Practical Manual for Basic Computer

Application for Mass Media (vol.1)

This manual book details the basic elements, handling and uses of a computer system especially for the
benefits of first time users. It includes relevant examples and procedures pertinent to the field of mass
communications as well as enough examples from general computer application for beginners.

OLUBUKOLA FAKEYE
 CHAPTER 1

Familiarization With A Computer System (Hardware)

Introduction:

Knowledge of the parts of a computer is apposite for proper handling and usages, most especially
for first time users. A computer system, fondly referred to as a SYSTEM, as the name suggest, is
an entity of detachable parts (hardware) and peripherals connected together through appropriate
cables and ports for effective and efficient task handling. Any defect as a result of mishandling
or inappropriateness of cables and ports will result in breakdown or malfunction of the
SYSTEM. Thus, knowledge of the parts and their proper handling is prerequisite to using
computer for task handling in the fields of mass communication.

Objectives:

At the end of this chapter, the students:

a) would have learned about all the basic components of a computer system
b) should be able to categorize all the components
c) should be able to recognize pertinent peripherals and addenda usable with computer
system relevant to the fields of mass communication

Procedure:

Display the basic units of a computer system viz:

i. Input Unit: mouse, keyboard, mic, etc

ii. Processing Unit: CPU (open up a CPU)
iii. Output Unit: Visual Display Unit, projector, printer56

Task1. Identification of the components

Task2. Assemble the components and power the computer

Figure 1 keyboard

The commonest input device with numerals, letters and symbols that can be activated with
special keys – shift, Ctrl and F-keys. It is the primary input device usable with all forms of
computers. It is usually connected through USB cord, or through Bluetooth device.

It comprises four parts:

 i. Alpha-numeral part with alphabets, numbers, and control keys
ii. Navigation part with scroll keys, page down/up, delete, insert, home, end
iii. Numeric part with numbers and arithmetic symbols
iv. Function keys from F-1 to F-12

Figure 2 Mouse
Easy-to-use controller of the cursor, used to select, highlight, and move items in the computer. It
usually has three keys – left and right buttons, and scroll key. It is the commonest navigation
device usable with computers.

Figure 3 Microphone
It is used to send audio signals into the computer recorder software. It is the commonest device
to record voice over directly on the system with suitable application installed.
Figure 4 Central Processing Unit (CPU)
This is the actual computer. It houses the motherboard (the hub) on which all signals of the
computer are hoisted and coordinated through the Central Processing Unit. This is where the
device got its name – brain of the computer, from. Also inside it, are two main memories –
Random Access Memory (RAM) and Read Only Memory (ROM)

1.
Figure 5. RAM chips
Random Access Memory (RAM) is a short term memory of computer that handles operational
tasks while the system is active. The higher the RAM, the faster and smoother the operations of
the device (computer). RAM is the Unique Selling Point of certain deveices of Apple, Samsung,
and Tecno brands as functionalities of picture software, and a host of other applications on
which the brands pride themselves are all dependent on the volume and quality of inbuilt RAM.
RAM gives users fast access to information on the computer.
RAM comes in sizes of 2GB, 4GB, 8GB, 16GB etc. a generic computer system is built with two
RAM-compactments; either or the two are usable at the same time.

2.
Figure 6. ROM
ROM is a long term memory on the computer

Figure 7 Monitor
This is the screen that makes it possible that What You See Is What You Get (WYSIWYG) as
final result of task execution. It enables the users to view the process of commands and task
execution.
Figure 8 Projector

Projector is another option to Monitor that is used for group viewership. It is a portable
(adjustable) wide screen attached to a computer, used to address large group of audience like this
class, in an enclosed mildly dark room – to achieve sharpness/crispness.

Figure 9 Digital Desktop Printer

For printing hard copies of the task results

Task2: i. Students to connect the basic components with appropriate cables into a
unit (compute system). Then comparison is made between the all-in-one
system and the generic desktop computer system
ii. Students to categorize the components displayed/explained under:

Input Devices Processing Devices Output Devices

Keyboard Central PU VDU/Screen
Mouse Graphics PU Projector with screen
light pen Motherboard Printer
Scanner Sound card Speakers
Microphone Video card
Network card

Examples
Computer System as A Unit
Figure 10 Generic Desktop computer
Detached screen/monitor and CPU with corded keyboard and mouse

Figure 11. USB cable

Figure 12. USB printer cable

Figure 13 VGA Cable
VGA cable transports all signals from the CPU to the screen/monitor or sometimes through
projector to the screen.

