The basics we forget to teach

[tommej]

windows key + pause/break

 

to get machine name when on the phone!

[danrhodes]

We have a Student View DFS share setup that is mapped for all teaching staff to be able to view the students work areas.

 

I once had lots of teachers coming to me saying, omg pupil X has a full copy of my My Documents please delete them quickly, this happened numerous times, when I went to look for the said documents they were never there, so I blamed it on the teacher not being able to use a computer properly!

 

Turns out, that when the teacher was browsing the documents of a given pupil and saw the folder named "My Documents" they automatically assumed it was their documents folder not realising that it was just a shortcut that the pupil had created to their own docs. But as we work on Environment variables, when the teacher opened the shortcut it took them to their own documents, thus they though that the pupil had a full copy of their documents, I explained this to them afterwards and they still didn't understand and wanted to make sure that their documents were deleted..........i should have done as they asked and deleted their documents lol!! Duh!!!

 

D

[CESIL]

Using TAB to go from username to password and then ENTER when logging in...

 

Instead of username...reach for mouse and click in password...type password...reach for mouse and click...

[neon]

The difference between save and save as! I had a teacher that always saved and didnt save as on px so he did a lesson then next week he would ask me where it had gone and how he could get it back? I explained to him the difference and had no problems since. little things we take for granted but over looked.

 

I remember going to a college once and they had a basic computer vclass and no word of a lie there was a guy picking up the mouse and pointing it at the screen mumbling to himself... I just walked out as the teacher looked at me in disbelieve!

[CESIL]

Another one I just thought of...

 

Creating a Word template means more than just saving a .doc file on the server...you can guarantee someone will save an edited version over the top...

[penfold]

Now this should already be taught everywhere, but using folders to create a decent filing system and giving files appropriate names. It really does annoy me when peolpe ask for help then sit there for 10 mins trying to find where they saved something called document1.

[budgester]

How to check the power is turned on at the wall. How many times have I walked halfway across the site to turn the power on.

 

How to check that all the cables are plugged into the right ports, oh look it would seem a student has removed the network cable to your PC.

[neon]

numlock on laptops, loads of people have some how managed to turn that thing on! Then I go and press 2 buttons and its like how did you do that....!

[DrPerceptron]

Or just Ctrl + S

 

F12 is also handy in that case.

 

Is it F3 that cycles between cases in Word?

 

How about basic projector operations? cable checking, proper startup order etc

[pete]

Searching a specific site (or .tld) using google.

 

Or just laminate the cheatsheet: Google Help : Cheat Sheet

 

The difference between a network cabinet full of switches and a server. They are not the same thing.

 

Alt-tab. There is a certain IT teacher who shall remain nameless who shamed the school in front of a salesweasel by declaring "I didn't know you could do that" when said salesweasel alt-tabbed. You could see the salesweasel attempting to hide the triumphant "there's money to be made here" grin.

[laserblazer]

Selecting details in explorer then sorting by date to find the file they have just saved.

 

That it's not necessary to use =sum(a1*b1)

[Andrew_C]

A couple of those that I didn't know... and don't work on this XP lappy. Windows Pause - nothing; right click in scroll bar - nothing. Hmmm....

 

If they've lost a folder full of work, use the search function. The most stressful fixes I've done were both where someone had click-dragged instead of double click, and have dumped that vital file/folder in some random folder.

[mac_shinobi]

How to shutdown the computer when they

 

1. Don't know how to use it correctly

2. Can't solve a problem they are having

3. Do random things some of which are mentioned above ref dragging and dropping a folder into a random one and not using the search function ie F3 to find it

 

:getmecoat::getmecoat:

[_Bat_]

How to unzip/unrar.

 

How to change source on a projector

 

that the base unit and the hard drive are not the same thing

 

the difference between xp/vista/office 2003/office 2007

 

the different between a domain not found and password incorrect errors

[Admiral208]

for some of the teachers here, I would start at real basics.

 

Breathe in... Breathe out...

 

Left foot forward... right foot forward...

