Useful – Human interface elements for interaction

List of useful elements used to interact with what is on the screen: Text insertion cursor (or insertion point), mouse pointer, arrow, pin, adjustment handle and selection. To see context menu: right click the mouse

Text insertion cursor ‘I’: The position indicator on a computer display where a user can enter text – it will flash on and off

Mouse pointer: The object that moves on a computer display and changes depending on what it is hovering over. When it is over text it becomes a beam I, over a link to a different webpage – a hand, over neutral space it is an arrow.

The forward/back, expand/collapse (facing down or up) arrow ‘❯’:: In Finder in List view, this symbol is on the left and shows if a folder is expanded or not. When pointing right the folder is compressed and when pointing down it is expanded. This symbol is also seen where there is a drop down menu available

The pin: When you see a pin or the words to ‘Pin’ something you are fixing something in a prominent location or keeping it showing. e.g. touch and hold on a text message on a smartphone to save it permanently at the top of the Messages app (not recommended)

Adjustment handle: a hollow thick arrow that appears on the corners and edges of a window. Drag the arrow to adjust the size and shape of a Window. Corner arrows are diagonal and double headed and move two sides of the window at once. Double click on a corner arrow to make the window fit the screen

Selection: this is either highlighted text that identifies what will respond to a formatting change e.g. bold or italic, a highlighted file or a button that is bordered or darker

Context menu: right click the mouse to see a menu of options relevant to the area being clicked on