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TM1 - Fundamentals - Learning Material

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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
6 views

TM1 - Fundamentals - Learning Material

Uploaded by

xawukazikhona96
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 42

Digital Literacy:

Fundamentals

Department of Applied Technologies

2024

Used with permission of the Department of


Computing Sciences.
Table of Contents
Contents

1. Introduction to Microsoft Windows ........................................................................................................................................ 1


A. Sign-in to MS Windows at NMU ................................................................................................................................................. 1
B. Getting to Know the MS Windows Desktop ................................................................................................................................ 5
Signing out of the Network ............................................................................................................................................................. 7

2. Windows & Applications ......................................................................................................................................................... 8


A. Finding & Starting Apps .............................................................................................................................................................. 8
Quick Access .................................................................................................................................................................................... 8
Searching for Apps without an icon ................................................................................................................................................ 8
B. Navigating between Open Windows .......................................................................................................................................... 9
Opening Multiple Windows ........................................................................................................................................................... 10
C. Creating & Saving an Image of your Screen ............................................................................................................................. 12
D. Closing Windows & Apps .......................................................................................................................................................... 15

3. File Management .................................................................................................................................................................. 16


A. Introduction to File Management ............................................................................................................................................. 16
B. File Explorer Window ................................................................................................................................................................ 20
C. Various Storage Areas .............................................................................................................................................................. 21
D. Using Folders & Managing Files ............................................................................................................................................... 22
E. Searching for Files, Folders ....................................................................................................................................................... 25
F. File Properties ........................................................................................................................................................................... 26
G. Downloading / Uploading Files from / to the Internet ............................................................................................................. 26
H. Backup Data.............................................................................................................................................................................. 30

4. Using E-mail software ........................................................................................................................................................... 31


B. What is e-mail? ......................................................................................................................................................................... 31
C. Benefits of e-mail: ..................................................................................................................................................................... 31
D. E-mail address: ......................................................................................................................................................................... 31
E. Use e-mail software .................................................................................................................................................................. 33
Understand E-mail Folders ............................................................................................................................................................ 35
F. Formal and Informal Messages ................................................................................................................................................ 37

Projects .......................................................................................................................................................................................... 39

i
Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 1

1. Introduction to Microsoft Windows


Microsoft (MS) Windows is the standard operating system for all workstations and laptops used at NMU
for learning, teaching and work.
In this lesson you will learn to:
• sign in and sign out of MS Windows
• changing your password
• use the MS Windows desktop
• moving and resizing windows on the desktop

A. Sign-in to MS Windows at NMU


You will need to sign-in to the NMU network to start working and always remember to sign-out at the
end of your session.
The first time you sign-in, you need to change your password to something you can remember, before
you can continue – if this is not your first time signing-in to the NMU network, you might already have
changed your password.
Have your student card & password available before you sign in. You will not be allowed to
work in the labs without your student card.
Note: Your initial password is provided on your registration confirmation document.

 Exercise 1.1: Signing-In & Changing your Password


1. If your screen is blank, move the mouse and your screen will “wake up”.
2. You should see an image, similar to the figure below, displayed on your screen:

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 1

3. Find the keys Ctrl, Alt and Delete on your keyboard. Press Ctrl, hold it down while you
press Alt and then hold them both down while you press Delete and then let all three go.
Remember that your keyboard is electronic and that the last key you press only requires
light pressure for it to be activated. If you hold it down for too long, that keystroke will be
repeated until you let go!

Alt Delete

Ctrl
Space bar

4. Each student has a unique username and password. The computer is case sensitive — in
other words it can tell the difference between capital (uppercase) and small (lowercase)
letters. Make sure you type your password letters exactly as they have been given on your
registration document. To type a capital letter, hold down the Shift key and then press the
letter key.

You should type your own user name in the first box (username box). This is usually the
letter s followed by your student number – for example: s223123456
5. Move to the next box, by pressing the Tab key on your keyboard or clicking on the next
box using your mouse.
Caps lock
indicator
Tab

Caps lock

6. In the second box (password box), type the unique password linked to your user name –
An asterisk (*) will appear for every character you type in. This is normal, as your password
is secret and should not be displayed for anyone else to see. Find your password on your
registration document. To check that you have entered your password correctly, click on
the small eye that appears to the right of the password text box.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 1

7. Click the button or press the Enter key.


If there is a problem with your sign in process, check the Domain data. The Domain data
indicates the user group to which you are connected, namely Mandela. If this box contains
something else, ask for assistance.
If you get a message indicating that your password is incorrect, check that Caps Lock is off
and type your password again. The light on right-hand side of keyboard will be on if Caps
Lock is on. This means that everything you type will be in uppercase (capital) letters. Press
the Caps Lock key on the left-hand side of the keyboard to turn it off.
8. The first time you sign into the network, the Change Password dialog box will appear on
the screen. This is so that you can change your password to something that you can easily
remember, but that will be difficult for anyone else to guess.
Your NMU password should have at least the following characteristics:
• A minimum of 8 characters long.
• Include a mixture of uppercase and lowercase letters AND numbers.
• A combination of letters and numbers that someone else cannot easily guess.
• A special character (e.g. @#$%^<> /)
Tip: Use a combination of upper-case (CAPITAL) letters by holding down the Shift key and
pressing the letter you want, lower-case letters, numbers and symbols – to type a symbol,
hold down the Shift key and press the number key that shows the symbol you want above
the number.

Tips – Manual Activation of a Password Change


If there is not a system generated change, press Ctrl, Alt and Delete keys simultaneously.
(Press Ctrl, hold it down while you press Alt and then hold them both down while you press
Delete and then let all three go.) The MS Windows 10 options will appear on your screen.
i. Select Change Password.
ii. Type in your old password – remember that you need to type the password in exactly as
originally set, using upper-case and lower-case when required.
iii. Use the Tab key or click with your mouse to move from one box to the next. Do NOT

press Enter or click until you have entered text in all the boxes.
iv. Type your newly formulated password. It should be at least six characters (letters and
numbers).
v. Type the new password again to confirm that it has been entered correctly.

vi. Press Enter or click.


Make sure you remember your new password as you will use it next time you sign into
a computer in the labs!
Once your password has been changed, you will be returned to the MS Windows 10
options. Select Cancel to close this and continue working.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 1

9. A list of the conditions you must agree to if you are to use the equipment belonging to the
 university, is displayed.

