Introduction to Digital Skills

Course aim

This is a course suitable for beginners who wish to gain confidence and skills in using a computer

Do I need any particular skills or experience?

• You will need your own personal email address so that you’re able to login to the WEA’s digital learning platform: WEA Canvas. You will need to be able to understand how to follow URL links to pages on the internet. If you want to understand more about Canvas please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• No skills or experience needed
• This course is for beginners

By the end of the course I should be able to:

• Use a word processing application to create and edit a document, save it in a folder and identify and solve any simple technical problems.
• Compose an email to a friend, family or an organisation (the Job Centre, your local council or MP) and add an attachment such as a document, photo or CV etc.
• Choose a search engine to source different types of information on the internet, ie, job searches, travel information, using digital maps, supermarket opening hours, hand washing advice, checking the news/weather, find a favourite recipe etc.
• Complete and submit online forms securely and demonstrate how to buy an item or service online.
• Explain how to stay cyber safe, protect your computer from viruses, recognise online scams or fraud and know who to report concerns about any online content.

How will I be taught?

• The WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas will be used to provide resources or to support lessons, enable assessment, provide learner feedback and for other activities for individuals away from the course. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• Most of your learning will take place in your class, but one or two sessions will be online using WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas, working by yourself or engaging with other students. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• The WEA tutor will use a range of different teaching and learning methods and encourage you and the group to be actively involved in your learning

What kind of feedback can I expect?

• A range of informal activities will be used by the tutor to see what you are learning which may include quizzes, question and answer, small projects and discussion
• You will have opportunities to discuss your progress with your tutor
• You will be encouraged to share your work with the group and discuss your learning
• A file of work will be kept which will help to record your progress
• All learners are given verbal as well as written feedback

What else do I need to know?

• You will need a personal email address to join the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas so that you can receive resources, record your progress and achievement and to work with others and share ideas. If you want to understand more about our digital learning platform please visit: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• All materials will be provided

Pre-course work, reading and information sources

• You will have access to course resources and links to wider learning through the WEA’s digital learning platform, Canvas: http://bit.ly/WEAonline
• No pre reading or pre course work is required

What can I do next?

• Progress to another WEA course
• Progress to a course with another provider
• This course could lead to a range of job opportunities. Follow link to National Careers Service for more details https://nationalcareersservice.direct.gov.uk/
• Become involved with the WEA in a range of voluntary work and other activities including campaigning as a WEA member
• Become involved as a volunteer for a WEA partner or another organisation
• Access the WEA What Next? booklet here http://www.wea.org.uk/learn-wea/what-can-i-do-next