What you will learn

This literacy program is made of three interactive courses dealing with:

  • Understanding computers
  • Using computer software
  • Exploring the Internet

Each course has inbuilt exercises and tests that you can take at any time.

The courses cover what you need to know to become a confident user of computers and the Internet. The courses also give you a solid foundation should you wish to study further for certification such as IC3 or ICDL.

Course Details

You will have to ‘scroll down’ to read some of the course details. (You do this using the down arrow key on your keyboard or the scrolling wheel in the middle of your mouse.)

Course 1 – Introduction to Computers
Lesson 1: Introducing computers
Topic Learning Points
1. Computer functions and types
  • Computer basics
  • Computer types
  • Handheld devices
2. Computer hardware
  • Components
  • Inside the cabinet
  • Peripheral devices
  • Ports and connectors
  • Storage
3. Key components and performance
  • Clock speed
  • RAM and graphics requirements
  • Storage requirement
Lesson 2: Computers in everyday life
Topic Learning Points
1. Networks
  • WANs and LANs
  • Internet connection options
  • Intranets and extranets
  • Client/server networks
2. ICT in business, education and leisure
  • ICT in action
  • Internet communication services
  • Virtual communities
Lesson 3: Health, security and the law
Topic Learning Points
1. Using your computer wisely
  • Ergonomics and health
  • The environment
2. Security
  • Physical damage
  • Preventing thefts and losses
  • Viruses
3. The law
  • Copyright issues
  • Informational privacy
  • Rights and responsibilities

Course 2 – Using Your Computer
Lesson 1: Getting started
Topic Learning Points
1. Introducing computer software
  • Operating systems
  • Application software
  • Accessibility options
2. Your desktop setup
  • Computer setup
  • Time, date, and volume
  • Keyboard and language
3. Personalizing your settings
  • Working with icons
  • Background and screensaver
  • Color and resolution
4. Using the Help functions
  • Help home page
  • Searching Help
  • Browsing Help
5. Exercise 1: Desktop and Help
  • T1 Changing the screensaver
  • T2 Changing the background
  • T3 Browsing to a Help page
  • T4 Returning to Help and Support
Lesson 2: Using software
Topic Learning Points
1. Using windows
  • Opening windows
  • The basic structure of windows
  • Working with windows
2. Capturing screen images
  • Using Print Screen
  • Using the Snipping Tool
3. Installing software
  • Introducing software installation
  • Installation wizards
  • Installing Microsoft Office from a CD
  • Installing from a website
  • Uninstalling a program
Lesson 3: File management
Topic Learning Points
1. Introduction to file management
  • Considerations when storing files
  • The Windows data storage system
  • Navigating through folders
  • Navigate to a file on a drive
2. Files and folders
  • Common file types
  • File status
  • Viewing files and folders
3. Creating files and folders
  • Best naming practices
  • Creating and naming files
  • Renaming files
  • Creating and renaming folders
4. Organizing files and folder
  • Selecting files and folders
  • Copying and moving files and folders
  • Deleting and restoring
  • Compressing files and folders
5. Exercise 2: Working with files and folders
  • T1 Opening a new Word document
  • T2 Opening the Save as dialog box
  • T3 Saving to a location
  • T4 Saving your document
  • T5 Compressing a file
Lesson 4: Finding and protecting files
Topic Learning Points
1. Finding files
  • Search functions
  • Searching in the Start menu
  • Using the Search Results window
  • Searching in location folders
  • Searching by file properties
2. Protecting files against viruses
  • Anti-virus protection
  • Scanning your computer
  • Scanning removable media
  • Scanning individual folders
3. Exercise 3: Finding and organizing files
  • T1 Finding a file
  • T2 Viewing document contents
  • T3 Renaming the file
  • T4 Cutting the Roast Chicken Recipe
  • T5 Pasting the file into Recipes.zip
Lesson 5: Using printers
Topic Learning Points
1. Installing and configuring printers
  • Installing a printer automatically
  • Installing a network printer
  • Installing a printer manually
  • Printing a test page
  • Selecting a default printer
2. Printing
  • Printing documents
  • Using the print queue
3. Exercise 4: Using the printer
  • T1 Printing a document
  • T2 Changing your default printer
  • T3 Pausing a print job

Course 3 – Living Online
Lesson 1: Starting out on the Internet
Topic Learning Points
1. Browsing the Web
  • The browser interface
  • Navigating
  • Saving pages for future access
  • Speeding up web access
2. Searching the Web
  • Types of search service
  • Using search engines and web directories
  • Assessing web information
3. Web security
  • Undesirable and malicious content
  • Password safety
  • Configuring security settings
  • Viruses
4. Web commerce
  • Online shopping and banking
  • Security issues for Web commerce
  • Digital certificates
Lesson 2: Communicating on the Internet
Topic Learning Points
1. Introducing e-mail
  • E-mail and its beginnings
  • Common e-mail features
  • Delivering e-mail
  • E-mail message components
  • E-mail privacy and encryption
2. Using e-mail
  • Configuring e-mail software
  • Appropriate use of e-mail
  • Writing an e-mail
  • Sending an e-mail
3. Using Outlook Express
  • Working with folders
  • Searching, sorting, and saving e-mail
  • Working online and offline
  • Using the Address Book
  • Adding a signature block
  • Blocking senders
4. Information sources
  • Usenet newsgroups
  • Newsgroups principles
  • News-reading software
  • Participating in newsgroups
  • Mailing lists and bulletin boards
  • Web sites and online databases
5. Real-time Internet communication
  • Real-time conversation
  • Using instant messaging clients
  • Video conferencing