Read the conditions and then press the Enter key, or click the OK button with your mouse.
By doing this you are indicating that you agree with these conditions.
10. Once you have signed in, you will see the main MS Windows 10 screen, called the
desktop, with a background picture and a number of small pictures, called icons, all over
and tinier icons in a strip along the bottom in the taskbar – this whole display is called the
desktop (see the image below):

Your Username

Background
Desktop Icons Image

Search Taskbar Notifications Bar

VERY NB: NEVER Shut Down (switch off) the workstations in the labs on campus
OR power off the monitor (screen).
When you want to END your session – close any windows you may have open until only the
desktop shows, then follow the instructions to Sign Out (see task in Exercise 1.3: below).

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 1

For HOME use ONLY


If you have MS Windows 11 on your laptop, some things will look different, but you need to
be familiar with MS Windows 10 as well, as this is the environment for your tests.

B. Getting to Know the MS Windows Desktop


You can do many things from your Desktop – start programs from various places, search for programs,
change the settings of your computer – how things will display and work – and get help on how do
accomplish operating system-based tasks.
However, many of these personalising tools are not available to you is you are working in any of the
NMU labs, as you are not the only student using the workstations – but if you have your own computer
at home, knowing how to do these tasks can be useful – they are briefly described in the orange blocks
below, but if you only work in NMU labs, you do not need to do these tasks.

 Exercise 1.2: Exploring the Desktop and other Windows


1. To start using a program with an icon on the desktop:
An icon is a small thumbnail on the desktop, usually listed in columns on the left
side of the window.
• Find the MS Word icon on your desktop and double-click on it.

A new window will appear, and the MS Word Icon will appear on your taskbar at the
bottom
• Click on the Blank Document icon to open a new word processing document

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 1

Note that the MS Word icon has now appeared in your Taskbar, shaded in a lighter
colour, with line appearing underneath it, to show that you have MS Word open on
your Desktop.
2. To Minimise & Maximise a Window:
• Look at the top-right of the MS Word window – you will see 3 tiny icons

OR
Point to each one with your mouse, but do NOT click – when you point at something, a
tiny yellow tool-tip will appear to tell you what the icon is for
• Click on the Minimise icon – your window will seem to have disappeared! Do Not
Panic!! It is still there, just hidden away to avoid clutter.
• To get it back, click on the MS Word icon in the Taskbar
• Your current MS Word window takes up the whole screen – click on the Restore Down
icon (the middle icon of the 3) to make your MS Word window smaller – note that the
middle icon has now changed
• Make your window take up the whole screen, by clicking on the middle Maximise icon

Note: The middle icon uses a toggle function – this means that the same thing switches
the function on and switches it off.
• Click the middle icon until you are in Restore Down mode – i.e. the window is smaller
than the whole screen.
3. To Move a window:
When you are working on your desktop, with multiple windows open, you may want to move
your open, restored down windows to different spots on the screen, so that you can see them
all more clearly.
• At the top of most windows is a Title Bar – use your mouse to point at the Title Bar of
your MS Word window and drag-and-drop your window to another position on your
screen

4. To Resize a window:
Point your mouse at any edge or corner of the Word window until you see a double-pointed arrow –
drag-and-drop this arrow up and down or left and right to change the size of the window.

5. To Close a window:
• Click on the eXit icon in the top right of a window to close it – close the Word Window.
Note: When you are working with documents, make sure that you SAVE your work before you eXit
the window!!

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 1

For HOME use ONLY


It is very useful to have the icons of regularly used apps available on your Taskbar

You can see from the above example, that certain apps are available (pinned) even though they
are not open.
To pin an icon to your Taskbar for use in future work sessions:
1. Open the app – e.g. File Explorer – the icon will appear in the taskbar
2. Right-click on the icon and click on Pin to taskbar in the Shortcut Menu –
close the app (X in top right-hand corner of the window) and you will see that
the icon remains on the Taskbar
In future, when you switch on your computer, the icon will be on the Taskbar, not underlined,
and you can just click on it to open the app.
3. To remove an icon from the Taskbar – right-click and select Unpin from taskbar on the
Shortcut Menu
Signing out of the Network
You MUST sign out of the network at the end of each session in the computer lab – NEVER click on
SHUT DOWN on the workstations in the Labs!!!

 Exercise 1.3: Signing Out


6. Save your work if necessary, close or exit from any
programs that are open and return to the main Windows 10
Desktop window.
Make sure all windows that you have opened during your
session have been closed and are not merely minimised
(check that the Taskbar at the bottom of the screen contains
only the Start button and the default items – none of the
programs you have opened).
7. Click the Start button, and click on the Mandela icon on
the left, then click on Sign out
8. Before you leave, please make sure you have packed your
student card, memory stick and other belongings into your
bag. It is your responsibility to endure that the area you
use in the laboratory is left neat and clean so please
push in your chair & take any rubbish with you!
NEVER power-off or shut down the computer or screen in
the computer labs.

For HOME use ONLY


When you end a session using your laptop, you should Shut Down and not just close
the laptop or put it to Sleep. The Shut Down process provides additional security,
especially if you are going to be carrying your laptop around.
Click the Start button (or Ctrl-Alt-Del), click on the power icon and then click on Shut
Down. Leave the computer open until everything is off and then close the lid.
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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 2

2. Windows & Applications


Each program (app) or file that you open on your screen, is contained in its own window. You need
to learn how to start, close and navigate around the various windows you may be using.
In this lesson you will learn to:
• find and start apps
• navigating between windows
• view multiple windows simultaneously
• use the Taskbar shortcut menu
• close windows and apps

A. Finding & Starting Apps


There are multiple ways of finding & starting different apps (programs) – using icons on your desktop
or taskbar is the quickest method. However, you may not have icons for all your apps and would need
to search for them.
Note: You cannot add or remove icons from the desktop or taskbar in any of the computer laboratories
at NMU – these are set by the system administrators only and all the apps you need to use for your
course(s) should be displayed on the desktop. However, adding icons to your own laptop, will be useful
for quick access.
Quick Access
To start an app when you first sign in, double-click on the appropriate icon on the desktop (or pinned
icon on your Taskbar.

 Exercise 2.1: Start an App from the desktop or taskbar


1. Double-click on the File Explorer icon on your desktop
2. Leave the File Explorer window open as you will be using it in a later exercise.

