This document provides instructions for using email with a focus on Gmail. It describes how to access Gmail in a web browser, set up an account with a user ID and password, navigate basic email functions like composing, replying, forwarding, and deleting messages. The document instructs students on best practices for signing into their account securely and signing out when finished. Key aspects of email like addresses, subjects, and the from/to fields are also explained to help users understand the basics of communicating via email.

1. 01/29/15 1
Basic Computer Class
Lesson 4
Using email

2. 2
Start Internet Explorer
Start Internet Explorer
Two Ways:
1. Double Click on the blue E
OR
1. Click Start
2. Roll mouse up to Programs
3. Click Internet Explorer off
the Program’s Menu

3. 3
What is Email?
Email is:
Messages,
usually text, sent
from one person
to another via
computer. E-mail
can also be sent
automatically to a
large number of
addresses.

4. 4
Using gmail Email
Email web site:
gmail.com
You must put this
address to
memory, so you
can check your
email from any
computer that
has an Internet
connection.

5. 5
Changing Address to
www.gmail.com
1. Click after the last letter in the address
For example: In http://www2.bccls.org
You would click after the ‘g’
2. Notice the
http://www2.bccls.org
is highlighted in gray
3. Push Backspace on the keyboard
4. Type in the address textbox:
www.gmail.com
5. Press Enter on the keyboard

6. 6
User Identification (User ID)
User ID
(Identification)
A string of letters and/or
numbers (ex: your name)
that uniquely identifies you to
the email system. Your
userID is also the first part of
your e-mail address. For
your protection, every userID
has an associated password.

7. 7
User ID
For this class I have already set
up UserIDs for you that will
be used just in class.
But for your own email…..
Pick a name that will be easy for
you to remember, either part of
your name or a hobby you like
to do. Example: carl420 or
library_420

8. 8
Signing on to your practice
Email part 1
1. Click the white box to
the right of Yahoo ID:
(to place the cursor in
the textbox)
2. I’ll assign each of you
a userID
3. Write down your
UserID after I give it to
you.

9. 9
Creating a Password
Creating a password:
A password is like a lock on your
mail box. Without the password
then no one can get in.
For this class I have set up
passwords for you.
For your own email……
Select a password that is easy
to remember that has letters
and numbers in it.
Warnings!
Don’t use birthday or social
security number.
Try to use random numbers
Usually 6-10 letters/numbers
Example: use pets name
Example: Spot420

10. 10
Typing in your password
1. Click in the Password box this
places your cursor in it
2. Type: the word library for your
password. (in lower-case
letters)
3. Notice that library is all in
******
This is done this way to keep
people from seeing your
password if they are watching
you type it in.
4. Click “sign in” button just
below the password box.

11. 11
Email Addresses
Email addresses do not contain
spaces.
Typically the email address have
the
person’s UserID as the first part
Like carl420
Then the @ sign (pronounced ‘at’)
Like carl420@
then the email provider’s name
Like Gmail
The address looks like
carl420@gmail.com

12. 12
To Open Email
To open Email
1. Click on Inbox on the left
side of the screen
2. (see picture to the right)
3. To open your mail click on
the Subject.
ex: Welcome to Email class and the
last class
(see picture to the right, see the
circled area) this is what you
click on to open that email.

13. 13
Understanding Email
Viewing email
See the picture to the right
To:
These are the addresses of who
this email was sent to
carlstadtlibrary@gmail.com
From:
This is the address of the person
the email is from
carlstadtlibrary@gmail.com
Subject:
This is what the email is about
Welcome to Email Class and the last
class
Below where it says Good Afternoon!
This is the message.

14. 14
Replying to Email
1. Click “Reply” button
2. Type message in the white
area above the previous
message (see where the arrow is pointing
on the bottom picture)
You can see that the person’s address is
already put in and the subject is put in
with Re: added to the front of subject
Ex: Re: Welcome to Email Class and the last
class
4. Type a short message type your name
5. Click “Send” button toward the left
corner of the screen (see circled item on
the second to the bottom picture)
6. Click Back to Inbox button to get out of
the screen. (see bottom picture to the
right)

15. 15
Checking for new Email
You can click the
check mail button
To check to see if you
have any new mail
while you have been
signed on.
It is located on the left
side of your screen.
See the picture on the
right side 

16. 16
Composing a new Email
Composing a new message
Click “compose” button
1. I want you to write to everyone in your
class for practice
2. Here is a list of the email addresses and
you must write down who is owner of
that email.
3. In the box to the right of To: Click in the
empty box to place your cursor in it
4. Type one of the above addresses
5. Press Tab key or click in the subject box
with your mouse to place the cursor
there (blinking line)
6. Type in the subject (the title of the
email) like Hello or Greetings
7. Press Tab key or you can click in the
area with your mouse to place the
cursor there. (blinking line)
8. Type your email or message
9. Click “send” button in toward the top
corner
10. Click Check Mail button to go back to
the Inbox
11. Practice replying to people in your
class.

17. 17
Deleting Email
Deleting email
1. Click box so that there is a
check mark in the box
2. Click “delete” button
3. See picture to the top right
OR
1. Click on subject of email
which opens email
2. Click “delete” button
3. See picture to the bottom
right.

18. 18
Forwarding Email
Forwarding Email
1. Open email by clicking the
subject
2. Click “Forward” button
3. See picture to the top right
4. Type email address who you
want to send it to. (Look at your sheet to
see who you would like to send it to)
(see picture to the bottom right)
5. Press Tab key
6. Press Tab key
7. Type message
8. Click “Send” button
9. Click Check Mail button to go back to
Inbox

19. 19
Signing Out of Email
Signing out of email
1. Click “Signout link” it is
in very tiny letters at the
top right of your screen
2. See picture to the right
(circled)
Very important, so people
can’t get into your email
Always Signout!

20. 20
Summary & Questions
Email is an excellent
way to keep in
touch with friends
and family.
Questions?