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Basic IT Skills (Android tablet) For

Created by Anchor Hanover: November 2020

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Contents:

1. How to Use an android tablet

1.1. What is a tablet? Pg.3

1.2. Holding the tablet Pg.3

1.3. Buttons on the tablet Pg.4

1.4. Using the touchscreen Pg.4

1.5. Using the keyboard Pg.6

1.6. Apps Pg.6

2. Video Calls

2.1. Zoom Pg. 8-10

3. Using Email

3.1 What is email? Pg.11

3.2 Sending and receiving emails Pg. 11

3.3. Opening an email account Pg.12-13

4. Using the Internet

4.1. What is the internet? Pg.14

4.2. Searching the internet Pg.15

4.3. Staying safe online Pg.17

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How to Use an Android tablet

What is a tablet?

A tablet is a hand-held computer. You can use it to send and receive emails,

browse the internet, Skype, take photographs and lots more. This guide will look at

the basic functions of the tablet.

Holding the tablet

While getting used to the tablet it is best to position it in a portrait orientation (i.e.

like a book) with the “Home” button at the bottom. You might like to place it flat on

the table or use a stand to prop it up, whatever is most comfortable.

You will need to be able to access all of the buttons on the edges as well as to tap

and swipe the screen.

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Buttons on the Tablet (please refer to Android Basics help sheet for images)

There are very few buttons on the tablet but it is important to know what they do.

a) Sleep/Wake or On/Off: This button will turn the screen off and on.

It will also turn the Tablet off completely by pressing it for 5 seconds and

sliding the image on the screen to the left; to turn it back on press and hold it

for 5 seconds.

b) Home: Pressing this button at any time will exit whatever you are doing and

return you to the home screen.

c) Volume Control: press this button in either direction to turn the sound up or

down.

d) Charger slot: you insert the charger here to charge the tablet.

e) Earphones slot: you can insert earphones here.

f) Touch Screen: The tablet is a touch screen device. This means you do

not need a mouse to use it.

You just touch the screen with your fingers.

g) Applications (Apps): It is a shortcut that allows you to go directly to the

programme or website you wish to access.

It is represented by a picture or a symbol. You will see lots of apps on your

tablet.

Using the touchscreen

• Tap once: To open up an app.

• Tap twice or pinch (using two fingers): to zoom the page.

• Drag to scroll (also referred to as swiping): When you press your finger

to the screen and drag to the right, left, up, or down, you move around the

screen

• Flick: To scroll more quickly on a page, quickly flick your finger on the screen

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in the direction you want to move.

• Status bar: The status bar is at the top of the display, on the right. The

time, the battery status and current connections like Bluetooth and Wi-

Fi are displayed here.

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Using the keyboard

The keyboard is not visible on the screen until you tap where you would like to write

and then it will appear.

When it does appear it will be very similar to the one used for a PC or laptop.

Tap where you want to type and the keyboard will appear. Tap lightly on the letter

you need.

Tap the letters icon to get the letters keyboard to appear and the numbers icon if

the letters keyboard is the one on screen.

Applications (Apps)

Apps (applications) are shortcuts that allow you to get straight into the website or

programme you are looking for.

There are lots of different apps out there and different organisations and companies

have their own apps.

We will go over the main ones that come with the tablet and others that you may

find useful. Please note that this list is not exhaustive.

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a) Play store – is where you purchase apps. In order to use it you need to set up

an Apple ID.

b) Settings – changes how things work on the tablet. For example, you need

to access settings to set up the Wi-Fi.

c) Internet Explorer – allows you to browse the internet to search for information.

d) Mail & Contacts – allow you to save email addresses and contact details of

family and friends.

e) Camera – allows you to take pictures and videos with your tablet.

f) Photos – All saved photos and videos are stored in photos.

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Popular Apps

There are thousands of different Apps, some you need to pay for, but the majority of the most popular ones are for free.