Searching for Apps without an icon


This is mainly for HOME use, as all the apps you need for this module, are on the Dept CS desktops
in the labs. However, if you cannot find the icon you are looking for in the labs, this approach can be
useful.

 Exercise 2.2: Start an App using


Search
You will be searching for the MS Word app (you
have already learned how to open it from the
desktop in Exercise 1.1 above.
3. Click on the Search icon which can be
found on the left of your Taskbar

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 2

4. Type word in the text-box provided

5. All items with word in their name, will appear on the left – you want to start the MS Word
app, so you either double-click on shaded blue box or single-click on the blue Open text.
The MS Word window will open.
6. Open a Blank Document in the MS Word window, for use in the next exercise

B. Navigating between Open Windows


All different apps and different files within the same app, open in their own windows so that you can
work with multiple documents at the same time.
Tips – Terms Used (terminology)
Default Refers to a pre-selected option or setting used by a computer program
Tab The word TAB in English can mean a number of different things, depending on the context of use. With
reference to the computer environment, one of the meanings of Tab is a small flap sticking out of a
Ribbon of tools, e.g. the Home tab or Layout tab,

OR a dialog-box with more than one group of settings

A different use of the word Tab, using the Tab key on the keyboard, is explained in a later section.
Dialog-Box: A shortcut window within an app, where you can select settings related to the text or object that you
are currently working on
Shortcut Menu: A shortcut, system-provided menu that appears when the user right-clicks a program in the taskbar
or on the Start menu. It is used to provide quick access to recently or frequently-used documents and
offer direct links to app functionality.
Key When this term is used, it refers to a button on your keyboard (NOT on the screen)

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 2

Combination-Key(s): You use two or more keys to achieve a particular task. Combination keys are also called
shortcut keys because it is usually quicker to perform a task this way, rather than selecting options on
the tool ribbons, to do the same thing. When you use a combination of keys:
i. you hold down the modifier key(s) (e.g. Shift, Ctrl and/or Alt)
ii. then tap the other key, and
iii. then release the modifier key(s).
Combination keys are indicated using the + sign (you do not type the + sign) – e.g. Shift+A will type
the capital letter A; Shift+7 will type the symbol & (the special character above the number 7 key)

Opening Multiple Windows


Using the pointing tool in taskbar to view different open windows
a) You can have more than one file open at any given moment and switch between open file by
clicking on the relevant thumbnail that appears when you hover (i.e. just point, no click) the
mouse pointer over the correct program icon on the taskbar.

b) Remember that it is possible to display two files vertically or horizontally on your screen, so that
you can view the task and the instructions at the same time – instructions on how to do this are
in Task 7 below.

c) Read the instructions for your practical tasks carefully step by step and do the instructions step
by step. Note that if you skip an instruction or do any instructions out of order, it could
easily ruin your whole prac and you may have to start again!
When you are doing your practical tasks, you will need the 3 documents open:
a) Weekly Guide – to read what you need to do each week
b) Learning Material – to learn how to do your tasks
c) The relevant application software – depending on what kind of task you are doing; e.g. MS Word
When you are working, it would be useful to see at least 2 of these documents (probably b & c above)
at the same time – i.e. tile the windows on your screen.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 2

 Exercise 2.3: Working with Multiple Windows at the same time


Note: You should have File Explorer and MS Word open on your desktop.
7. Click on the File Explorer icon in your taskbar, to bring that window forward.
8. To locate a file using File Explorer:
a) On the left, click on the Shared Drive folder (as specified for your campus) and then on
the right, double-click on 2024 Digital Literacy Modules folder.
b) Double-click the TM1 - Fundamentals folder to open it and then double-click the Practice
Documents folder to open
9. To open a file in the relevant app from File Explorer (3rd method of opening an app):
a) Double-click on the file Gqeberha.pdf document on the right, to
open the document in the Adobe Reader app
Do NOT minimise this new window – you should have 3 apps
open (underlined) on the taskbar.
10. To move quickly between open windows using Alt-Tab:
For use when you want to reference multiple open windows.
a) Press the combination keys (see Tips above) Alt-Tab

A list of all open items appears on your desktop – note that this is not necessarily in the
order shown above.
b) Click on the file window you want to access – other than the window that you can at the
moment – if you have just opened the FCS document (step 9) then click on the File
Explorer window in the list and File Explorer will appear in front.
11. Close File Explorer – tip: click on the File Explorer icon on the taskbar to show the window
if it is hidden
You should have 2 windows open – MS Word and Adobe Reader.
12. To tile windows to seem both windows at the same time:
a) Right-click in an empty space in the taskbar – a Shortcut menu appears
b) Click on Show windows side by side

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 2

c) Click anywhere within each window to move from one to the other
13. To Return to the desktop, while keeping all the windows open
a) Right-click in an empty space in the taskbar to see the Shortcut Menu again and click on
Show the desktop (any open windows will automatically be minimised)
Note the underlined taskbar icons indicate the which apps you have at least open with at
least one window.
14. Open the 37 things to do in Port Elizabeth.pdf from the Shared drive (refer to tasks 8 & 9
above)
15. Alt-Tab back to File Explorer
16. To find an open document via the Taskbar:
For example: if you look carefully, you will see that there are Adobe Reader icons on your
taskbar, one behind the other – you want to select only one of them to look at.

a) Point your mouse pointer at the Adobe Reader icon – i.e. hover the mouse-point over
the icon but do not click

Two thumbnails (small representations of a document) appear in a Shortcut Menu.


b) Click on the thumbnail that shows the FCS Windows & File Management document

C. Creating & Saving an Image of your Screen

You might be required to take snapshots of your screen (also called screenshots or screen captures)
and save the images in your Submissions (S: drive) folder. A handy program to do this with is called
the snipping tool.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 2

 Exercise 2.4: Creating a Screenshot (Snip)


17. Use the taskbar shortcut menu to display all open windows side by side – you should have
at least 4 open windows
18. Search for and then open the Snip – see Exercise 2.2

Note that you can select an immediate screenshot or a screenshot to activate a number
of seconds (3 or 10) to allow you to select what you want to take a screenshot of.
19. To take a Screenshot:
a) Click on the New button – the screen view is shaded grey with the following shortcut list

