Ally, first, there are no dumb questions! :) We all started sometime or other and all probably wondered the same kinds of things :) If the "wheel things" have a slot down the middle of them, you can use a flat-head screwdriver to open them up. Most of the post-bound albums have that kind of fastener in them. I personally no longer use post bound because I hate having to open and close those things, but you'll learn as you go along which types of what you prefer. I use 3-ring albums because I can just open and close the rings to add pages and can add them anywhere without having to remove all the pages to do it... But that's my preference... I know there are others who prefer the post bound or strap hinge kinds :)
-CC