Here is a list of some apps that you might find useful –

News

Other Apps

• Sky News • YouTube – watch videos on your Tablet • Netflix/Amazon/NowTV – you can watch films for a monthly fee • Google Earth – check out detailed satellite maps of the world • Facebook

• Twitter • Instagram • Journey Planner – look up bus timetables

• Skype - allows you to make free phone calls with video • Epicurious – recipes • Pinterest – art and design • Solitaire and Bridge Apps

Video Calls Introduction to Zoom meetings

Zoom is an online meeting platform which surged in popularity during the Covid-19 crisis. It can be used to make 1-1 or group video calls from a computer, tablet or phone. Users can screen share, chat and use interactive features.

1. How to create a free zoom account

From a tablet or phone

• Go to the apple or android App Store and search for: Zoom Cloud meetings • Once you’ve downloaded it, open the app and click on Sign up.

2. How to join a meeting

You can join a Zoom meeting directly through the link you are sent by the meeting organiser. If you have downloaded Zoom to your phone, tablet or computer then you can join from within the app.

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From a tablet or smartphone:

1. Go to the apple or android App Store and search for: Zoom Cloud meetings 2. Once you’ve downloaded it, open the app 3. Click on the big blue button Join a Meeting 4. Enter the Meeting ID which will be something like 123-123-123 5. Enter the password 6. Enter your name as you want it to appear to everyone else 7. Click Join.

3. In meeting chat, controls and tools

Gallery View (computer and tablet only)

You will be able to see everyone’s videos at the same time. In very large meetings you might have to scroll down to see everyone.

To activate this click on the Gallery View button in the top right. It’s a bit counterintuitive – if the word is showing speaker view you are in gallery view!

Speaker View (default on tablet and phone)

You will see the video of the person who is currently speaking. As different people speak, this will change over. On a computer this is a useful view if someone is doing a presentation or one person will be speaking for a length of time.

To activate this click on the Speaker View button in the top right.

The tool bar

On a computer or tablet, you will see the tool bar at the bottom of your screen

• Click on mute to mute and unmute yourself – click on the arrow to the right to change your mic/audio settings

• Click on stop video to turn off your video and then click again to resume – click on the arrow to the right to select the camera settings or even pick a virtual background!

• Click on Participants to see who else is in the meeting. • Click on Share to allow you to share your screen – for example if you want to

deliver a powerpoint presentation • Click on Chat to open up the chat box. • Click on Record to record your screen and all audio – however it will not record

content of the chat box, even if you have that open (Record is only available to participants if the host has enabled it).

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• If you need to leave the meeting click on Leave Meeting in the bottom right corner

Chat

Click on chat in the bottom toolbar and it will open up a pop up box – if this pops out in front of the videos, click on the ESC button on your keyboard to exit full screen mode. This should then place the chat box down the right of the video screen

You can send messages to everyone or, if the host has allowed it, to individual participants

If you don’t have the chat box open and a new message has been sent, you will see the word chat flash and a number 1 appear by it

How to set up a Zoom meeting

1. Log in to your account on the website. 2. On the left hand bar click on Meetings. 3. Then click on the blue button Schedule a new meeting. 4. Give your meeting a name and a short description. 5. Add the date, time and length. 6. If you want this meeting to be held regularly, you can click on recurring meeting

and further options will open. 7. Meeting ID: you will see the choice between generating an automatic ID and

using a personal ID. Since 5 April 2020, for security reasons this is set to ‘generate automatic’ which is the best option.

8. Next to video you can you choose the video settings – make sure they are turned on for both host and participants.

9. Click Save.

Once you have created a meeting and click Save, you will be shown the details of your meeting.

1. Go down to Join URL and to the left click on copy the invitation. 2. You can then paste this text in an email, whatsapp message, facebook or text.

This is the link your participants will use to join. There are three key pieces of information:

• The meeting ID • The password • The web link (which contains within it the password).

(We have additional guidance documents on how to use Skype on our website. These can be accessed by visiting – https://www.anchorhanover.org.uk/existing-residents/get-connected or by emailing Getconnected@anchorhanover.org.uk)

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Using Email

What is email? Electronic mail or email is a quick way of sending messages to people using the internet.