Point your mouse pointer at each icon in turn to see the tool tips (a small tip that appears
on the screen) but do NOT click yet.
• Rectangular Clip – to select a rectangular section of your screen be dragging the
mouse pointer from a specific point, to a point diagonally opposite
• Freeform Clip – use the mouse to draw a line around the section required
• Fullscreen Clip – select this option to take a picture of everything on your screen
• Close – cancel the request
b) Select the Rectangular Clip
c) Drag-and-Drop the mouse pointer from the top left corner of your screen, to approximately
half-way down on the right side of your screen – the top of the display should show within
the block – make sure that your username is visible on your snapshot

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 2

Tip: If you make a mess of your first screenshot – just start from a) again and your
screenshot will automatically replace the previous screenshot.
d) Click on the Save icon

You see a screen very similar to File Explorer


e) On the left, click on YOUR Submissions folder – the right Content pane should be blank
Note: Do not create a folder in your Submissions folder yet – you will only do this in Week
01.
f) To save your snapshot in your Submissions folder (S:\) as Screen-student number.png,
type the File Name

E.g. Screen-223123456.png, where 223123456 is replaced by YOUR student number,


without the username’s s in front – follow the instructions below on how and where to
save documents.

If the Save as type is not PNG, click on the down-arrow on the right and select the PNG
file type.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 2

Tip – Activating your Submissions Folder


If you do not see your SUBMISSIONS drive (this particular option
only available on South campus unfortunately – contact your module
Admin person if you are not on South):
• Click on your student number at the top on the right of your
desktop.
• Click on the check-box marked S: at the bottom of the shortcut
window.
• Click on the X on the top right-hand corner of the shortcut
window to close it.
If you still do not see your S: drive, please take your student-card to
one of the technical people in the offices behind Lab 5 and ask the
person to create an S: drive for you.

D. Closing Windows & Apps


When you have finished your session, you need to close all the apps that you have open. For regular
apps, you eXit by clicking on the (X) in the top right-hand corner of the window (you learned this in
Exercise 1.2 above). BUT, when you need to sign in to particular apps – e.g. iLearn Moodle & SMark
– you should sign OUT as well and not just close (x) the browser – this is very important to maintain
security, especially if you are not working at home.

 Exercise 2.5: Close all Apps


20. To Close All Open Windows:
a) Right-click on each Taskbar icon that is underlined and click on Close all windows.
Always do this BEFORE you sign out at the end of a session – it could help you make sure
that you have actually saved your work!

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

3. File Management
File Management is about keeping your work organised. It is vitally important that you name all files
and folders appropriately – not just for this module, but for your future as well. There is no point
spending a lot of time on the content and then not being able to find the file when you need it.
For this module, you can easily get ZERO for tasks you need to do for weekly practicals AND
TESTS, if you do not know this section 100%.
In this lesson you will learn to:
• use File Explorer
• identify various storage spaces
• organise storage spaces using folders & subfolders
• manage files: moving, copying, renaming & deleting
• open files from File Explorer
• search for files in File Explorer
• read the properties of files
• compress files for sharing purposes over the Intranet or Internet
• backup your data on One Drive

A. Introduction to File Management

When you work in a computer app you create files containing information. This information can be in
the form of text, numbers, drawings or pictures. While working on a file, the information is saved in the
Random Access Memory (RAM) of the computer. This memory is volatile, which means that if the
computer shuts down for whatever reason, any unsaved work will be lost. It is good practice to save
your work on a regular basis, i.e. every 5 to 10 minutes.
In order to save a file, a computer will need the following information:
• Drive where file should be saved
• Folder or subfolder where file should be saved
• A descriptive Filename
• A filename Extension

Storage Media:
A computer can make use of various types of storage media:
1. Hard Drive: A computer must have a built-in hard drive, typically referred to as the C-drive.
This drive will contain the operating system (without which the computer cannot work),
applications or programs and any stored files. The following icon depicts the hard drive on a
computer:

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

2. Removable Storage devices: USB drives can be plugged into a computer via a USB port.
This can include a Flash Drive or an External Hard Drive. An icon similar to the one below will
display when a device is connected via a USB port.

3. Network Storage: Institutions can make storage available on a server. The server can be
located within a local area, referred to as Local Area Network (LAN), or be located in a different
city, referred to as a Wide Area Network (WAN). A network drive is indicated by a hard drive
connected to a network cable, as seen below.

4. Cloud Storage: Cloud storage is located somewhere in the world. Access to this storage is
obtained via the Internet. At NMU students will have access to OneDrive as their primary
storage space.

Students are not allowed to save files on the C-drive of computers in the laboratories.
For this course, students will also be expected to save files in the Submissions folder.

Organising your storage space:


Folders are storage areas where you group related files. Folders must have unique
names, indicating what type of information they contain.
A folder can contain subfolders (folders within a folder) to further organise the content.
Filenames must be descriptive and unique. A filename can contain up to 259 characters.

Characters to avoid in filenames or folder names:


• #
• %
• &
• {
• }
• \
• <
• >

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

Filename Extensions are automatically assigned to a file by the application that is used to create the
file. The extensions tells the computer which application created or can open the file and which icon
to use for the file.

Warning: DO NOT change a file extension unless you have a specific reason to do so.

File Paths specify the location of a file in a computer’s file system. File paths are used to locate files.
A standard path can consist of three components:

1. A drive letter followed by the colon (:) separator.


2. A folder name followed by a directory separator. The backslash character is used: \
3. A filename. The directory separator (\) is used to separate the filename from the file path. A
filename will include a file extension.

Example of a file path:

C:\Documents\Newsletters\Summer2024.docx

In the example, find:

C: Drive letter followed by the colon separator


\ Backslash, separating folders and sub-folders
Documents\ Name of the folder
Newsletters\ Name of a sub-folder
Summer2024 Filename
. Full stop separator used to separate filename from the filename extension
docx Filename Extension

A file path is also referred to as a file address.

File Explorer

To keep track of files on your computer, the File Explorer tool is used.

Your screen may look different from the screenshots that follow, depending on which campus you are
working on or if you are using your personal device.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

When you are in the NMU labs you should have access to at least the following storage spaces.

Take a moment to read the following:


Storage space / Brief description Purpose
drive
C: Local storage on the specific Used for storing computer programs.
computer Not for student use!
L: North Storage on remote server. Shared folder – where we make files
F: George Only read access. available to you under 2024 Digital
Literacy Modules.
F: South
G: 2nd Ave
O: Storage on remote server Personal storage for any files
S: Storage on remote server SUBMISSIONS folder – storage space
only for files linked to this module

Any files you create for this module must be saved using a specific, prescribed folder structure in your
SUBMISSIONS folder (S:). Your weekly guides will indicate where these files should be saved.

