Microsoft's Digital Literacy
Curriculum
The Digital Literacy Curriculum
consists of five courses:
 Computer
Basics
The
Internet and World Wide Web
Productivity
Programs
Computer
Security and Privacy
Digital
Lifestyles
Each course has an e-learning
module and an assessment. You can
also take the Certificate Test,
which covers topics from all five
courses. If you pass the Certificate
Test, you can print out a
personalized Digital Literacy
Certificate.
Get help choosing a course
Get more information on
assessments and the Certificate Test
Take the Digital Literacy
Certificate Test
Estimated Time:
2-3 hours
Prerequisites:
None
Description:
Computing is an
important part of
everyday life in the
twenty-first century.
From music and photos to
banking and
communicating, computers
have changed the way we
work and live. This
course introduces you to
the fundamentals of
computing, explains the
components of a
computer, explores
operating system basics,
and shows you how to use
a mouse and a keyboard.
View Course Topics
|
Estimated Time:
2-3 hours
Prerequisites:
Computer Basics course
or similar experience
Description: The
Internet can connect you
to people, information,
and resources around the
world. This course shows
you how to connect to
the Internet, browse Web
pages, navigate Web
sites, use search
engines, and exchange
e-mail with others.
View Course Topics
|
Estimated Time:
2-3 hours
Prerequisites:
Computer Basics course
or similar experience
Description:
There are hundreds of
software applications
available today. This
course explores the most
common productivity
software applications
used in business, in
education, and at home.
The course teaches you
how to select the right
software for your
project. You will learn
the fundamentals of word
processing,
spreadsheets,
presentation software,
and databases.
View Course Topics
|
Estimated Time:
2-3 hours
Prerequisites:
Computer Basics course
or similar experience
Description: It's
easy to use a computer
safely and responsibly
if you know how. This
course will help you
gain confidence in
computing by explaining
the risks and threats to
computer security and
privacy so that you can
understand and prevent
them.
View Course Topics
|
Estimated Time:
2-3 hours
Prerequisites:
Computer Basics course
or similar experience
Description: From
cell phones to MP3
players to digital
cameras, computers are
changing our everyday
lives. This course
introduces you to new
digital technologies,
including digital audio,
digital video, and
digital photography. It
explores how these and
other computing
technologies are
creating new career
opportunities and
shaping the world we
live in.
View Course Topics
|
|
Estimated Time:
30-60 minutes
Prerequisites:
All five Digital
Literacy Courses or
similar experience
Description: The
Digital Literacy
Certificate Test
consists of 30 questions
that cover key points
from all five of the
Digital Literacy
courses. When you
complete the test, you
will get a Learning Plan
with links to the course
lessons you may need to
review to master all of
the topics. If you get a
passing score, you will
be invited to
personalize and print a
Digital Literacy
Certificate.
Launch Digital Literacy
Certificate Test
(requires broadband
connection) |
Course Topics
|
Lesson 1:
Introduction to
Computers |
|
Objectives
1.1. Describe the
importance of computers
in today's world.
1.2. Identify the
main parts of a
computer.
1.3. Identify the
steps for starting a
computer.
1.4. Identify the
different groups of keys
on a keyboard.
1.5. Perform
different tasks by using
a mouse. |
|
Lesson 2: Common
Computer Terminology |
|
Objectives
2.1. Identify the
primary hardware
components of a
computer.
2.2. Define what an
operating system is and
its role.
2.3. Define the
term program.
2.4. Explain what
is meant by data.
2.5. Define the
term network and
identify the benefits of
networking.
2.6. Define the
term Internet.
|
|
Lesson 3: Computer
Performance and Features |
|
Objectives
3.1. Identify and
compare the features of
different types of
computers.
3.2. Explain the
role of memory.
3.3. Explain the
basics of computer
performance and how it
relates to productivity.
3.4. Describe the
different types of
productivity programs
and their uses.
3.5. Describe the
different types of
communications programs
and their uses.
3.6. Describe the
uses of educational and
entertainment programs.
|
|
Lesson 4: Computer
Operating Systems |
|
Objectives
4.1. Explain the
common functions of an
operating system.
4.2. Identify the
different components of
the Windows XP
interface.
4.3. Work with the
Windows XP interface
within programs.
4.4. Manage files
and folders in Microsoft
Windows Explorer.
4.5. Perform basic
file operations. |
|
Lesson 5: Career
Opportunities |
|
Objectives
5.1. Describe how
computers have become a
central part of everyday
life.
5.2. Identify
different career
opportunities available
for a person who is
computer literate.
|
|
Lesson 1: The
Internet |
|
Objectives
1.1. Define what
the Internet is and
elaborate on its uses.
1.2. Identify the
different components
required for an Internet
connection.
1.3. Identify the
features of different
types of Internet
connections.
