the desktop
• Using a keyboard that is positioned
on a standard height desktop
COMMON PROBLEMS
• Viewing a laptop screen that is too low
or too high
• Using the laptop keyboard for typing
• Sitting in a chair that has poor
back support
• Chair is too large or too small
causing inadequate back support
• Sitting and keyboarding in one
position longer than one hour at a
time
Work Technique
• Reduce keystrokes with the use of macros or software
programs allowing "sticky keys." Use scroll locks and
keystroke combinations to reduce pointing-device
movements.
• Alternate tasks to make changes in your working position
to avoid making the same movements for prolonged
periods of time.
• Keep your fingers and knuckles relaxed when working at
the
keyboard.
• Never hold a pen or pencil in your hand when keying.
• Avoid hitting the keyboard with excessive force. Studies
have shown that the average user hits the keyboard with four
times the required force when keying.
• Avoid holding your pointing device tightly. Your hand should
be relaxed.
• Rest your eyes by refocusing on distant objects intermittently
when working
Work Environment
• Avoid excessive reaching. Your keyboard, pointing
device, files and telephone should be within easy
reach.
• Use a keyboard tray to properly position your
keyboard and pointing device.
• Use a copyholder positioned in line with your
monitor and keyboard.
• When writing at the computer, avoid excessive
reaching over the keyboard or work materials.
• Position the monitor so that the viewed part of the
screen allows you to keep your neck in a neutral
or straight position.
• Position your monitor to eliminate excessive glare
or
reflections from windows and lighting.
•
Ergonomic Keyboard
Selecting the right ergonomic keyboard is an important
part of your ergonomically designed computer
workstation. If you have the wrong keyboard setup right
now, your aching hands and wrists likely agree with the
previous statement.

The keyboard should be directly
in front of you.

Your shoulders should be relaxed
and your elbows close to your
body.

Your wrists should be straight and
in line with your forearms.
Keyboard Placement – Height:
If the keyboard is too low, you’ll have to
compensate by bending your wrists
upward. If the keyboard is too high,
you’ll have to compensate by raising your
shoulders to elevate your arms.
Design and Use:
Keyboard design, size and tilt should
all be considered when selecting a
keyboard. As mentioned earlier,
there is no one-size fits all approach
Good Sitting Posture When Typing
• Resting your feet flat on the
floor or on a footrest.
• Looking straight ahead
without leaning forward,
bending forward exerts
too much pressure on
you discs.
• Positioning your knees
at the same level or
slightly lower than your
hips.
• Relaxing your shoulders.
Common Improper Typing Postures
Wrist Extension
Bad: The most common
problem typing posture, this
occurs when your keyboard
is higher than your wrists,
requiring you to hyper
extend your wrists to press
the keys.
How to Fix: Lower your seat and raise your
wrists up so your wrists and keyboard are
on the same plane. Maintain a straight,
neutral wrist as you type.
Closed Elbows and Shrugged Shoulders

Bad: This occurs when your

chair is too low or the
keyboard is too close to
your body, resulting in
closed elbows, shrugged
shoulders and wrists flexion.

How to Fix: Raise your seat height so

your elbows are at an open 90-110 degree
angle, and pull back your seat if
necessary.
Arm Extension
Bad: This occurs when
the keyboard is too far
away from you,
resulting in your arms
hyper extending to reach
it.
How to Fix: Bring the keyboard
closer to you so your elbows are at
a maximum 110 degrees angle.
Common Problems Due to Poor
Typing Posture
Computer-related injuries are often
caused by poor postures. Typical
typing problems range from wrist
strain and rounded shoulders to
neck and shoulder pain.
Problem: Wrist Strain

Solution: Keep your wrists straight as

you type. Perform simple hand
exercises such as wrist flexion and
extension periodically.
Wrist Extensor and Flexor Stretches
The wrist extension and flexion stretches are
so simple to do, yet are highly beneficial in
rejuvenating your joints and increasing your
wrist mobility after typing for a long time.
Neck Relaxer
This is an awesome
exercise to release
tension in your neck,
plus rejuvenate blood
flow to that area. I
find it also helps
wake me up.
Overhead Shoulder Stretch
This is one of my all-time favorite
stretches. It helps break up tension in
the neck, shoulders, and upper back
all at once.
Other Ergonomic Typing Tips
Practice to Type Lightly
Practice to type lightly and with the minimal
amount of force required to register a key.
You don’t have to abuse your keyboard to
register a keystroke
Rest Your Fingers on the Home Keys
The position of your fingers as you type
is just as important as the position of
your wrists and palms
Consider a Different Keyboard Layout
If you constantly suffer from hand or fingers
strain when typing, you may want to
experiment with a different keyboard layout
from the standard QWERTY.