For HOME use ONLY


If you are working at home, we recommend that you duplicate your SUBMISSIONS folder on
your local hard-drive, which is usually allocated the Drive letter C:\. Do all these tasks, changing
wherever the tasks refer to the S: drive to your C: drive. Once you have completed all the tasks
in the Learning & Application Guides, you should activate the VPN and mapping to your S: drive
and copy the files across to the required folder OR copy your work to a USB flash drive (memory
stick) and copy the files to your S: drive folder when you are on campus. See A20 & A21 docs
in Additional General Material in the Module Documents block in iLearn Moodle.
Warning: These tasks can only be accomplished using the Windows operating system, so if
you have an Apple Mac, you will need to do your work on campus.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

B. File Explorer Window


Learn the different parts of the File Explorer window so that you learn to use this app 100% before
continuing with other practical work for the module.

 Exercise 3.1: Navigating the File Explorer Window


1. Open File Explorer and re-size the window so that it takes up half of your screen – with this
document taking up the other half – i.e. side by side

The Navigation Pane on the left shows you all the drives connected to your workstation
(Computer); the pane on the right-hand side of the window shows the contents of whatever
drive or folder you click on (open) in the Navigation Pane – more folders maybe and any files.
Files are only shown in the Content Pane on the right along with any folders within the item
open in the Navigation Pane.
2. On the left side of the window you will see the words This PC. It is automatically expanded
to show you more detail on the drives connected to your computer. The left side might not be
wide enough for all the text. You can change that by dragging the bar between the two
sides more to the right – move your mouse over the bar until it changes to a double-
sided arrow, then drag and drop it to the right using your left mouse button.

Click on the View ribbon tab at the top of the window and then click on the check-box for File
name extensions, to ensure that you always see the file extensions in your File Explorer
Content Pane.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

C. Various Storage Areas


Access the two main storage areas used in this module: SHARED & SUBMISSIONS folders – the
SHARED folder is where your lecturers place information for you to use – you CANNOT change or
save

 Exercise 3.2: Accessing the Storage areas


3. Check the various storage areas available on your computer. Note that it will be different
from the screenshot below, depending on which campus you are on.

4. In the right side of the window, you need to select the TM1 – Fundamentals folder. When
you double-click on a folder, it opens and the contents of the folder are displayed in the
right side of the window. If you open the TM1 - Fundamentals folder, you will get the
contents as displayed below:

The folder TM1 – Fundamentals, contains a sub-folder called: Week 2 – Practice


Documents.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

• Double-click on the Week 2 – Practice Documents folder. When you have opened the
folder(s) you are looking for, you can double-click on the file you want to open.

5. Your SUBMISSIONS folder is on the S: drive (all campuses). Find it in the Navigation Pane
and click on it. (Tip: If you do not see any drives in the Navigation Pane, double-click This
PC to expand it.)
If you have successfully completed the Snip task (see Exercise 2.4), you should have one
file in your S drive – Screen-<student number>.png.

D. Using Folders & Managing Files


Even though the physical storage space on the hard drive is actually controlled by the Operating
System, as the USER, you can set up the logical display of the storage space content, to help you
organise and find the files you need to use for various tasks.

 Exercise 3.3: How to Manage a Storage Space


VERY NB: Type names EXACTLY as specified – do not add spaces or leave out characters
6. To Copy a Folder:
Copy the TM1 - Fundamentals folder in your COURSES folder) to the root of your
SUBMISSION folder (S:\)
i. Click on the Shared Drive (use the drive letter assigned to your campus) in the
Navigation Pane
ii. Find the 2024 Digital Literacy Modules folder in the list in the pane on the right, and
double-click that folder to open it
iii. Double-click the 2024 Digital Literacy Modules folder.
iv. Right-click the TM1 - Fundamentals folder, and click Copy (Do not open the folder
by double clicking it)

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

Now that you’ve selected the Copy command, you need to find the DESTINATION folder
where you want to copy the folder to, and select the Paste command
v. Click on the S: drive in the Navigation Pane to open your SUBMISSION folder
vi. Since you want to copy the folder to the root of your S: drive, you can right-click on
any open space in the Content Pane on the right (do not click on any files or folders),
and then select Paste
To see what the folder structure of your S: drive looks like, move your mouse to the
Navigation Pane and then expand the folder structure by clicking on the arrow to the
left of your S: drive

7. To Create a folder
Create a folder called Prac 01 in the root of your SUBMISSIONS folder
i. Click on the S: drive in the Navigation Pane to open your SUBMISSION folder
ii. Select New Folder on the Quick Access Toolbar
iii. A new folder has been created for you and shows in
the list of files on the right, with a default name New
Folder. Change the name to Prac 01 by typing in the
box while New Folder is selected and then press ENTER.
Alternative methods are to use the New Folder icon on the FILE ribbon tab or to right-click in
the Content Pane, select New and then Folder.

8. To Copy a file
Copy the Gqeberha.pdf file from the S:\TM1-Fundamentals folder to the S:\Prac 01 folder
i. Open the S:\April folder by clicking on it in the Navigation Pane
ii. Right-click the Gqeberha.pdf file and select Copy from the shortcut menu
iii. Open the S:\Prac 01 folder by clicking on it in the Navigation Pane
iv. Now that the Prac 01 folder is open, you can right-click on any open space in the pane
on the right and select Paste
You should now have 2 copies of the Gqeberha file – 1 in the TM 1 - Fundamentals folder
and one in the Prac 01 folder.
Alternative methods are to select (click on) the item you want to copy in the Content Pane,
click on the Copy icon on the FILE ribbon tab and then click open the Content Pane where
you want the copy to be and click the Paste icon on the FILE ribbon tab or to right-click on
the item to be copied and select Copy from the shortcut menu, then right-click in the Content
Pane where you want the copy to be and select Paste from the shortcut menu.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

9. To Move files
Move the 2 files, Ex B-1.xlsx and Positive thinking makes a difference.docx from the
S:\TM1 - Fundamentals folder to the S:\Prac 01 folder
i. Open the S:\TM1 - Fundamentals folder by clicking on it in the Navigation Pane
ii. You can select more than one file by holding in the Ctrl key on the keyboard while
clicking on files. Select the Ex B-1.xlsx file by clicking on it, and then, while holding
the Ctrl key, select the Positive thinking makes a difference.docx file. After you
selected the second file, you can let go of the Ctrl key.
iii. Right-click on one of the selected files and select Cut from the shortcut menu OR click
on CUT in the FILE ribbon tab

iv. Open the S:\Prac 01 folder by selecting it in the Navigation Pane


v. Now that the Prac 01 folder is open, you can right-click on any open space in the pane
on the right and select Paste
You have moved the two files and there should only be 1 copy of them in the Prac 01 folder.
These two files should not be in the TM1-Fundamentals folder anymore.

