Infotech: English for Computer Users
Module 2

Unit 5. Type, click and talk!

1. Interacting with your computer

Read the description of input devices and then fill in the blanks with words from the text.

2. Describing input devices

Exercise A. Listen to a computer technician describing three input devices. Which devices is he talking about?

Exercise B. Listen again and complete these extracts.

3. Describing functions and features

Exercise A. Look at the HELP box and then use the notes below to write a description of the Sony PlayStation 3 controller.

Exercise B. Describe the functions and features of each of the diveces.

Bar code reader

Touchpad and portable PC

Webcam

Touch screen

4. The keyboard

Exercise A. Label the picture of a standard keyboard with the groups of keys. Memorize the definitions of each group of keys.

Exercise B. Match the descriptions with the names of the keys.

1. a. arrow keys
2. b. return/enter
3. c. Caps Lock
4. d. shift
5. e. tab
6. f. space bar
7. g. backspace
8. h. Ctrl

Exercise C. Write a short description for each group of keys.

  1. cursor kontrol keys

  2. alphanumeric keys

  3. function keys

  4. numeric keypad

  5. arrow keys

  6. return/enter key

  7. Caps Lock

  8. shift

  9. tab

  10. space bar

  11. backspace

  12. Ctrl

5. Mouse actions

Complete the text about the mouse with verbs from the box. Look up any unfmailiar words and expressions.

1. click
2. double-click
3. drag
4. grab
5. select
6. move
7. control

6. Speech recognition systems

Exercise A. Listen to an interview with Anne Simpson, an expert in voice input technologies and select the feaures she mentions.

  1. need a good sound card and a microphone
  2. can take dictation with accuracy
  3. allow you to create and compile a computer program
  4. allow you to execute programsand navigate around menus using voice commands
  5. allow you to serf the web using voice commands
  6. allow you to design grapics

Exercise B. Listen again and answer these questions.

  1. What do people usually use to communicate with a computer?

  2. How do you get the best results from speech recognition software?

  3. What rate of accuracy is possible with the software?

  4. How can you train the software to be more accurate?

  5. What kind of words are not in the software's dictionary?

Exercise C. Be able to discuss these questions.

  1. What are the benefits of speech recognition software?

  2. What kind of tasks would you find speech recognition software useful for?

  3. Who would benefit most from speech recognition technology??

  4. What is the future of this technology?

  5. Do you think it will be ever possible to control the computer with your thoughts?

Copyright ©. George Goce Mitrevski. mitrevski@pelister.org