Module 01 — Computer Fundamentals¶
Duration: 2–3 sessions Audience: All
The universal prerequisite. Every Second Boot participant starts here unless they test out.
Learning objectives¶
By the end of Module 01, a participant can:
- Identify the main hardware components of a laptop (screen, keyboard, trackpad, ports, charger)
- Power on, log in, lock, and shut down the device
- Navigate the Ubuntu desktop, taskbar, and application menu
- Create, rename, move, and delete files and folders
- Use keyboard shortcuts for copy, paste, undo, save
- Check for and install software updates
- Recognize when something is wrong and ask for help
Session breakdown¶
Session 1 — The device in front of you¶
- What is a computer? Tour the laptop physically
- Power on, log in (with a password set with the participant)
- Desktop tour: where things live, what icons mean
- Mouse / trackpad basics: click, double-click, right-click
- Open and close an application
- Lock the screen and unlock it
Session 2 — Files and typing¶
- Files vs. folders (analogy: paper, folder, filing cabinet)
- Creating a document in LibreOffice Writer
- Saving — where it goes, what to name it, how to find it later
- Typing practice (target: comfortable, not fast)
- Keyboard shortcuts: Ctrl+C, Ctrl+V, Ctrl+Z, Ctrl+S
- Renaming, moving, deleting files
Session 3 — Maintenance and self-rescue (optional, audience-dependent)¶
- Software updates: what they are, why they matter, how to run them
- The Software Center: finding and installing new apps
- "Something isn't working" — basic troubleshooting before calling for help
- Restarting cleanly vs. holding the power button
- Where the help desk lives (community chat, email, drop-in hours)
Hands-on assignment¶
By the end of Session 2 the participant should have:
- Created a personal folder on the desktop
- Created and saved a LibreOffice document inside it
- Closed and reopened that document
- Renamed the file
- Found it again the next session without help
Common adaptations¶
| Audience | Adjustment |
|---|---|
| Seniors | Slow pace; pair with Module 08; skip Session 3 |
| Youth | Compress Sessions 1–2; let typing be a competitive activity; lean into customization |
| Recovery / reentry | Same content, with extra time on password creation and account ownership — for many participants this is the first account that's really theirs |
| Tested-out | Brief skills check; let participants jump directly to Module 02 |
Assessment for award eligibility¶
A facilitator confirms (no written test):
- Can the participant log in independently?
- Can they open an app, do something, save, and close?
- Can they find the file they made last session?
If yes to all three, Module 01 is complete.