10. Create the folder Prac 01\Fool in your SUBMISSIONS folder – remember what the
backslashes mean – Fool should be a subfolder of Prac 01. Refer back to task 9 above.
Remember – If you want to see the subfolders of the Prac 01 folder, click on the arrow to
the left of Prac 01 in the Navigation Pane.

11. Copy the Screen-studentnumber.png from the root of your SUBMISSIONS folder to this
new folder – make sure that you copy the file, do not move it. You should still have a
copy of the file in the root of your SUBMISSIONS folder.

12. To FIND files (Search)


i. Click on the S: drive
ii. In the Search box in the top right-hand corner of your window, search for anything that
has Port Elizabeth in the file name - *Port Elizabeth*.*
iii. Check the list. To open the file, all you need to do is double-click on it. Close the file
by clicking on the x top right and you will return to File Explorer.
iv. Note the information available for the file(s) found. You can see the size (how many
KB) the type of file(s) and the date & time the file was last created.
v. To restore your right-hand pane to what was showing before, delete the text in the
Search box.

13. To Rename a file


Rename the file 37 things to do in Port Elizabeth in the S:\TM1 - Fundamentals folder to
What to do in Gqeberha.doc
i. Open the S:\TM1 - Fundaments folder by clicking on it in the Navigation Pane
ii. Right-click the file 37 things to do in Port Elizabeth and select Rename from the
shortcut menu.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

iii. The current filename (excluding the extension) should be selected, so just type the
new filename, What to do in Gqeberha and then press ENTER. Make sure you did
not change the file extension before pressing ENTER.

14. To Rename a folder


Rename the folder S:\Week 2 – Practice Documents to Old Stuff
i. Click on the S: drive in the Navigation Pane to open your SUBMISSION folder
ii. Right-click the Week 2 – Practice Documents folder and select RENAME from the
shortcut menu
iii. The current name of the folder should be selected, so just type the new filename, Old
Stuff and then press ENTER

15. To Delete a folder


Delete the S:\Old Stuff folder
i. Click on the S: drive in the Navigation Pane to open your SUBMISSION folder
ii. Right-click the Old Stuff folder and select DELETE from the shortcut menu
iii. Follow the prompts. You wish to delete the Old Stuff folder and all its contents

16. To Delete files


Delete all the files in the PRAC 01 folder – i.e. NOT any folders within the PRAC 01 folder
Open the S:\Prac 01 folder by clicking on it in the Navigation Pane
i. Select one of the files in the Prac 01 folder, and then select the other by clicking on
them while holding the Ctrl key
ii. Right-click on one of the selected files and select DELETE
iii. Follow the prompts

E. Searching for Files, Folders


Sometimes, one is not sure exactly WHAT the file or folder name is or exactly WHERE it is. Learn how
to perform searches within File Explorer to help you save time manually searching for the file or folder
that you need.
You do not need to type the exact name, just a part of the name and use wild-card characters to
represent the other characters in the name you are searching for:
• * - the asterisk (Shift-8) represents ANY NUMBER (this includes zero) of characters that can
be anything – see task 14 in Exercise 3.3 above and the following examples:
Class* Starts with the characters Class and ends with anything
*Class Ends with the characters Class and starts with anything
*Class* Contains the characters Class with anything before and after
• ? – the question mark represents ONE character that can be anything

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

 Exercise 3.4: Searching for a File or Folder


17. To search for a folder that starts with the text: We
a) In the Navigation Pane, click on the Shared folder for your campus
b) Above the Content Pane, on the right-hand side, click in the text-box that contains greyed-
out text Search Courses …
c) Type WE* and press enter
Look bottom left in the status bar: you will see how many items that start with the
characters WE, with anything after, are found.

18. To search for a file – e.g. all 2024 Digital Literacy Module files with a .pdf extension
a) Double-click on the 2024 Digital Literacy Modules folder in the Content Pane
b) Above the Content Pane, on the right-hand side, click in the text-box that contains greyed-
out text Search .
c) Type *.pdf and press enter
Look bottom left in the status bar: – you should get 4 files.

F. File Properties
Sometimes it is necessary to explore when (date) a file was created and by whom, or even when or by
whom a file has been edited.

 Exercise 3.5: Investigating the Properties of Files


19. To investigate File Properties
Properties and tags can be viewed from File Explorer. Right click on any file in your S: drive,
select Properties (click on the Details tab) and see if you can determine aspects such as the
following: File Author, and when the file was created.
a) Right-click on the copied version of the Positive thinking makes a difference.docx
Select Properties from the shortcut menu
b) Write down the name of the Author, the date the content was initially created, the size
and the file path of the copied version of the file.
c) Close the Properties window

G. Downloading / Uploading Files from / to the Internet


When you click on a file in iLearn Moodle, the file will usually open in its own window. It is not necessary
to download these files to your own storage spaces as you can work through them (reading and / or
doing tasks) from your browser.
It is very important to note, that if you do download files from Moodle, you must still check each time
you work on them, that you do actually have the latest version, as updates can be made at any time.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

Download a file from iLearn Moodle


While the learning and task files you use for this module can be accessed over the Internet from iLearn
Moodle, you may prefer to have a copy of these in your S:\Module Code folder.
When you download a single file, all you need to do is specify where the downloaded file should be
saved – NEVER just save these files in the default Downloads folder – always change the location to
the location specified in you study material or to a folder that you have set up for this purpose.

