Getting started with a new device, platform or App can be challenging, particularly if you are helping someone else to get started remotely. Here are some quick guides that you and your learner might find useful.
The guides in this section are suitable for adults with low literacy and/or who are new to using devices like Smart Phones, laptops or tablets.
- 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 – 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
- Connected Canadians Training and Support
Connected Canadians Training and Support 
Connected Canadians is a nonprofit organization that promotes digital literacy skills for older adults by providing free technology training and support.
Seniors (55+) can request tutors to provide training and support online. One-on-ones are normally about 60 mins in length. Examples of topics covered include:
- Setting up and using email (including how to send photos)
- How to video chat (e.g FaceTime / Skype / Zoom)
- Communicating by text using your phone
- Facebook/YouTube basics
- How the Internet can help you cook
- Music and the Internet
To find out more, visit their website at: https://www.connectedcanadians.ca/one-on-ones
- GCF Global – Basic Computer Skills Tutorials
GCF Global – Basic Computer Skills – Tutorials GCF Global is a non-profit that provides a huge number of different free tutorials. This series of tutorials is designed for people wanting to improve their computer skills. Topics include basic computer skills, Office 365 (Word, Excel, Powerpoint), Internet skills and Google. The content of each tutorial is clearly laid out with nice graphics and videos.
The course features a set of interactive steps. Participants can take a short quiz at the end of each tutorial to test their skills. A great way to improve your computer and digital knowledge and skills. Learners can use the resource to work independently or with a tutor.
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Sync Sisters YouTube Tutorials
Sync Sisters YouTube Channel This YouTube channel hosts a large collection of tutorials focused on Apple devices (Mac, iPad, iPhone, iWatch) and popular applications (Google, email, messaging, photos, contacts).
Tutorials, termed “Tech Bits”, are narrated by the sisters Barbara and Karen. Each tutorial gives demonstrations. The presentation is upbeat, conversational, clear, well-structured and moderately paced. Tutorials last, on average, 8 – 10 minutes with some stretching to 15 – 30 minutes. Each tutorial has been made in the last 2 – 5 years, so while most is relevant, some features of the technology may have changed.
Our info sheet lists some of the tutorials that seem most relevant to tutors and learners working remotely. To see a complete list of their tutorials, you can click on the link, below, and go to their YouTube channel.
- 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.
