If you're an experienced computer user, you don't even think about simple things like turning on the machine, booting up an application, and getting to the file or document you need. These seemingly simple tasks are a major challenge, however, for someone who is unfamiliar with computer operations. "Job aids" are shortcuts or "cheat sheets" for people to use to help them through routine tasks. In this activity you will plan and develop a job aid to help people perform basic computer operations.

     You will need pencil and paper or a computer with a word processing program. Depending on the job aid format you choose, you also may need a binder and/or sheets of clear contact paper.

     Job aids come in various forms. Some are mostly words, others mostly pictures, and some are a combination of words and pictures. One of the most common is a printed sheet with simple directions for the task at hand. Often these sheets are laminated and mounted somewhere handy (like on the side of a computer monitor). Some job aids that are more than a single page are bound with plastic binders for easy page-turning.

     Your task is to create a job aid that will help a person who has little or no computer experience (a fellow 4-H member, for example). The job aid should assist the person complete a computer- related task that can be done in fewer than five minutes. Some examples are formatting a diskette; locating a file in a directory; launching an application program from the hard drive, diskette or CD-ROM; starting a new file or document; or saving a file. You may choose one of these or another computer task as the focus of your job aid. Check in the DATA-BANK for sources of information to include in your job aid.

     When you have finished your job aid, try it out on a few people. Talk them through it, then let them try it to see if they can do the task by following the directions. Demonstrate the job aid to your club or class. Make extra copies to give to club members or others who want or need them.

     Think about how you developed your job aid. Was it easy or difficult? What was the most difficult part?

     Was your job aid effective? How did you determine if it was or was not? What revisions did you make (or do you need to make) for it to be more effective?

     What are some other situations or tasks you can think of where a job aid might be helpful?

     What are some other possible formats for your job aid? Develop an online job aid that will "pop up" on screen when the user starts the computer.

     Develop job aids for some other (computer or non-computer) tasks that are important in your 4-H club (keeping record books, chairing a meeting, completing award applications, etc.)

1. Insert a 3.5" diskette into the floppy disk drive on the computer.
2. From the "Start" button on the toolbar at the bottom of your screen, open Windows Explorer.
3. Click the mouse on the C drive icon in the left frame. The names of all the files on your C drive will appear in the right frame.
4. Find the file that you want to back up in the right frame.
5. Highlight the file name by clicking on the icon next to it.
6. Highlight "send to" under the File pull down menu.
7. Click on "3 1/2 floppy (A)"
8. The file will be copied to the floppy diskette.

1. Insert a 3.5" diskette into the floppy disk drive. A floppy diskette icon will appear on your screen. Click on it to open the floppy diskette window.
2. Click on the "Macintosh HD" icon on the computer screen.
3. In the Macintosh HD window, click on the folder that contains the file you want to back up.
4. Hold down the mouse button and drag the file icon into the floppy diskette window. You should see a message like "copying [filename]"
5. The file icon and name should appear in the floppy diskette.

     Examples of job aids: a card on the telephone with the names of persons on the speed-dialer. A sign on your dresser mirror that says "first put on your pants, then your shoes." The on-line help feature on any software program that gives you step-by-step instructions.

     For additional information, try conducting a Web search for the term "job aid".

     URLS:

• Computer Lessons for Kids and Small Adults

Adapted from material developed by Illinois 4-H. Used by permission.

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