Courses

This course  is designed to provide students with foundational digital skills necessary for most jobs these days. Whether working in-person or remotely, at a small company or a global enterprise, nearly every worker - and every well-paid worker - uses a computer. 

Digital Basics teaches Information literacy, a set of skills that empowers an individual to use technology to acquire, evaluate, and use information, make informed decisions, form opinions, accomplish a goal, or solve a problem. This course offers learners practice in the following skills.

• Identifying a problem and formulating a research question. Making a plan for problem solving.
• Finding applicable resources to help answer a research question, includinghow to identify search terms.
• Evaluating and analyzing information critically including determining source reliability.
• Organizing useful information through a note-taking process.
• Using information found in research to answer a question, make an informed decision, form an opinion, etc.

Information literacy skills are essential in personal, professional, and academic life. In schools, these skills are needed to research and complete projects. In personal and professional life,the shill set supports informed decision making, thoughtful purchasing, and forming opinions on social and political topics. These skills are vital tools for day-to-day living in the modern world.

This course will begin by teaching students important prerequisite digital competencies to ensure that students from all backgrounds have the skills needed to complete the course and prepare for employment. We are going to use Digital Literacy Assessment tools before and after the course.

Course Structure:

1. Class 1. Basic Computer Skills.
   • Students will be able to:
     1. Identify specific computer hardware.
     2. Demonstrate how to log on and off the computer.
     3. Demonstrate knowledge of mouse button purpose and use.
     4. Utilize common controls for screen interaction.
     5. Demonstrate basic understanding of computer programs, including the upgrade and update process
     6. Identify the computer camera, microphone, and other peripherals.
     7. Demonstrate an understanding of Recycle Bin and its purpose.
2. Class 2. Internet basics.
   • Students will be able to:
     • Identify the different ways a person can connect to the Internet.
     • Demonstrate knowledge of browsers.
     • Demonstrate a familiarity of website structure.
     • Demonstrate safe Internet practices for sharing information.
     • Identify top-level domains.
     • Identify common browser tools.
     • Identify and make use of common interactive web page components.
3. Class 3. Professional Email Communication.
   • Students will be able to:
     • Define email and different email clients.
     • Create a new email account.
     • Differentiate between a URL and email address.
     • Create and send an email.
     • Create attachments for email messages.
     • Practice downloading and opening attachments from email.
     • Develop a plan to manage and organize email.
     • Understanding email etiquette.
     • Practice secure email techniques based on best practice.
4. Class 4. Effective use of Windows Operating System.
   • Students will be able to:
     • Identify the operating system.
     • Identify the parts of the Windows interface.
     • Use the Help menu.
     • Use Windows file explorer to locate files and folders.
     • Identify icons, functions, and file extensions for applications.
     • Organize files and folders.
     • Identify peripheral devices.
     • Use Settings to add and update applications.
     • Practice opening and closing of windows, log out and restart.
5. Class 5.  Effective Use of the Mac Operating System. 
   • Students will be able to:
     • Identify the operating system.
     • Identify the parts of the Mac OS interface.
     • Use the Help menu.
     • Use Finder or Spotlight to locate files and folders.
     • Identify icons, functions, and file extensions for applications.
     • Organize files and folders.
     • Identify peripheral devices.
     • Use the App store to add and update applications.
     • Practice opening and closing of windows, log out and restart.

Each class will follow this general format:

• Introduction or review of prior class topics / homework-related or general questions
• Hands-on lab demonstration
• Homework assignment
• Wrap up and Q & A
• Short breaks will be taken throughout the session as determined by the mentor to allow for healthy stretching, refreshment, or to engage in a simple conversation with classmates.