Computer Literacy Skills

TOPICS
Basic Computer Operation
Log on and off the computer
Power on and off the computer
Open and close applications
Open, save and close files
Print documents
Identify parts of a computer
o Monitor
o Mouse
o Keyboard
Use/Adjust volume controls
Insert and eject media input devices
Troubleshoot common technology problems
o Printer
o Out of paper or toner
o Computer
o Power cords
o Network connections
o Peripheral connections
Using Word Processing
Start a new document
Save a document
Use icons and menus
Type or enter text
Complete a template or fill in a table
Select text and change
o Font size
o Font type
o Style or effects (bold, underline, etc.)
o Color
Cut, copy, and paste text
Use undo and redo icons
Select and resize graphics, pictures, clip art
Select multimedia clips
Create a new file using Save As
Use page setup and print preview
Print
Format text, lists, or paragraphs for
o Spacing
o Margins
o Tabs
o Bullets

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Numbered lists
Alignment (right, left, center, justify)
Indention
Poetic forms
Outlining
Columns
Text direction
Text art
o Word wrap
Use the spell check, grammar check, and thesaurus
Apply principles and elements of graphic design
Use find, change, and replace tools
Use tools to rotate, edit, or highlight text
Insert graphics and clip art
Insert text boxes
Create page borders
Create columns and tables
Use sort tool (ascending and descending)
Use number keys or number pad for mathematical functions
Insert and edit tables and table layout
(borders, shading, column width, etc.)
Insert animation
Insert sound
Insert spreadsheets, graphs, and charts
Insert formulas
Use print preview
Use word count tool
Insert page numbers
Manage headers and footers
Using and Creating Spreadsheets
Select a cell
Enter data into a cell
Format cells and data
o font size
o style
o color
o alignment
o decimal places
o Currency
o date/time
o percent
Create a basic chart or graph
Select multiple cells
Insert, delete, and format cells, rows, or columns
Format, move, and copy cells, rows, or
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columns
o Width
o height
o color
Manage headers and footers
Select appropriate graph and elements to display data
Use sort option (ascending and descending)
Use simple formulas such as sum and average/mean
Use editing tools such as fill down and fill across
Set print area and print spreadsheets and graphs
Insert charts and graphs into other documents
Apply principles and elements of data analysis
Create and use spreadsheets for assessment, productivity,
and problem solving
Create complex formulas such as median, mode, and
percentage
Use advanced graph features and elements to display data
Import or insert other digital elements into the spreadsheet
(graphics, movies, objects, etc.)
Use filter option
Use the hide and show options
Creating Multimedia Presentations
Apply pre-production organizational concepts (such as
storyboarding and visual organizers)
Open and close a presentation or presentation template
Save a presentation file
Create an original presentation or use a template
Rearrange slides using slide sorter or a storyboard feature
to organize a presentation
Choose a slide format
Use icons and menus
Type/enter text or create a text box
Change
o Font size
o Font type
o Style or effects (bold, underline, etc.)
o Color
Cut, copy, and paste text
Use undo and redo icons
Select and resize graphics, pictures, clip art
Select multimedia clips or sounds
Create a new file using Save As
Use page setup
Print
Use slide show tool
Select slide transitions and animations
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 Insert graphics, clip art, sounds, and multimedia files

(including narration)
Format text
o Double spacing
o Bullets
o Numbers
o Alignment
o Indention
o Outlining
o Columns
o Text direction
o Text art
Modify the background and layout of presentation slides
Use the spell check, grammar check, and thesaurus
Use find, change, and replace tools
Apply principles and elements of graphic design
Use tools to rotate, edit, or highlight text
Insert objects such as graphs, charts, and spreadsheets
Use print preview
Print audience handouts to support a multimedia presentation
Insert page/slide numbers
Manage headers and footers
Edit master slide(s)
Adjust presentation timing, action buttons, and looping
Import animations, sounds, and multimedia from other
files/applications (such as background music and visual
organizers)
Create presentations using navigation buttons and non-linear
design
Use function keys and keyboard shortcuts
Adjust page/slide views
Troubleshoot formatting problems -- use Help feature
Modify tool bars to reflect current use for tool(s)
Format text using
o Spacing
o Line spacing
o Margins
o Tabs
Using Internet
Email
Creating Email address
Read an email
Compose and send an email
Reply to a message
Delete an email
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Research
Open and close google chrome
Search the topic
Open sources given
Copy information (text, pictures, movies, etc)