Figure 14 New and more sophisticated all-in-one (compact) computer

With inbuilt CPU, the new sets of computers have up to 1TB memory and 4gbRAM. Bluetooth
enabled, touchscreen and wireless network capacity that make them similar to handy multimedia
gadgets like tabs, phablets and phones, but with wide stature suitable for a 37” screen TV. The
erstwhile generic desktop that fills up the table has been atomized into this single unit with slim
body, HD and touch-screen, and Digital sound output.
Evaluation: Assign 2marks for task1. (Identification of basic components
Assign 8marks for task2. (Categorization of the components)
 CHAPTER 2

Basic Functions of a Computer System

Introduction:
In the previous session, students have been able to recognize and categorize the various
components. At this session, students will learn how to connect the basic components and
peripherals and power the system for task handling. Here, they will learn the
compatibility and usage of pertinent addenda like
I. connecting camera and downloading pictures on the computer,
II. downloading video
III. connecting midget recorder and download audio files on the computer

OBJECTIVE
This session is meant to nudge the students to maximize the potentials of their PCs that
had been hitherto subjected to mere movie players by majority of the students. This
session will expose them to, and arouse their interests in pertinent software applications
used to achieve finesse in the fields of Mass Communication.

Procedure
Display the following:
UPS, keyboards (Bluetooth and USB Keyboards), mouse (Bluetooth and USB Mouse),
VDU (monitor), CPU, Compact System (all-in-one system), Power cables, VGA cables,
USB cords, Projector, interactive board.
Task 1: students to connect the components with appropriate cables and power it
with the aid of UPS

Computer system as a unit must perform three task

i. Receive information through impute devices
ii. Process information received through the CPU
iii. Display the process/results

Keyboard, mouse, VDU, projector,

microphone, video speakers, interactive
camera, still board (also an input
camera,midget
iv. device) printers
recorder, scanner,
audio console, video
console, light pen,
interactive board(also
an output device)
FUNCTIONS

UNIT FUNCTION
1. Input device Conveys information into the computer
2. CPU
i. Memory unit For storage
ii. ALU For arithmetical and logic functions
iii. Control unit For coordination of the system unit (neurosystem)
3. Output device Presents the signals and the results (wysiwyg)

Task 2: Exhaust various gadgets peculiar to the practice of Mass Communication that can be
used along a computer system and categorize them under the following:

i. Input devices
ii. Processing devices
iii. Output devices

There is need for us to identify the facets of Mass Communication that computer has given a
fillip. By this, we will identify few relevant software applications that are germane to achieving
finesse in them.

There are five primal fields of Mass Communication; viz:

1. Broadcast (radio and television broadcast)

2. Advertising
3. Public Relations
4. Book Publishing
5. Journalism

There is no survival in the industry for a neophyte who cannot master the basic computer craft in
typing a document, sending mails, downloading files and sharing information through the
computer. There is a plethora of various specialized exe (computer applications) that are peculiar
to some of the fields that require more than surface scratch knowledge of the application.
Examples of such are Video editors like Adobe Premiere, Corel Video Studio, Pinnacle; picture
editors like Adobe Photoshop, Corel Photoshop; audio editors like cubase

The applications include but no limited to;

i. Desktop Publisher: used for designing the layout of newspapers, magazines and other
printed matters. It is the main tool in Publishing.
ii. Microsoft word: the commonest word processor for typesetting a document. Other types
are WordPerfect and Word Star. MS word is the commonest because it comes with
commonest OS – Microsoft. Word processor is primal to the practice of journalism in this
dispensation of digitization. It makes news writing, editing, and production a seamless
and flexible task.
iii. PowerPoint: this application is most suitable in pitching for an account, paper delivery,
and lecturing. It is a basic PR and Advert communicative used to communicate messages
in punchy, crispy summarized form. It has animations, effects, and colors that can be
employed to bring special emphases to the parts of presentations.
 iv. Excel: Presenting data in grids and blocks is usually done with MS Excel. This
application is suitable for data presentation with calculations and info-graphs. It is used to
prepare list of clientele base usually used together with MS word template in mail
merging for multiple recipients; this, in fact, is major task the student shall learn later in
MAC123
v. CorelDraw: this is one major graphics application in which students can develop
expertise. Cartoonist and Illustrators are some of the adept users of CorelDraw
application.
vi. Photoshop: Image fine-tuning, re-creation and simulation can be done through Photoshop
applications. It is one tool that is necessary in media production to give relevant effects to
the visuals like pictures and caricature.
vii. Adobe Premiere (video editor): like Corel video studio, it is used to edit rushes and add
effects to a clip. The editing can be done offline or online through this applications. They
are mostly used to create artificial settings/backgrounds through Chroma key. There is
hardly a live programmme that does not use a video editor like these to create flawless
artificial scenes or as mere character generators.
viii. Cubase: audio editor for online and offline editing of audio files.

