Kids Computer Lesson 3
This computer lesson is designed to teach children how to use Windows Explorer. With a parent's help, they will learn to search for a document and identify different file types.
Your child should finish Lesson 2 prior to doing this lesson.
There are a couple of ways to open Windows Explorer. Show your child both ways, and let them decide which way they like better. The first way is through the start menu. Start -- All Programs -- Accessories -- Windows Explorer. Or, hold down the Windows key and the 'E' key on the keyboard at the same time. The Windows key is on the bottom left of your keyboard and it looks kind of like a flag.
Have child click on search. It is on the toolbar with the magnifying glass picture. Let them search for their Word Pad document they created in Lesson 2. Explain how useful this search could be if they saved a file, but aren't sure where they saved it.
From the view menu, have them select details. Next to the document's name, you will see what folder the file is in. For instance: C:\Documents and Settings\Smith Family\Desktop\MyFolder. Explain to them that this means that the file was found on the C drive, in the folder: MyFolder. It is like having a filing cabinet named 'C' with a folder named 'Documents and Settings' inside the cabinet. Inside the 'Documents and Settings' folder is a folder named 'Smith Family'. Inside that folder is a folder named 'Desktop', and inside that folder is a folder named 'MyFolder'. The computer organizes things just like we might.
Have them single click on the document. Then on the left, click on "Open the folder that contains this item." This will open another window with both of the files that they have created. In this new window, click on the view menu, and then choose icons. Have them move the mouse over each file and read the file type that pops up. Notice how the file types are different for the two files, and they also have different picture icons.