A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

This document is intended to provide guidance as to what computer skills students should know
and be able to do independently at various levels
(basic, intermediate, proficient) with specific types of software applications to enable them to
access, manage, integrate, evaluate, create and
communicate information. These skills should not be taught in isolation but should be applied
when meeting learning outcomes in the content
areas.
Basic Foundational computer literacy skills
Intermediate Computer literacy and competency beyond the foundational level
Proficient Computer literacy and competency beyond the intermediate level applied in
educational and work settings.
It is not the intent of this document to identify the grade level that the skill should be taught, but
rather to define a skill set that a student would
have at the various levels. These levels may change depending on the software application. A
student could be intermediate in word processing
but basic in visual organizers. Throughout the standards, reference will be made to the level or
skill set a student would need to complete that
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standard. The coding can be found at the end of each category or in the Legend document.
When reference is made to a level, it means that the
skills the student will need would be found in that level, not that a students will necessarily need
every skill in that level. For example, if a task
were identified as SI or Spreadsheet Intermediate, it means that the task will require a skill found
in the intermediate skill set. The student
wouldnt need to know every skill in the intermediate skill set, but at least one of those skills
would be necessary to complete the task. It also
means that students wouldnt need any of the skills listed in a higher level, in this case the
Proficient level or SP. The coding always indicates the
highest level a student would need to meet the objective.
Because this document is specific to types of software applications, it does not address some
concepts important to educational technology such as
universal design and keyboarding. While not specifically addressing these concepts, they are
important enough that some statement should be
made about them. In some cases the concepts are addressed in greater detail in the standards.
The concepts of Universal Design for Learning should be incorporated when planning for the use
of technology in instruction. UDL concepts, when
applied to technology, include technology specifically designed to meet a specific learning
accommodation (such as text readers and board makers)
as well as common features of technology tools (such as the ability to increase font size) that
help all students learn. There is no specific category
for assistive technology tools because the need of an individual student will determine the need
for the technology.
Keyboarding is a foundational skill largely related to motor skills. Students should be able to
keyboard effectively in order to take full advantage of
computer technology, however, it is up to the individual school systems to determine the
appropriate age to begin keyboarding instruction. Issues
around keyboarding, such as proper posture when using a computer, are included in Standards 1
and 2.
Students are expected to use technology in an ethical manner including following their school
systems ethical use policies. Ethical use of
technology is further explained in Standard 2.
Design principles need to be taken into consideration when creating products. Design principles
are included in Standard 4 and 5.

Computer Literacy Skills

A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

Computer Use
Basic Intermediate Proficient
Log on and off the computer
Power on and off the computer
Open and close applications
Open, save and close files
Print documents
Identify parts of a computer
o Computer (CPU)
o Monitor
o Mouse/trackpad
o Keyboard
o CD/DVD drive
o Printer
o Headphones
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o Microphone
o Speakers
Use input device (e.g., mouse)
o Point
o Select/click or double click
o Click/select and hold
o Drag and drop
Move cursor
Type/enter letters and numbers
Recognize and use icons to perform
computer and software functions
Use special function keys
o Delete
o Shift
o Arrow keys
o Space
o Return/enter
Locate and retrieve files in various
directories
Save the same file in multiple locations
(flash drive, My Documents, network
folders)
Recognize and save files in various
formats (.bmp, .jpg, .pdf, .html, etc.)
Create folders to organize files
Rename files
Delete files
Select appropriate printer and print
Choose appropriate page setup features
Use multiple ways to accomplish the
same task including keyboard shortcuts,
icons and menus
Use input device (e.g., mouse)
o Select/right click
Use peripheral devices such as
scanners, digital cameras, and
projection devices
Multitask by using Task Bar and or
minimize/maximize command or icon
Use special function keys
o Page up/down
o Home/end
Troubleshoot common technology
problems
o Printer queue
o Not connected to the network
Attach and use peripheral devices such
as scanners, digital cameras, media
storage (e.g., flash drive), and
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projection devices
View file properties to determine
memory size
Locate and use accessibility features, as
needed
o Magnifier
o Sticky keys
Multitask in a variety of ways
Save a compressed file (.zip)
Computer Literacy Skills

A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

o Escape
o Backspace
o Multi-key functions (CTRL/Alt/Del)
o Caps Lock
Use/Adjust volume controls
Insert and eject media input devices
(CD/DVD)
Troubleshoot common technology
problems
o Printer
o Out of paper or toner
o Computer
o Power cords
o Network connections
o Peripheral connections
CUB = Computer Use Basic, CUI = Computer Use Intermediate, CUP = Computer Use Proficient