Task2: highlight the uses of various software applications in relation to all the fields of Mass
Communication.

Answers should be in the format below:

1. MS Word Major typing app. Usable for typing news stories and other editorial
contents in word format. (Newspaper & Magazine Production –
Journalism). It is also used as official mode of communication in public
and private firms, i.e., memo writing, sending mails etc. (PR). It is also
used to in Broadcasting to type news-bulletin for eligibility. It is the
main tool of publishing (book production). Can be used to present body
of a copy in print ad.
2. CorelDraw Used for graphics design in newspaper and magazine productions
3.

Conclusion

What hammer is to a carpenter, a computer is to communicator. With a desktop publisher,

printed matters can be enhanced with graphics and arts. The art of Mass Communication has
exited the age of notepad and pens, where journalists scamper about to document events and
interviews in analogue forms. Technology has graced the profession with digital devices like
digital still cameras, midget recorders, video camera, and a load of electronic news gathering
(ENG) gadgets necessitated by the digitization process. Hence there is need for all would-be
practitioners and students to adopt the new pen – computer, on which digital files are produced,
modified and enhanced.
 CHAPTER 3

Installation of Pertinent Software Applications

Introduction:
Apart from the various user-friendly applications found in Microsoft suite, there is need
for a ton of relevant applications in the field of Mass Communication that students and
practitioners need to acquaint themselves with to achieve best practices. The main
concern of this module is to take students through identifying such relevant applications,
installing and launching them on their PCs.

Objective:
This practical is meant to prep the students in adopting computer system in various
phases of mass communication practices by introducing them to available software
applications that make for better delivery.

Equipment: computer systems, projector, interactive board, external hard drive, software
applications

Procedure: a). group students into groups of fives to a computer

b). let each group select two from software apps itemized earlier

c). technologist will install Corel Photo-Paint and launch it, using tools
like Import, pick, paints etc to depict the purpose of the app.

d). groups to install and launch their picked software apps and exhibit
basic purposes of the apps.

Process: project the installation processes of Corel Photo-Paint or any relevant

programme found handy; students should observe the process and note the
compatibility of the programme with the OS of the system ie if the
programme version is operable with the system’s current OS version.
After certifying that the programme version and system’s OS are
compatible, available memory to accommodate the programme should be
guaranteed to ensure proper functioning.

Insert the optic disc (programme disc) and follow the instruction prompts;
determine the memory location for the programme and proceed to install
and launch.

Task: The students are to launch the programs and perform exercise on the basic
tools of the applications.
 CHAPTER 4

Basic Computer Software Applications

MS Word:

Introduction:

Microsoft word is a sine qua non in all the fields of Mass Communication. It is the basic tool in
preparing scripts and bulletin in broadcast; it is primal to the production of printed matters like
newspapers and magazines, and all other communicative in Public Relations and Advertising. It
will be sufficient to say Microsoft word is the provenance of Mass Communication in this digital
age.

This practical seeks to equip the students with basic processes of developing a document, using
Microsoft word.

Equipment: computer systems, projector, interactive board.

Procedure: a). recognize by icons major applications in Microsoft suite

b). double click ms-word icon or open an extant word document and later press
Ctrl+N to open new document.

c). Determine the type of document to prepare and use appropriate tools available
on each of the tabs.

Process: Home Tab; Fonts, font styles and font sizes – used to distinguish and lay
emphasis on certain parts of the document; i.e. headlines, kickers, riders, leads,
excerpts, quotes, captions etc. are always distinguished from the texts of the body
of newspaper or magazine stories. Students should use the appropriate tools in the
home tab for font formatting using any self-developed document of their choice.
Figure 15. Font Styles

Font: It is the style and type of all the alpha-numeric and special characters available for
use on the system. Certain fonts and sizes are considered formal and have been
adopted as official based on in-house styles of some organizations. Some of these
are Times New Roman, Calibri, Cambria, Century Gothic, and Arial.