[patty04]

An extension to that - you don't have to go to google, and enter a website address into the search box to get to that site. Happens often here.

 

God my mum does this load. example she types in the address bar google.co.uk then searches google for facebook.com

 

I have told her that if she just puts in facebook.com the address bar it will take her straight to it.

But no good.

 

How to unzip/unrar.

 

How to change source on a projector

Next one will be is it hp or Heinz? hehe couldn't help myself.

Edited December 11, 2009 by patty04
edit

[witch]

Now this should already be taught everywhere, but using folders to create a decent filing system and giving files appropriate names. It really does annoy me when peolpe ask for help then sit there for 10 mins trying to find where they saved something called document1.

 

This one is the bane of my life - they manage 'save-as' instead of just 'save' - well some of them do - they chose the correct place to put it - well , they drop it on their desktop anyway - but then they DON'T give it a relevant name!!!!

Sometimes, they even overwrite something else as it is also called 'document1'.

I mean, it's not as if a message warning you that this is going to happen comes up or anything

[Bezwick]

the amount of times ive done lessons in using the scanner for staff, but it doesnt matter how many times you show them how to use it, because they just want someone else to do it for them lol

 

I those cases i always say, i wont do it for you but i will stand here while you do, and will tell you what to do if you get stuck, as it will help you remember for next time.

 

Slight tip, this method works for Toners & Projectors too. lol

[sidewinder]

The difference between a network cabinet full of switches and a server. They are not the same thing.

 

haha yes. Doesnt matter too much because I know what they're talking about, but always raises a smile when staff say 'you know that server in our office' or 'is our server down' - referring to the switch cabinet when the internet isnt working or something

[znova]

F5 key. We were using real-time discussion on vle in a lesson and the teacher couldn't understand why half of the comments weren't showing up!

 

For those who use offline files -clicking the little box in the right corner or else you won't get to your shared drives!

[enjay]

Do the more common keyboard shortcuts in Office - Ctrl+ C, V, X, S, P, B, U, I, A; double- and triple-clicking words. I also do IT support for the RNIB, and the number of shortcuts some of my clients know rather than using the mouse is unreal (and humbling!).

 

Common printer problems would be good too - how to tell if ink is low or out, and how to tell the difference; how to change cartridges; how to clear paper jams (also that hitting print 12 times won't clear the problem which has prevented the first 11 copies from printing).

 

The importance of observing polarity when change the batteries in your cordless mouse, camera, etc.

 

A list of the things to check before calling IT Support, and what information to have handy when they do phone.

 

Linked to that is the correct names for things, e.g. the big box is not called either the hard drive or the CPU (in fact "big box" is actually the more accurate!), the difference between the desktop and MyDocs folders, the difference between the school network and the Internet. Obviously no reason to do things like server versus switch versus UPS, as they don't need to know those terms.

[TechMonkey]

Well cheers everyone. It was meant to be 15 mins but ended up being half hour/45 mins. & that was with the real basics, not even going on to hardware or peripherals. Bit disappointed as although there was huge interest I had 4 people. But they said they learnt a lot so I guess that makes it worth while.

 

If any one is interested in the sheet I can bung the PDF or Word doc up. It really is basic, basic though. Ohh & not sure how great my help sheet making skills are so my not make any sense to anyone else!

[enjay]

Yeah, please do publish it as I would like to steal it, um, I mean use it as a framework for my own document...

[Ex-MGSTech]

Yeah, please do publish it as I would like to steal it, um, I mean use it as a framework for my own document...

 

Yes, ditto, I'd also like to .....borrow it of possible

 

Thanks

[JJonas]

Well cheers everyone. It was meant to be 15 mins but ended up being half hour/45 mins. & that was with the real basics, not even going on to hardware or peripherals. Bit disappointed as although there was huge interest I had 4 people. But they said they learnt a lot so I guess that makes it worth while.

 

If any one is interested in the sheet I can bung the PDF or Word doc up. It really is basic, basic though. Ohh & not sure how great my help sheet making skills are so my not make any sense to anyone else!

 

I am interested. Post the word document please