Digital Literacy
From Training
Contents |
Basic Adult Digital Literacy
Description
The days are gone when the entry-level employee could remain unaffected by computers in any industry. Truck drivers, electrical linemen, factory workers are all required now to possess at least basic skill on the computer.
Available Programs
There are two large and widely used programs for digital literacy in the world. ECDL/ICDL and IC3.
The European Computer Driving License/International Computer Driving License is widely used in much if the world and is part of a wider portfolio of standardized certifications. The ICDL program has not been used extensively in the US so far and does not look to be a serious competitor with IC3 any time soon.
Internet Computing and Core Certification (IC3) is another world-wide certification and is sponsored by Certiport. IC3 is used extensively in American workforce retraining and Displaced Worker programs. IC3 also meets the eighth-grade No Child Left Behind standards and is used in many school programs. SawyerTraining, Inc. has adopted the IC3 as our literacy standard and we are promoting it's adoption in the workplace and community.
- See how IC3 and ICDL fit into a certification roadmap.
- See a PowerPoint presentation explaining IC3.
- See an IDC white paper entitled "Preventing Bad Hires: The Value of Objective PreHire Assessment".
- See Microsoft's Research Report "Microsoft Office Specialist: Improving the Workplace" (dated but still valid).
Why IC3?
N.B. Some of these videos must be downloaded. Some will play in your browser. The ones that play in your browser may take a bit of time to load depending on your connection. You can also right click and download them for later.
- 30 second commercial (.mpg)
- The Digital Divide (.wmv)
- Cleveland Adopts IC3 for Digital Literacy (.wmv)
- Lee Iacocca on why we need Digital Literacy (.wmv)
Practice Tests
Practice tests are critical to helping the student succeed on the exams. IC3 exams are often the first time students have taken a computer-based exam. Many students have very high anxiety about taking any type of test. Practice tests help acclimate students to the test environment and give them confidence in their skills.
Certiport has just recently rolled out new practice exams to support the IC3 GS3 standards and exams. We will post examples and information on these as soon as they become available.
Prerequisites
None. The point of the Digital Literacy program is to bring you up-to-speed and make you comfortable and marketable in a computer-based world.
Pricing
IC3 certification training is priced differently than other programs. The cost is typically all inclusive and covers the textbook, training, and three exam vouchers (one for each segment).
SawyerTraining, Inc. is an authorized Certiport testing center for IC3 and uses only authorized IC3 instructors. We can also provide on-site testing for groups.
Contact SawyerTraining, Inc. directly for pricing information (tel: 612.234.1298 or email: Sales@sawyerTraining.com)
Exams
There are three exams associated with the IC3 program. Don't worry. These are not high-pressure exams and the training we provide will help you succeed at test time. We recommend you take your exams shortly after training while your knowledge and skills are still fresh.
For those taking the exams, be prepared to spend several hours reading and reviewing outside of class to sufficiently prepare for the exams.
Assessments
Assessments are an ideal way for Human Resource departments to assure applicants have the necessary skills for their jobs before hiring. Assessments are less pressure for a candidate and less expensive for the organization while still giving an very accurate measure of the candidate's skill. Using assessments allows organizations to be fair and consistent in their evaluation of applicants and reduce training and support costs post-hire. Organizations can also use assessments in place of exams either before or after training (or both) to evaluate employee skills and training effectiveness.
Customization
Digital Literacy programs can be standardized using the curriculum mapped to IC3 or ICDL. Training can also be highly customized to fit the specific need of an organization. Customized modules on security and use policies, for example, can be added to build comprehensive programs. An extensive needs analysis and plan for implementation and outcomes will be part of any digital literacy program. SawyerTraining can provide customized materials in line with your custom program.