Consider a Mechanical Keyboard

Keys on a mechanical keyboard consist
of physical switches that are much
more tactile and lower resistant
compared to those found on membrane
keyboards.
30 Keyboard Shortcuts for Microsoft
Word
Shortcuts Keys Operation

Ctrl+X Cut

Ctrl+C Copy

Ctrl+V Paste

Ctrl+Z Undo

Ctrl+Y Redo

Ctrl+S Save

Ctrl+P Print
Shortcuts For Moving Around Easily / Quickly In Word
Home Beginning of line
End End of line
Ctrl + Home Go to start of document
Ctrl + End Go to end of document
Right Arrow Right one character
Left Arrow Left one character
Ctrl+Right Arrow Right one word
Ctrl+Left Arrow Left one word
Up Arrow Up one line
Down Arrow Down one line
Ctrl+Up Arrow Up one paragraph
Ctrl+Down Arrow Down one paragraph
F4 Repeat last command
Ctrl + A Select Whole Document
Text Formatting Shortcuts In Word

Ctrl+B Bold
Ctrl+I Italics
Ctrl+U Underline
Ctrl+Shift+L Bulleted list
Ctrl+L Align left
Ctrl+R Align right
Ctrl+E Align centre
Ctrl+[ Shrink font size

Ctrl+] Grow font size

What Is Software?
Software is a computer program that provides
instructions and data to execute a user’s
commands. It is an indispensable part of the
machine you cannot see, but it allows you to
use the computer
Two Major Types of Other Two Types of
Computer Software Computer Software
application software or ‘apps’ are what you engage
with the most. These types of computer software
are productive end-user programs that help you
perform tasks.
• MS Excel
• Photoshop
• Skype
Application Software Type Examples

Word processing software: Tools that are used to Microsoft Word, WordPad, AppleWorks and
create word sheets and type documents etc. Notepad

Spreadsheet software: Software used to compute

quantitative data. Apple Numbers, Microsoft Excel and Quattro Pro

Database software: Used to store data and sort

information. Oracle, MS Access and FileMaker Pro

Application Suites: A collection of related

programs sold as a package. OpenOffice, Microsoft Office

Multimedia software: Tools used for a mixture of

audio, video, image and text content. Real Player, Media Player

Communication Software: Tools that connect

systems and allow text, audio, and video-based
communication. MS NetMeeting, IRC, ICQ

Internet Browsers: Used to access and view Netscape Navigator, MS Internet Explorer, and
websites. Google Chrome

Email Programs: Software used for emailing. Microsoft Outlook, Gmail, Apple Mail
SYSTEM
SOFTWARE

System software helps the user, hardware, and

application software to interact and function
together. These types of computer software allow
an environment or platform for other software
and applications to work in.
Example of System Software
Operating systems are an example of system
software.
For desktop computers, laptops and
tablets:


Microsoft Windows

Mac (for Apple devices)

Linux
For smartphones:


Apple’s iOS

Google’s Android

Windows Phone OS
 Programming
Software

 Programming software is the type of

software that is not used by end-users. It
is not for you unless, of course, you are a
programmer who writes code.
Examples of Programming Software.
Eclipse – a Java language editor
Coda – programming language editor for
Mac
Notepad++ – an open-source editor for
windows
Sublime Text – a cross-platform code editor
for Mac, Windows, and Linux
 Driver Software
 Driver software is often classified as
one of the types of system software.
They operate and control devices and
peripherals plugged into a computer.
Five Additional Different Types
Of Software
• Freeware
• Shareware
• Open Source Software
• Closed Source Software
• Utility Software
 Freeware software is any software that is
available to use for free. They can be
downloaded and installed over the internet
without any cost.
• Google Chrome
• Skype
• Instagram
• Snapchat
• Adobe reader
• are software applications that are paid
programs, but are made available for free
for a limited period of time known as
‘trial period’.

Adobe PhotoShop

Adobe Illustrator

Netflix App

Matlab

McAfee Antivirus
This is a type of software that has an open-
source code that is available to use for all
users
• Libre Office
• PHP
• GNU Image Manipulation
Program (GIMP)
These are the types of software that are non-free for
the programmers. For this software, the source
code is the intellectual property of software
publishers.
• NET
• Java
• Android
• Microsoft Office
• Adobe Photoshop
Utility software is considered a subgroup of
system software.
• Antivirus and security software
• File compressor
• Disk cleaner
• Disk defragmentation software
• Data backup software