An email address (e.g. tom@anchorhanover.org.uk) is made up of the following parts:

• ‘tom’ is the person’s name or user name – the name they chose to use

• The @ stands for the word ‘at’ and means that they are connected to the anchorhanover.org.uk part of the address

• After the @ is the name of the place where the person works or the place which provides the email address

• .uk shows that the email address is for someone in the United Kingdom

Sending and Receiving emails

When an email appears in your inbox, you can tell it is a new or unopened email as it will appear in bold.

You can see who the email is from and the subject of the email.

An email has the following features:

• An address bar where you put the email address (shown below as To…) • A subject bar where you write what your email is about (shown below as Subject:) • The main body of the email, where you write your message (shown below as hello Tom, Hope you are well)

You open an email by clicking twice on it, for example in the subject line. You can then read its contents.

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Upon reading, you can decide if you want to reply to the email, forward it to someone else or do nothing.

Reply – You reply by clicking on the Reply button. • This will open a new email • The address will already be completed as you are replying to the email • The subject line will be completed and will start with RE: • You type out your message in the main body of the page

• You send by clicking on the Send button

Forward - You do this by clicking on the Forward button. • This will open a new email • You will need to fill in the address of the person you are forwarding the email to

• The subject line will be completed and will start with FW: • You can type out an additional message above the forwarded message in the main body of the page if you wish or you can simply send the forwarded message as is • You send by clicking on the Send button

Send an email

• To create a new email you click on the New button • You type the email address in the address bar • You type a subject in the subject bar

• You type in your message in the main body

• You send by clicking on the Send button

Sending attachments

An attachment is a type of file such as a photo or document. You can send an attachment with an email. To add an attachment you need to click on the Attach button. This often has a paperclip as its symbol.

• When you click on the Attach button it opens up a new window • The window shows you files and folders on your computer • Find and then click on the file you want to attach and press OK

• The file will now show as an attachment in your email • The name of the file will be shown next to a paperclip

Opening an email account

If you’re thinking of setting up an email account, there are a number of popular providers to consider:

• Gmail (run by Google)

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• Hotmail (run by Microsoft)

• Yahoo! Mail (run by Yahoo)

You will need to fill in your personal details such as name, date of birth and address.

You will also need to create a username and password.

For example, if you want to use Gmail to create an account:-

1. Go to www.gmail.com.

2. Click Create account.

3. The signup form will appear - here you choose a username and fill in your

details.

4. Review Google's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy, click the check box,

then click Next step.

5. Here, you will have an opportunity to set up recovery options. This is to

enable you access your email account in the event you have forgotten your

password etc.

6. Your account will be created, and the Google welcome page will appear.

You will now be able to send/receive emails and can give out this new email address

to friends, family etc. so they can keep in contact with you.

You will need to check your email regularly so you do not miss any messages.

(We have additional guidance documents on how to use Skype on our website. These can be accessed by visiting https://www.anchorhanover.org.uk/existing-residents/get-connected or by emailing Getconnected@anchorhanover.org.uk)

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Using the Internet

What the internet is

The internet is a worldwide network of computers all connected to each other by telephone lines, cables and satellites.

It’s like a huge library of information.

On the internet you can read the news, shop, pay bills, send emails, watch television programmes and more.

You view websites and webpages in a web browser. A web browser is simply a way of being able to view webpages.

All web browsers have similar features.

You can normally open your web browser from a shortcut on your desktop. Some of the most popular browsers are:

Internet Explorer Google chrome Safari Mozilla Firefox

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Searching the internet

To explore inside a website you need to click on links. This is called ‘browsing’ or surfing the web.

A website is like a book which has a front cover or home page, and lots of other pages, which are called webpages.

A link can take you to a webpage in the website. A link can also take you to a different website.

A link can be text, a button or an image. Links are highlighted so you can spot them. Your cursor will change to a hand when it moves over a link.

Using a web browser At the top of the browser you will find an address bar. To go to a website you need to put its address into the address bar.