Course Outline
Module 1: Computing Fundamentals
- Introducing Computers
- What makes a computer a computer
- How computers are used today
- Types of computers
- Computer systems
- Computer networks
- Computer Hardware
- System components
- Types of computer memory
- Input devices
- Output devices
- Storage devices
- Maintaining and Protecting Hardware
- Evaluating hardware components and upgrades
- Connecting devices to the computer
- routine maintenance
- Troubleshooting
- Protecting computer systems from theft and damage
- Computer Software
- Hardware vs. software
- Types of software
- Microcomputer operating systems
- User interfaces
- Essential Computer Skills
- Starting and shutting down the computer
- Working with storage media
- Opening and closing a window
- Working with files and folders
- Starting and exiting a program
- Installing new software
- Using Technology to Solve Problems
- Problem solving
- Steps in the problem-solving process
- Technological tools can help solve problems
- The Windows Operating System
- The Windows world
- Windows updates
- Starting Windows
- Moving around the desktop
- Identifying the parts of a window
- Navigating through Windows
- The Windows Help feature
- Shutting down Windows
- Changing Settings and Customizing the Desktop
- The control panel
- Changing control panel settings
- The Desktop
- Customizing the desktop
- Using shortcuts
- Using Windows Explorer
- The Explorer window
- Setting Explorer options
- Viewing the contents of a drive or folder
- Displaying file properties
- Finding files and folders
- File Management with Windows Explorer
- Creating folders
- Naming folders and files
- Selecting files
- Copying, moving, and deleting files
- Managing a hard drive
Module 2: Key Applications
- Using Microsoft Office 2003
- Starting an Office 2003 application
- Navigating the Windows application screens
- Understanding the information in the application window
- Customizing the document window
- Opening, saving, and printing documents
- Closing documents and applications
- Getting help
- Word Essentials
- Creating a new document
- Entering text in a document
- Selecting text
- Displaying nonprinting characters
- Changing vies
- Using the track changes and comments features
- Editing and Formatting Documents
- Deleting and inserting characters
- Undo, redo, and repeat
- Copying and moving text
- Inserting special text: date, time, and special characters
- Using find and replace
- Formatting text
- Using format painter
- Using the document statistics tools
- Checking spelling and grammar
- Formatting a document for printing
- Working with Tables
- Creating a table
- Inserting and deleting rows and columns
- Formatting tables
- Inserting and editing text in a table
- Modifying the table structure
- Sorting data in a table
- Converting text to a table and a table to text
- Enhancing Documents
- Using Columns, borders, and shading
- Page numbers, headers, and footers
- Footnotes and endnotes
- Inserting graphics
- Using drawing tools
- Templates and styles
- Enhancing your document with text tools
- Excel Essentials
- Identifying the parts of the Excel screen
- Navigating through a worksheet
- Inserting and deleting rows and columns
- Changing column width and row height
- Working with data in worksheet cells
- Formatting the contents of a cell
- The undo and redo features
- Organizing Worksheets
- Merging cells
- Entering data with the autofill command
- Applying autoformats
- Creating multiple worksheets
- Sorting data
- Printing a worksheet
- Creating Formulas and Charting Data
- Formulas
- Relative and absolute cell references
- Using autosum
- Function formulas
- Create a chart
- Edit chart data
- Editing chart formats and options
- Interpreting worksheet and chart data
- PowerPoint Essentials
- Opening and saving an existing presentation
- Identifying the parts of the PowerPoint screen
- Navigating through a presentation
- Changing the slide view
- Creating a new presentation
- Applying a design template
- Adding, deleting, and duplicating slides
- Previewing a presentation
- Enhancing Presentations with Multimedia Effects
- Adding information to a slide
- Formatting text
- Inserting graphics
- Changing slide layout
- Transitions
- Changing the order of slides in a presentation
- Printing handouts and speaker notes
- Access Essentials
- Identifying the parts of the Access screen
- Creating a database table
- Modifying a database table
- Editing database records
- Adding and deleting records
- Managing and Reporting Database Information
- Changing the datasheet layout
- Creating a form
- Sorting data in datasheet view
- Finding and replacing data
- Creating queries and reports
- Mailing labels
Module 3: Living Online
- Networks and Telecommunication
- Networks
- Communications media
- Network hardware
- Types of networks
- Network operating systems software
- E-mail and Effective Electronic Communication
- Electronic mail
- Sending and receiving e-mail
- Organizing and managing e-mail
- Professional and effective electronic communication
- Special e-mail features
- Managing an address book
- Other forms of electronic communication
- Internet Essentials
- How the internet works
- Accessing the internet
- Browser basics
- Customizing browser settings
- Communicating on the internet
- Working with web pages
- Researching on the Internet
- Searching online
- Search engines
- Techniques for searching
- Saving, copying, and printing information from websites
- Bookmarking and downloading web sites
- Evaluating Online Information
- Types of internet resources
- Criteria for evaluating electronic resources
- Assessing information on web sites
- Web sites and copyright rules
- Technology and Society
- E-commerce
- Technology and education
- Science and technological innovation
- The wired workplace
- Security, Privacy, and Ethics Online
- Safeguarding software and data
- Computer crime
- Security issues
- Preserving privacy
- Other legal and ethical issues
- Responsibilities of technology users
- Maintaining a safe working environment