 Exercise 3.6: Downloading a File from the Internet (e.g. iLearn Moodle)
20. To Download a file from the Internet:
a) On your Moodle site, double-click to open the study guide for your module.

b) Click on the download icon (circled in red in the picture above) and choose to save this
file in the S:\Prac 01 folder

Download multiple iLearn Moodle Files & UnZip (Extract)


File compression is the process of reducing the size of one or more files by applying data compression
techniques. These techniques involve scanning for repetitive data patterns and replacing them with
unique identifiers that take up less space. A commonly used method for this is the ZIP.
When you download a number of files from iLearn Moodle, the system ZIPS these files to compress
the download size.
Once you have the ZIP in YOUR S: folder, you need to extract (un-compress) them so that you can
use them 1 at a time more easily.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

 Exercise 3.7: Creating and Extracting a ZIP File


21. Creating a Zip file:
a) Go to 2024 Digital Literacy Modules on your Shared Drive.
b) Copy the folder: Week 2 – Search to your Submission folder if it does not already exist
there.
c) Double-click the folder, Week 2-Search on your S-drive.
d) Select the files that are not placed in sub-folders.
Hint:
• Click on the first file: 2008 Novak no 3.docx.
• Press and hold the Shift key in.
• Click on the last file in the sequence: Word Cup Fifa Trophy.jpg
• All the files between the first and last file will be selected.
• Release the shift key.
e) Right-click inside of the highlighted area.

f) Select Send To from the shortcut menu.


g) Select Compressed (zipped) folder from the sub-menu.

h) The system will create a folder zipped folder:


Note: the name assigned to your zip folder could be different.
i) Move the zipped folder to: Prac 01

 22. Maximise your File Explorer window or open it again from your task-bar icon and expand
the S: folder in the Navigation Pane on the left, until you can see the Prac 01 folder in the
left pane and your downloaded .zip file on the right.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

Important:
While it is possible to view what a .zip file contains by clicking the file you have just downloaded
(it will open within File Explorer and show the ±19 files in the right Content Pane) – you should
always EXTRACT (UnZip) the zipped file before you actually use any content of a zipped file.

23. Click on the .zip file –a new Compressed Folder Tools contextual ribbon tab appears at the
top of the File Explorer window:

Another way of doing this is to right-click on the .zip file and select Extract All from the
shortcut menu.

24. Click on the Extract All tool and browse to your S:\Prac 01 folder

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

H. Backup Data
Computer hardware is not infallible and storage spaces are especially vulnerable to crashing. It is
therefore of huge importance that copies are maintained of all data. For example: Can you imagine if
the NMU ITS system, that holds all the data of students’ registrations, modules, marks, etc., crashes?
If NMU does not have a backup of all this data, all information about you is lost and without proof of
having passed all your modules, you may not be able to graduate when you expect to!
NMU does not keep a backup of student submissions, so you need to keep a backup of this data in
your ONE drive (O:), to ensure that you do not lose all your work. Make a copy of each set of Weekly
Tasks once you have completed them – i.e. each week.

 Exercise 3.8: Weekly Backup


Note that you do not do this task until you have completed all the Learning & Project
tasks for the week.
4. Copy the week’s folder from you SUBMISSIONS (S:) folder to your ONE DRIVE (O:) folder

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

4. Using E-mail software


A. Introduction to E-Mail

E-mail is the official communication channel of the NMU. Important information will be shared via the
Memo e-mails. Staff will also communicate with students via e-mail messages.

In this lesson you will learn to:


• Identify the benefits of e-mail
• Name the parts of an e-mail address
• Use e-mail software:
• Enter e-mail addresses in the To and Cc text boxes
• Find e-mail addresses in the internal address book
• Describe the purpose of each Outlook default folder
• Receive, view, and reply to e-mail messages
• Explain the difference between Reply and Reply to All options
• Forward an e-mail message
• Attach a file to a new e-mail message
• Explain the difference between informal and formal e-mails
• List the requirements for a formal e-mail

B. What is e-mail?

Electronic mail (email or e-mail) is a method of transmitting and receiving messages using electronic devices.
E-mail operates across computer networks. This includes the Internet and local area networks. An e-mail server
will accept, forward, deliver and store messages. This means that users do not need to be online at the same
time to send messages.

C. Benefits of e-mail:
1. E-mail is easy to use.
2. Information can be shared between users across the world.
3. Messages are delivered speedily.
4. Messages can be stored for reference purposes.

D. E-mail address:
In order to use e-mail, you must have a valid e-mail address and know the e-mail address of the intended
recipient.
Students at NMU will have an e-mail address containing the following elements:

[email protected]

The above address can be split into various parts:


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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

Part Name

s212345678 Username.

@ Symbol. Separates username from rest of address.

mandela Domain. Name of the e-mail server.

.ac Top-level domain. Indicates type of organisation.

.za Top-level domain. Indicates country extension.

Examples of domain indicators:

Indicator Meaning

.gov Restricted for government use.


Content reviewed for accuracy.

.edu (USA) Educational institutions or higher education.


.ac (SA) South Africa uses .ac for academic institution.
Content subject to review.

.org Organization.
Check the credibility.

.com Commercial content.


Can be used by anyone.
No content evaluation.

Please note that staff will only accept e-mails that are sent from your official NMU account. Staff will only
respond to professional e-mails. Refer to page 38 for an example.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

E. Use e-mail software


As part of the Microsoft Office Suite, the e-mail package, Outlook, is available.
The Mail window looks similar to the picture below:

Folders Pane

Reading Pane
Displays content of
selected e-mail message

Number of
unread e-
mails
Mail sorted and
grouped by date
received

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

Create a new e-mail message:


1. On the Home tab, go to the New group.
2. Click on: New E-mail.
3. An Untitled –Message window will open.

Enter recipient’s address


in To text box

Enter addresses of people who must


receive a copy in CC text box
Message
Header

Type subject of message in Subject


text box

Message Click the To button to open the


Address Book
Body

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

The various parts in the message window are used as described below:

To Box To send an e-mail to a recipient, you must enter their correct e mail address in
the To Box.
An e-mail can also be sent to multiple recipients. Simply add all the relevant
addresses to the To Box.
The Address Book will contain e-mail addresses as set up for the institution.
On a personal device you can add addresses that you use on a regular basis.

CC Box The acronym CC stands for Carbon Copy.


Add recipients to this box if they need to be aware of the communication but
do not need to take action.

Subject Type a short and meaningful subject line to the message. This alerts the
line recipient to what the message is about.

Message Type a concise and polite message.


body A message must contain:
1. A salutation
2. Message typed in paragraph format
3. Proper closing

4. Click the Send button when ready.

A recipient of a message will see the message header information first. The message header contains:
• Sender’s name
• Sender’s e-mail address
• Names and e-mail addresses of recipients and CC-recipients
• Date and time stamp
• Subject of the message.