1.4. Explain the
meaning of the term
bandwidth in
relation to the
different types of
Internet connections.
|
|
Lesson 2: The World
Wide Web |
|
Objectives
2.1. Define the
World Wide Web and
elaborate on its uses.
2.2. Explain how
Web addresses work.
2.3. Explain how to
use a browser to
navigate the Web.
2.4. Describe how
to evaluate the content
of a Web site.
2.5. Explain the
meaning of E-Commerce.
2.6. Define Web
browser plug-ins and
their uses. |
|
Lesson 3:
Communicating on the
Internet |
|
Objectives
3.1. Explain how
e-mail works.
3.2. Write and send
e-mail messages.
3.3. Manage e-mail
messages.
3.4. Identify the
features of online
communities.
3.5. Explain how
instant messaging works.
3.6. Explain how
Web authoring software
is used to create and
publish Web pages.
|
|
Lesson 1: Common
Features and Commands |
|
Objectives
1.1. Identify the
main components of the
user interface.
1.2. Identify the
purpose of the commands
on the menu bar.
1.3. Work with the
buttons on the toolbar.
1.4. Work with the
pointer in a program.
1.5. Work with text
and characters in a
program.
1.6. Explain the
use of primary keyboard
shortcuts and key
combinations. |
|
Lesson 2: Word
Processing |
|
Objectives
2.1. Perform basic
tasks by using a word
processor.
2.2. Edit and
format text.
2.3. Work with
tables and pictures.
2.4. Work with
language tools.
2.5. Identify the
various benefits of
using Desktop Publishing
(DTP). |
|
Lesson 3:
Spreadsheets |
|
Objectives
3.1. Identify the
different components of
a spreadsheet.
3.2. Enter data
into a spreadsheet.
3.3. Perform basic
mathematical operations
in a spreadsheet.
3.4. Insert charts
into a spreadsheet.
3.5. Explain the
purpose of options
available for printing a
spreadsheet. |
|
Lesson 4:
Presentation Programs |
|
Objectives
4.1. Identify the
basic functionalities
offered by presentation
programs.
4.2. Create a new
presentation.
4.3. Add graphics
and multimedia to a
presentation.
4.4. Identify the
options available to
print presentations in
different formats.
|
|
Lesson 5: Databases |
|
Objectives
5.1. Explain basic
database concepts.
5.2. Create a
database.
5.3. Work with
records in a database.
5.4. Explain what
database queries are and
how they work.
5.5 Explain what
reports are and their
uses. |
|
Lesson 1: An Overview
of Computer Security and
Privacy |
|
Objectives
1.1. Explain what
the terms security
and privacy mean
as they apply to
computing.
1.2. Identify
various threats in the
world of computers and
explain their
corresponding solutions.
|
|
Lesson 2: Protecting
Your Computer and Your
Data |
|
Objectives
2.1. Identify
various methods of
protecting the operating
system, software, and
data on your computer.
2.2. Identify
various ways of securing
online and network
transactions.
2.3. Identify
common measures for
securing e-mail and
instant messaging
transactions. |
|
Lesson 3: Protecting
Yourself and Your Family
from Security Threats |
|
Objectives
3.1. Identify
common measures used to
protect privacy.
3.2. Describe how
online predators work.
3.3. Identify the
guidelines to protect
children from online
predators. |
|
Lesson 4: Keeping
Your Computer Secure and
Updated |
|
Objectives
4.1. Explain the
purpose of different
security settings on
your computer.
4.2. Identify the
options available for
keeping your computer up
to date. |
|
Lesson 5: Computer
Ethics |
|
Objectives
5.1. Explain what
the term intellectual
property means as it
applies to computing.
5.2 Identify the
various copyright
violation acts and their
preventive measures.
5.3. Identify the
various legal concerns
associated with
information exchange.
|
|
Lesson 1:The Modern
Digital Experience |
|
Objectives
1.1. Identify the
benefits of the
expanding scope of
digital technology.
1.2. Explain how
merging technologies
expands the features of
digital devices. |
|
Lesson 2: Digital
Audio |
|
Objectives
2.1. Identify the
characteristics of
digital audio.
2.2. Explain the
concepts of recording,
copying, and converting
digital audio.
2.3. Identify the
features of advanced
speech technologies.
|
|
Lesson 3: Digital
Video |
|
Objectives
3.1. Identify the
characteristics of
digital video.
3.2. Describe what
digital video editing is
and the various output
formats for digital
video.
3.3. Identify the
features of different
Web video technologies.
|
|
Lesson 4: Digital
Photography |
|
Objectives
4.1. Explain the
benefits, features, and
working of a digital
camera.
4.2. Describe how
digital images can be
managed and edited.
4.3. Identify the
features of different
types of printers that
are available for
printing photos. |
|
Lesson 5: Digital
Technology and Career
Opportunities |
|
Objectives
5.1. Explain how
digital technology
enables you to work
remotely.
5.2. Identify
different career
opportunities available
in the digital
technology world. |
|
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