Computer Literacy Skills

A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

Using and Creating Databases

Basic Intermediate Proficient
Open an existing database file
Enter data in a content related
database using a database template or
form
Search for specific data/information by
field
Preview and print a datasheet
Edit data in existing database records
Modify database fields
Add and delete records
Create a new database from design
view, data view, or using a wizard
Define database fields in a record
Set field attributes
Manage headers and footers
Use the find and sort functions
Insert graphics/digital files, etc. into
field type
Use the show and hide functions
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 Create a query
Filter data
Generate a report of data gathered
from database sources
DB = Database Basic, DI = Database Intermediate, DP = Database Proficient

Using Digital Imaging Tools

Basic Intermediate Proficient
Use tools to create original images
Change image colors and patterns
Add text to describe an image
Save or download digital images to a
computer
Change the size or shape of an object
Change the pattern or color of an
object
Rotate and flip objects
Create original or edit existing images
Use the crop tool to cut or trim an
image
Use the attributes/properties options to
modify an image
Import a digital image into a document
or presentation
Insert, move, and resize an image in a
document or presentation
Use a scanner or digital camera to
generate an image
Recognize and save image files in
various formats (.bmp, .gif, .tif, .jpg,
.pdf, .html, etc.)
Adjust pixels and resolution of an image
to adjust quality and file size
Edit photos and images
Create and edit movies and animations
Computer Literacy Skills

A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

DIB = Digital Imaging Basic, DII = Digital Imaging Intermediate, DIP = Digital Imaging Proficient

Using Email
Basic Intermediate Proficient
Apply communication skills and
netiquette
Read an email
Compose and send an email
Reply to a message
Delete an email
Apply communication skills and
netiquette
Use reply all
Add an attachment
Save an attachment

 Use carbon copy

Apply communication skills and
netiquette
Create an address/distribution list
Use blind carbon copy
Organize emails into folders
EB = Email Basic, EI = Email Intermediate, EP = Email Proficient

Computer Literacy Skills

A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

Creating Multimedia Presentations

Basic Intermediate Proficient
Apply pre-production organizational
concepts (such as storyboarding and
visual organizers)
Open and close a presentation or
presentation template
Save a presentation file
Create an original presentation or use a
template
Rearrange slides using slide sorter or a
storyboard feature to organize a
presentation
Choose a slide format
Use icons and menus
Type/enter text or create a text box
Change
o Font size
o Font type
o Style or effects (bold, underline,
etc.)
o Color
Cut, copy, and paste text
Use undo and redo icons
Select and resize graphics, pictures, clip
art
Select multimedia clips or sounds
Create a new file using Save As
Use page setup
Print
Use slide show tool
Select slide transitions and animations
Insert graphics, clip art, sounds, and
multimedia files (including narration)
Format text
o Double spacing
o Bullets
o Numbers
o Alignment
o Indention
o Outlining
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o Columns
o Text direction
o Text art
Modify the background and layout of
presentation slides
Use the spell check, grammar check,
and thesaurus
Use find, change, and replace tools
Apply principles and elements of
graphic design
Use tools to rotate, edit, or highlight
text
Insert objects such as graphs, charts,
and spreadsheets
Insert hyperlinks
Use print preview
Print audience handouts to support a
multimedia presentation
Insert page/slide numbers
Manage headers and footers
Edit master slide(s)
Adjust presentation timing, action
buttons, and looping
Import animations, sounds, and
multimedia from other
files/applications (such as background
music and visual organizers)
Create presentations using navigation
buttons and non-linear design
Work in various modes/views (such as
outline, notes, and presentation)
Save presentations in other formats
(such as HTML)
Use function keys and keyboard
shortcuts
Adjust page/slide views
Troubleshoot formatting problems -use Help feature
Modify tool bars to reflect current use
for tool(s)
Format text using
o Spacing
o Line spacing
o Margins
o Tabs
PB = Presentation Basic, PI = Presentation Intermediate, PP = Presentation Proficient