Understand E-mail Folders

E-mail programs contain folders to help you organise and save your messages.

The following default folders are normally available:


1. Inbox
This is a mail folder that receives all incoming messages.
2. Drafts
If you want to complete a message later, save it to the drafts folder. Open the message from the drafts folder
when you are ready to continue.
3. Sent Items
A copy of all sent messages are stored in the Sent Items folder.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

4. Deleted Items
Deleted messages are placed in the Deleted Items folder. To permanently delete messages from the Deleted
Items folder, select the Empty Folder option in the Clean-Up group.
5. Junk E-mail
Junk e-mail or spam can be automatically filtered to the Junk e-mail folder.
6. Outbox
The Outbox is a temporary storage folder for messages that have not been sent. This is normally the case if you
have lost your connection to the Internet.
Receive and Reply to E-mails
When a message arrives in your Inbox, you can read the content in the preview pane. You can also respond to
the message from the preview pane, or click on the message to open it in a separate window.
Note that opening the message in a separate window will offer more functionality than when you read it in the
preview pane.
The message tab will display the following functions:

The Respond group offers the following functions:

Button Function

Reply Reply to the Sender of the message only

Reply All Reply to the Sender and ALL other recipients of the original message.
Use with extreme caution.

Forward Send the original message to a new recipient.

Note:
When you Reply to a message, the acronym RE: will be added to the Subject Line.
When you Forward a message, the acronym FW: will be added to the Subject Line.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

Attachments

A file can be attached to an e-mail message. To open an attachment, the recipient must have the software that
was used to create the attached file.

When composing a new message, go to the Include group and click on the Attach File button. Follow the steps
to select the correct file.

When the message arrives in the recipients Inbox, it will display as follows:

Paper Clip
indicates a file
attachment.

F. Formal and Informal Messages


When sending a message to a good friend or family members, the message will be regarded as informal.

When e-mailing a staff member at the university or colleagues and superiors in the workplace, the message
must be formal.
Apply the following practices when sending and receiving e-mails:
1. Be polite.
2. Use proper spelling and grammar.
3. Avoid sending large attachments.
4. Do not forward messages unless you have considered the content and privacy of the original sender.
5. Avoid shortcuts and emoticons.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Lesson 4

Example of a well-structured formal e-mail:

The above message contains the following elements:

1. Concise subject heading: Timetable Query


2. Salutation: Dear Mam/Dear Sir
3. Body of message:
a. States module code: BEU1001
b. Indicates campus: North
c. Problem:
i. What: Do we have a lecture?
ii. When: Wednesday @ 14:10
iii. Where: Lab R230
4. Closing: Kind regards
Name & Surname
Student Number

Also note that correct spelling and punctuation was used in the message.

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Projects

Projects
Check your module’s weekly Guides to find out which Projects you are required to do AND the file
specifications for creating, saving or opening.
Project 1. Submission Folder
Set up your Submissions folder (S: drive) to keep your work organized.
Note: Your S: folder may ONLY be used for your Computer module(s) and NOT for any other modules
or private data. Use your ONE drive for other data.
For HOME use ONLY
If you are working on your own computer, we recommend that you create a folder called C:\A
NMU – the A means that this folder will be at the top of your list and then do the tasks below in
your C:\A NMU folder – the only one that you will copy to the S: drive though, is the content of
the CF module code folder.
1. Open File Explorer from the icon on your task-bar (you should have pinned it there if you are working at
home).
2. Create the following folders – remember what \ means: the delimiter between folder names, indicated that
a folder is within another folder or drive:
• A folder named according to the computer module you are taking – i.e.
 S:\module code, e.g. S:\BEU1001
 Create the following sub-folder: Fundamentals
 Create the following sub-folders within the Fundamentals folder:
o Week 1
o Week 2
o Week 3
3. Move the Screen-studentnumber.png, that you created in Week 1, to the S:\module code\
Fundamentals\Week 1 folder.
4. Copy the extracted Additional Learning files (Exercise 3.7) from your S:\Prac 01 folder to the S:\module
code\Fundamentals\Week 2 folder.
5. Delete the S:\Prac 01 folder that you worked with in the Week 1 tasks. The only thing in the root of your
S: drive folder should be your Module Code folder.
6. Copy the Zip-folder created in Exercise 3.7 to S:\module code\Fundamentals\Week 3.
Note: Do not delete the .zip file – we will be checking that it is there when we check your tasks!
7. Find the .jpg file starting with Painting in your 2024 Digital Literacy Modules folder on the Shared drive
and copy it to the S:\module code\Fundamentals\Week 3 folder

NB: Use this file structure to keep all your files organised throughout the year – it will save you a lot of
time in the long run because you will be able to find your work quickly AND earn marks towards your
Class Work Mark (see the Module Guide)!

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Digital Literacy: Fundamentals Projects

Project 2. Compression
When you need to send a number of files or folders over the Internet, either via email or in an upload
for submission of tasks, you would need to ZIP these to reduce the size of the transport package or if
your bundle includes folders (you can only email files, not folders).
NB Note: Only ZIP files and / or folders for task submission, for example in iLearn Moodle, when you
are INSTRUCTED to do so in the task instructions.
1. Open File Explorer.
2. Copy theTM1 – Fundamentals\Project 2 folder from your Shared folder to your S:\module
code\Weekly Tasks\Week 01 File Management folder
3. Expand your Week 01 folder in the Navigation Pane and then click on the Project 2 folder in
the Navigation Pane, so that you see the content of the Project 2 folder in the folder in the
Content Pane.
Note: When you want to perform a task on the CONTENT of a folder, you must not select the
folder itself for the task – you click on the folder in the Navigation Pane and then select the
content in the Contents Pane in order to perform the task.
4. Use the Ctrl key to select all the content of the Project 2 folder in the Content Pane to select it
and select the ZIP tool in the SHARE ribbon tab.

Warning Message: One of the folders in the Additional Practice folder is empty and
you cannot zip an empty folder:

Click on the OK button and the zipping process should continue.


This should automatically create a file in the root of your Project 2 and allow you to type a name
for this Week file (similar to the Rename activity in your File Management lesson) – change the
name of your .zip file to Week01-studentnumber.zip – e.g. Week01-210123456.zip – your
student number.
5. Move your NEW .zip file to the ROOT of your S:\module code\Weekly Tasks\Week 01 File
Management folder.

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