Using Layers

I've watched some videos on layers and I am still not understanding how to use them. I understand them conceptually, but I am not understanding how to implement them. How do I know I am drawing on a particular layer/ How can I copy an object from one layer to another? I have drawings that have components on one sheet or layer that really should be on separate layers. For example dimensioning, descriptive text, parts that align underneath each other, etc - I have stored on layer and I'd like to move these parts to different layers - so that I can turn on/off dimension for example