The Mouse: Pointing and Clicking

Learning Objectives Identify the main parts of a computer mouse (body, left button, right button, scroll wheel). Demonstrate how to move the mouse to control the on-screen pointer. Perform four basic mouse actions: point, single-click, double-click, and drag-and-drop. Explain that a mouse click is an 'event' that tells the computer to perform an action. Describe a mouse action using a simple 'If... Then...' conditional statement (e.g., 'If I click the icon, then the program opens'). Use the right-click to open a context menu. Have you ever wished you had a magic wand to tell a computer what to do? 🧙‍♀️ Your computer mouse is kind of like that! Today, we're going to learn about the computer mouse, our special tool for pointing at and inter...

TermDefinitionExample Pointer (or Cursor)The little arrow or symbol on the screen that moves when you move your mouse.Moving your mouse on the desk makes the white arrow pointer move across your computer screen. EventA special signal you send to the computer. A mouse click is an event.When you click on a 'Play' button, you create a click event that tells the computer to start the video. Single-ClickPressing and releasing the left mouse button one time.You single-click on a file to select it before you open it. Double-ClickPressing and releasing the left mouse button two times very quickly.You double-click on a program's icon to open it and start using it. Drag and DropTo click and hold down the mouse button on an item, move it to a new place, and then let go of the button.Y...

The 'If-Then' of a Click IF you click on an object, THEN the computer performs a specific action. This is the most basic rule. The computer is always waiting for a click 'event'. What happens depends on what you click. The Double-Click Pattern IF you double-click an application icon, THEN the computer opens that application. Use this pattern to start programs, open folders, or open files. It's a shortcut for 'select and then open'. The Drag and Drop Algorithm 1. Point at item. 2. Press and HOLD left button. 3. Move pointer to new location. 4. Release left button. Follow these four steps in order to move things around on your screen, like organizing icons or moving pictures.