Computer Literacy Skills

A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

Using and Creating Spreadsheets

Basic Intermediate Proficient
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 Select a cell
Enter data into a cell
Format cells and data
o font size
o style
o color
o alignment
o decimal places
o Currency
o date/time
o percent
Create a basic chart or graph
Select multiple cells
Insert, delete, and format cells, rows,
or columns
Format, move, and copy cells, rows, or
columns
o Width
o height
o color
Manage headers and footers
Select appropriate graph and elements
to display data
Use sort option (ascending and
descending)
Use simple formulas such as sum and
average/mean
Use editing tools such as fill down and
fill across
Set print area and print spreadsheets
and graphs
Insert charts and graphs into other
documents
Apply principles and elements of data
analysis
Create and use spreadsheets for
assessment, productivity, and problem
solving
Create complex formulas such as
median, mode, and percentage
Use advanced graph features and
elements to display data
Import or insert other digital elements
into the spreadsheet (graphics, movies,
objects, etc.)
Use filter option
Use the hide and show options
Save in other formats such as .html,
.pdf, etc.
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SB = Spreadsheets Basic, SI = Spreadsheets Intermediate, SP = Spreadsheets Proficient

Computer Literacy Skills

A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

Using and Creating Visual Organizers

Basic Intermediate Proficient
Apply organizational and outlining
principles to choose an organizer for a
given task
Add information to an existing visual
organizer (web, table, timeline, etc.)
Edit information on a visual organizer
(Web, timeline, etc.)
Use tools to create original visual
organizers
Select shapes or graphics to represent
ideas
Use the available text boxes or insert
text tool to label organizer components
Show relationships by adding or
modifying
o Color
o Shapes
o Links
o Size
o Sort
o Arrows
o Patterns
Apply organizational and outlining
principles to choose an organizer for a
given task
Create a visual organizer
Insert hyperlinks to Web sites or other
files
Use various modes to organize ideas,
such as picture-based, text-based, and
outlines
Import an image into a visual organizer
Insert sounds and multimedia files
(including narration) or use the text-tospeech
feature
Apply organizational and outlining
principles to choose an organizer for a
given task
Save image files in various formats
(.bmp, .gif, .tif, .jpg, .html, etc.)
VOB = Visual Organizers Basic, VOI = Visual Organizers Intermediate, VOP = Visual Organizers Proficient

Computer Literacy Skills

A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

Using and Creating Web pages

Basic Intermediate Proficient
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 Apply digital citizenship principles

Launch a Web browser
Point and click on a hyperlink
Locate and use bookmarks
Use basic navigation buttons
o Back
o Forward
o Home
o Refresh
o Stop
Use scrollbar and sidebars to navigate a
Web site
Create Web/hypertext links
Copy images or documents from a Web
site
Apply digital citizenship principles
Access a Web page from bookmarks or
by typing in the URL
Complete forms online including log in
information to subscription sites
Create bookmarks to organize browsed
pages
Understand the differences among the
domain names
o .com
o .gov
o .edu
o .org
Save or copy images or documents
from a Web site
Conduct a Web search
Create Web pages/documents
Apply digital citizenship principles
Refine Web searches using Boolean
operators
Use discussion boards
Use the History feature to access
recently visited sites
Create Web sites
WBB = Web Browser Basic, WBI = Web Browser Intermediate, WBP = Web Browser Proficient

Computer Literacy Skills

A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

Using Word Processing & Desktop Publishing

Basic Intermediate Proficient
Start a new document
Save a document
Use icons and menus
Type or enter text
Complete a template or fill in a table
Select text and change
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o Font size
o Font type
o Style or effects (bold,
underline, etc.)
o Color
Cut, copy, and paste text
Use undo and redo icons
Select and resize graphics, pictures, clip
art
Select multimedia clips
Create a new file using Save As
Use page setup and print preview
Print
Format text, lists, or paragraphs for
o Double spacing
o Bullets
o Numbered lists
o Alignment
o Indention
o Poetic forms
o Outlining
o Columns
o Text direction
o Text art
o Word wrap
Use the spell check, grammar check,
and thesaurus
Apply principles and elements of
graphic design
Use find, change, and replace tools
Use tools to rotate, edit, or highlight
text
Insert graphics and clip art
Insert text boxes
Create page borders
Insert hyperlinks to Web sites or other
files
Create columns and tables
Use sort tool (ascending and
descending)
Use number keys or number pad for
mathematical functions
Insert and edit tables and table layout
(borders, shading, column width, etc.)
Insert animation
Insert sound
Insert spreadsheets, graphs, and charts
Insert formulas
Save as another format such as RTF,
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PDF, or HTML
Use function keys and keyboard
shortcuts
Adjust page views
Troubleshoot formatting problems -use Help feature
Modify toolbars to reflect current use or
purpose for tool(s)
Use track changes and comments tools
Customize options and preferences in
specific software
Format text using
o Spacing
o Line spacing
o Justification
o Margins
o Tabs
Computer Literacy Skills
A Companion to the Maryland Technology Literacy Standards for Students

