This section provides links to digital literacy courses and programs for tutors and learners interested in improving their digital literacy skills. Resources are grouped in the following sections:
These programs and courses are designed for learners with low literacy in English.
For additional resources, including quick guides to using new devices, platforms and Apps, go to our online resources for Digital Literacy page.
Digital Literacy Skills Programs and Tutor Guides
- ABC Life Literacy – Internet Matters Workbook
ABC Life Literacy – Internet Matters Workbook
This downloadable workbook takes you and your learner through the basics of the internet. Each section outlines what your learner needs to know and do to use the internet. The 35-page workbook contains pictures and spaces for notes.
To download a copy of the workbook, go to: https://abclifeliteracy.ca/internet-matters-workbook/
- ABC Life Literacy – Searching Safely Online Workbook
ABC Life Literacy – Searching Safely Online Workbook This downloadable workbook takes you and your learner through the basics of the internet safety. In this workbook, you will explore some of the basics of internet
searches and offer tips you can use to practice searching. The 7-page workbook contains pictures and spaces for notes. A great set of activities to do in a session with your learner.To download a copy of the workbook, go to: https://abclifeliteracy.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/ABC-InternetMatters-Safety.pdf
- LU Basic Computer Skills Course – A Tutor’s Guide
LU Basic Computer Skills Course – A Tutor’s GuideThis tutors guide was developed by LU in 2012. The guide provides a series of lesson plans for tutors who want to work with their learner on basic computer skills. In Module 1, learners are introduced to parts of the computer, keyboard, screen and mouse. Subsequent modules introduce email, internet and basic word processing (formatting) skills. Each lesson plan has accompanying handouts and worksheets.
Tutors using this program with their learner are advised to review the module to ensure the information is current and up-to-date.
Click HERE to access the LU Basic Computer Skills Course
- LU Basic Digital Skills Self Assessment Checklist
LU Basic Digital Skills Self Assessment ChecklistBefore you start working on digital skills, it is always a good idea to list the skills you already have. Use this checklist to get a clear picture of the skills you already have. Use it to help you to identify and prioritize the skills you want to acquire or improve.
Click HERE to access the LU Basic Digital Skills Self Assessment Checklist
- NorthStar – Basic Computer Course Online
NorthStar – Basic Computer Course Online 
NorthStar is part of Literacy Minnesota. They have developed an online basic computer skills course for adults with low literacy skills. In this free online course, participants learn about different devices. They learn their way around each device, basic mouse and keyboard navigation skills, and some of the settings and organization features on a device (e.g., files, screen brightness)
The course features a set of interactive slides with an audio option. Participants can take a short assessment before and after. At the end of the course they can print off a record of their score. A great way to introduce a learner to computer basics.
To access the course, go to: https://assessment.digitalliteracyassessment.org/basic-computer-skills/practice/getting-started-with-computers
How To Tutorials: New Devices, Platforms, Apps
- ABC Life Literacy – Tech Talk Tuesday Webinars
ABC Life Literacy – Tech Talk Tuesday WebinarsABC Life Literacy is holding webinars (about 45 minutes each) for tutors to hear more information about technology and how to use it. You can find recordings of these webinars at the link below. Topics include:
- How to Use Zoom & Google Meet (formerly Google Hangouts)
- How to Use WhatsApp & FaceTime
- How to Use Skype & GoToWebinar
To find links to each webinar go to: https://abclifeliteracy.ca/blog-posts/introducing-a-webinar-series-on-remote-program-delivery/
- ABC Life Literacy – Youth Teaching Adults
ABC Life Literacy Canada – Youth Teaching Adults Lesson Plans
ABC Life Literacy and Youth Teaching Adults have developed a series of lesson plans for tutors working with adult learners.
The site contains downloadable PDF instructions on how to teach the basics when using various devices and applications. Developed as lesson plans, these guides can be used by a tutor to lead a session with their learner. Additional handouts are available for a learner to follow independently or as a quick guide to take away. Topics include Skype, Zoom, Google, Gmail, YouTube, Facetime, Facebook, Facebook Messenger, Netflix, Spotify, WhatsApp, on computers and mobile devices (apple and android).
To download a copy of any lesson plan, go to: https://youthteachingadults.ca/resources
- LU Quick Sheets for Digital Literacy
LU Quick Sheets For Digital Literacy
Getting started with a new device, platform or App can be challenging, particularly if you are helping someone else get started remotely. Here are some quick guides that you might find useful.
- LU quick sheet – Digital etiquette for online tutoring
- LU quick sheet – Joining a Zoom meeting
- LU quick sheet – Protecting your personal safety online
- LU quick sheet – Safety rules working online
- LU quick sheet – Selecting passwords
- LU quick sheet – Apple device mirror screening on Zoom
- LU tutorial video – the 40-minute Zoom meeting workaround
- Zoom 40 Minute Time Limit – Workaround
Zoom 40 Minute Time Limit – Workaround
In 2022, Zoom introduced a 40 minute limit on meeting times even for 2 people for people with free accounts. For tutors and learners who had got used to using Zoom for their sessions, this proved very disruptive.
Happily, there is a way to work around this time limit with a free Zoom account.
In this video, we take you step by step through one possible work around that you can use in a Zoom session with your learner.
We hope you find it useful.
Click play to watch the video. Pause at any time.
