QWERT Newbie basic question

I'm sure this is as basic a question as it gets, but I haven't been able to figure out how to use the QWERT keys. I've tried dropping items onto them, I've tried right clicking them, I've tried left clicking them. Spent a lot of time searching Internet, but I must not be using the correct terms. I'm not sure what to do. Also, not sure what the slots above QWERT are used for.

The slots are designated for 'skills' you can place in them by left mouse clicking on them. It draws from the pools of skill gem in your currently equiped gear.

The respective selected skill is activated by pressing the keyboard button related to the slot – you can change the keybindig in the options menu.

Slots above them are for left/middle/right mouse button respectively.

That was some deep basic question...

Ok, Thanks. I thought that just placing a gem in a piece of equipment automatically activated that gem. You're saying that the appropriate key has to be entered to activate the skill?

Well, yes. Placing a skill gem into your equip "activates" that particular skill for your character (as in, you are now able to use it, as long as you meet the requirement blah blah).

But to use it, of course, you need to bind it to a button.
So if you bind that said skill to, say, the "Q" key, then your character will use that skill everytime you press Q.
Obviously :)