Use print preview

Use word count tool
Insert page numbers
Manage headers and footers
Use program-specific templates and
stationery
WPB = Word Processing Basic, WPI = Word Processing Intermediate, WPP = Word Processing Proficient

Learning Management Systems/Online Learning Communities

Participate as part of an online learning community -- (Communication Standard?)
Use a Learning Management System (Communication Standard?)
Advanced Computer Skills
Participate as part of an online learning community -- (Communication Standard?)
Use a Learning Management System (Communication Standard?)
Insert voice comments in word processing and desktop publishing documents
The following is a suggested implementation of computer literacy skills. The chart is
meant as a guide and is not intended to define in
which grades skills must be taught.
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PreK 2 This section identifies areas where students can extend their usage
Basic Intermediate Proficient

It is tempting to think that because you have used a computer for a long time, you are "computer literate" or
"computer savvy," but this is not the case. Here are 10 skills you absolutely must know to be considered
computer literate. If you already know these, you should be helping others learn them as well!

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1: Search engines
Using a search engine is more than typing in the address, putting a couple of keywords into the big text box,
clicking Search, and choosing the first result. While that may work, it won't give you the best results much of
the time. Learning the advanced search, Boolean operators, and how to discern good results from bad results
goes a long way toward enabling you to use a computer as a powerful research tool.

2: Word processing
Word processing is one of the oldest uses for a computer. And it continues to be extremely important, even
though in many ways its functions have been put into other applications. (For example, people may write more
emails than documents, but the task is nearly identical.) It is tough to claim to be computer literate if the basic
functions of word processing like spell check, table creation, and working with headers are outside your
capabilities.

3: Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets were the killer application that got a lot of people willing to pony up big bucks for a PC in the
early 1980s. Spreadsheets offer incredibly powerful analysis possibilities... if you know how to use them for
more than storing the holiday card address list. (Okay, I use Excel for that too.) Being able to use formulas,
references, and macros can turn a "grid of numbers" into actionable information in the hands of the right person.

4: Browser basics
It is almost painful to watch some "computer savvy" people operate a Web browser. The most obvious goof is
going to a search engine to type in the address of the site they want to go to. But folks are unaware of a lot of
other things they do that make the Internet more difficult than it needs to be. Mastering techniques like opening
links in new windows, using bookmarks, editing URLs to perform navigation, clearing the browser cache, and
understanding common error messages will give you access to a world of unlimited information instead of
keeping you stuck with only what Web site designers make obvious.

5: Virus/malware scanning
Much of typical computer maintenance is automated or unneeded at this point, but it is still essential to
understand how to check a system for nasty bugs, spyware, and other malicious applications. While the
scanning tools come with real-time monitors, something can still slip onto the system before the scanner has the
right filter for it. So it's critical to know how to trigger a manual virus/malware scan, as well as how to use
alternative systems, spot signs of an infection, and other similar tasks.

6: Common keyboard commands

If you do not know how to copy/paste without a mouse, you are not computer literate. Sorry! Every operating
system has some universal keyboard commands, and while knowing them won't add 30 minutes back into your
day, it will take a lot of the "friction" out of using a computer. Learning these commands is more a matter of
routine than anything else; a short tutorial done once a day for a week will probably be enough to put you in the
habit, and it will make you a happier user.
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7: Basic hardware terminology

It is tough to have someone help you with a problem when you tell them that your "hard drive" is unplugged,
when you really mean "the computer." There are a number of common hardware misunderstandings out there,
and while some are understandable (for instance, confusing a NIC with a modem the cables look similar and
they serve the same purpose, networking), knowing basic hardware terminology is a must-have skill to be a
savvy user.

8: Simple networking diagnosis

Networking problems create the most common trouble with most computers. While you don't need to be able to
program a Cisco router, you should know how to:

Determine your IP address

Verify physical connectivity to the network

Check that you have a logical connection to the network

Find out what path network traffic takes to get to its destination

Translate from DNS names to IP addresses

9: How to hook it up
Despite the color coding of connections and the fact that most cords can be plugged into only one hole, tons of
people still can't hook up a computer. It is tough to claim to be computer literate if you can't even get it hooked
up and turned on without some help.

10: Security/privacy 101

It is a dangerous world out there! You absolutely must know how to protect yourself from attackers on the
Internet and keep your personal data private. Everything from knowing to check a link before you click it to
verifying that encryption is being used to transmit sensitive data to researching sites before giving them your
personal data are all critical skills for the modern computer user. If you do not know how to keep yourself safe,
you need to learn how.

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