Official font size is usually pegged between points 11 and 14 (for the content of
the body). For special effects or to place emphasis on parts like headings and sub-
headings, you can elevate the parts with increased font size and bold typeface.

Figure 16. Font Size Toggles

See the highlighted tools to change font sizes. You can toggle between various sizes of fonts
using either the font size tool, grow tool (big A) or shrink tool (small A)

How to create columns and banner headlines:

The simplest ways to present professional news page by a student of mass communication, using
MS-Word is highlighted hereunder;

1. Type your story in normal format and insert various actualities as deemed fit as
shown in the figure below

Figure 17. Normal news writing form

2. Highlight the story parts- starting from the word “activism…” to the last word and click
on page layout and select number of columns as deemed fit
Figure 18. Formatting news into columns
Some of the reasons why journalistic contents are written in columns are premised on
readability; eyes do not have to move from edge to edge when reading and emphases can be laid
on important parts and easily noticed by the readers.

Also, since news are written in punchy, concise and short sentences, a major part of the page is
not sacrificed for paragraphs when the body is written in columns; moreover, the conspicuous
headlines, kickers, riders and bylines are placed in such a manner that they overshadow and spell
boundaries for each news features.

Inserting Tables:

Tables are necessary features in mass communication documents. They are used in both prints
and broadcast fields of the trade. Broadcast scripts are often tabularized for legibility sake and
ease of selection by talents, characters or artistes. Stock market data, football analysis and a host
of other occasional reportage are presented in tables in printed matters like newspapers,
magazines and bulletins.

Apart from gearing up for professional practice in the fields of mass communication, students
cannot but acquaint themselves with the uses of tables as their projects at ND and HND will
surely require them to present field information in tables and charts.

Table options are available on the Insert Tab and doable through the itemized processes;

i. Type the title of the table and press enter to the next paragraph
ii. Click on Insert and select table options through the arrow under the table
iii. Choose table options as deemed fit for the task at hand

Figure 19. Table Options

There also abounds a flexible option to readjust table options to suite various needs as required to
achieve finesse in the document; these include merge cells, split cells, cell distribution evenly,
cell deletion, cell addition etc
Figure 20. Merged Cells

To merge cells, select the portions you want merged; right click on it and select merge cell
option from the dropdown.

Advanced table options are available in MS-Excel to accommodate formulae and calculations for
advanced tasks like budget management for advertising campaign programmes, media plans and
airing schedules
 CHAPTER 5

MS-Word Text Formatting

The beauty of communication transcends the message; it is greatly enhanced by the media. Little
wonder why the communication sage – Marshal McLuhan averred that “the media is the
message”. This position is contextualized as paralinguistic in oral communication. It includes
unvoiced mannerisms that speak the message better than the words. Aside tone and pitch, which
are instinctive for expressing emotions and desires of communicants, eye contacts (oculesics),
touches (tactile communication), proxemics (space and distance), chronemics (time), Kinesics
(body language) are various ways man has learned to pass messages beyond the vocal chord.

Inducing expressive meanings in the minds of the readers reading texts beyond the literal letters
is the duty of a good mass communicator, who knows their onions. Journalism, Advertising,
Book Publishing and Public Relations are word-based professions which require the
professionals to exhibit great proficiency in typesetting, which is far more than typing ideas for
readership.

Setting desirable type fonts and sizes aims at achieving two major things – finesse and
legibility/readability.

Finesse is the general aesthetic appeal that such copies in word format have that attracts
readership at sight. It includes achieving impeccable spelling of words, using of appropriate tools
to give proportionate emphases to due texts, and the general arrangement of the page layout.

Figure 21. A justified word document

As they say beauty is in the eye of beholder, knowledge of the basic text formatting tools will
enable anyone to achieve an enhanced copy, using desired tools as deemed fit. However, there
are generic copy styles that are preferred based on organizational policies or templates. We shall
look at the commonest of them and engage them practically.

HOME TOOLS

used to embolden texts

used to italize texts/fonts

used to underline texts

i. strike through text

ii. Subscript text

iii. Superscript text

text alignments styles

Fonts options – SIZES AND TYPES

REDUCE and INCREASE font options

Task: students to use the tools in Home and Insert panes to format any document of their choice,
taking cognizance of the type of document to determine their choice of tools.

Neatness, legibility, and appropriateness of tools shall be graded.