This is an eighth note. It lasts for half a count. There are eight eighth notes in one bar of * time. When eighth notes are joined together the tails are replaced by one beam.
Here is an example which makes use of eighth notes on the first two beats of bars 1 and 3. Remember to tap your foot on each beat as you play.
This one uses eighth notes on the first two beats of bars 1 and 2, and then on all four beats of bar 3. Take it slowly at first and make sure you are sounding all of the notes clearly and evenly.