For example, type the address www.anchorhanover.org.uk directly into the address bar. Press the Enter key to go to the website.

Using a search engine

The internet has millions of websites and webpages. You can search for almost anything – from recipes and local news, to history and gardening tips.

To search the internet effectively you need a search engine. • A search engine will scan through thousands of websites and webpages on the internet and collect and organise the information it thinks is most relevant to you. • Some of the most popular search engines are:

Yahoo – www.yahoo.com Bing – www.bing.com Google – www.google.com

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Address bar

Search box

Enter Key

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To use a search engine, for example Internet Explorer, you need to open your web browser:-

• Type in the address of the search engine you want to use in the address bar • Click the arrow key on the address bar or press the enter key on the

keyboard. This will take you to the search engine • The search engine has a search box or search field

To search you type key words into the search box and press the search button:-

• Key words are words that describe what you are looking for in the most simple and direct way, for example “growing roses”

• The result from your search will appear as a list of websites and links. The most popular or relevant will be at the top of the list

• To visit any of the sites that appear, click on a link

You can make your searching more effective by following a few handy tips:-

• Use key words not full sentences or questions. For example, instead of

typing “I need tips for growing roses” simply type “roses” • If you can’t find what you want, try to use different words or a different

way of expressing it • Practise putting key words into the search box and pressing the search button

• A list of search results will appear, with the most popular websites near the top of the list

• To view a website, simply click on the link

(We have additional guidance documents on how to use Skype on our website. These can be accessed by visiting –https://www.anchorhanover.org.uk/existing-residents/get-connected or by emailing Getconnected@anchorhanover.org.uk)

Staying safe online

The internet is a very useful and interesting tool; it can also be exploited by criminals and people intending to cause disruption.

In order to navigate safely, you will need to be aware of certain precautions that can keep you and your password information safe.

Use special software You can protect yourself with special programmes such as:

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• Firewall software • Anti-virus software • Anti-spyware software

(We have additional guidance documents on how to use Skype on our website. These can be accessed by visiting – https://www.anchorhanover.org.uk/existing-residents/get-connectedor by emailing Getconnected@anchorhanover.org.uk)

Usernames and Passwords

Sometimes you need usernames and passwords to register on certain websites. A username can be anything you want it to be.

You might not want to use your real name as this will help keep your identity unknown and safe.

Choose a password that is memorable and not easy for someone else to guess. The best types of passwords mix letters and numbers. This is known as a strong password as it is a lot more difficult to work out what it would be.

Examples of a bad password: password maryjames

Examples of a good password: B3sk8tca5e J4m3sth

• It is safer to have different passwords for different websites. • You use your username and password to log in to a website

• After you have used a website you should always log off

Remember – never give your password to anyone!

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Keep an eye on emails People may send you email to try and access your private information such as bank account or credit card details.

You may also get SPAM emails which are sent to thousands of people and usually advertise products or services.

To protect yourself against these types of emails follow these tips:

• Don’t open an email from someone you have never heard of • Delete it immediately • If you do open it by accident, don’t click on any links • Never reply to a SPAM email • You can put a block on unwanted SPAM email on your email account – this

will also block most fraudulent emails too

• Use an up-to-date web browser as these can warn you against sites that may try to gain your information fraudulently

• Don’t give away your password or any personal information

No legitimate company will ever ask you for your password.

Shopping on the Internet One of the benefits of the internet is the ability to shop from a wide range of stores and buy items on auction sites.

Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself when shopping online:-

• Use retailers that have a good reputation as ‘high street’ shops, or established brands

• Follow the security advice carefully on websites that you trust as its there to help you

• Never download illegal software, music or videos

• Make sure that you are on a secure site when you need to give credit or debit card details

• Check that the site is secure.

A secure site will start with https://

The ‘s’ is what indicates it’s a secure site.

(We have additional guidance documents on how to use Skype on our website. These can be accessed by visiting – https://www.anchorhanover.org.uk/existing-residents/get-connectedor by emailing Getconnected@anchorhanover.org.uk)