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Unit 1 - Introduction to Digital Literacy
Unit 1 - Introduction to Digital Literacy
Skills
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Learning Outcome
• After completing this course, you should be able to:
i. Understand the significance of digital literacy in today's society and its impact on various
aspects of life, including education, employment, communication, and civic engagement.
ii. Acquire knowledge of internet basics, including web browsers, search engines, and online
safety measures such as recognizing and avoiding phishing scams and malware.
iii. Use Microsoft Word to create professionally formatted documents that include objects such as
a table, charts, images, table of contents, index, header and footer, and dates;
iv. Create, save, and prepare for printing a Microsoft Excel worksheet that includes text,
numeric, formulas, functions, and dates;
v. Create Microsoft PowerPoint presentations that include video, pictures, and animation.
vi. Create, upload, organize, and manage files and folders within Google Drive
vii. Use some features of the Moodle platform for lectures, discussions, online quizzes, and
submission of assignments
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Course Outline
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Unit I – Introduction to Digital Literacy
• Learning Objectives
• At the end of the unit, you should be able to:
• Explain the need for digital literacy skills in the 21st century.
• Identify the types of computers
• Explain the main component of the computer
• Explain the factors to consider when buying a computer
• Familiarize yourself with the basic features of the Windows Operating system
• Check the device specifications of the computers
• Actively demonstrate the use of browsers in accessing and searching for information on the
internet.
• Create and manage an E-mail account
• Demonstrate the use of Google Drive
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What is Digital Literacy?
• Digital literacy involves having a current knowledge and
understanding of computers, mobile devices, the
Internet, and related technologies.
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Digital Literacy skills expected of students
• Ability to type quickly and accurately using touch typing techniques.
• Understanding how to navigate the internet safely and effectively using web browsers.
• Knowing how to use search engines efficiently to find information online.
• Ability to critically evaluate the credibility and reliability of online sources.
• Proficiency in composing, sending, and managing emails, including etiquette and
organization.
• Awareness of online safety practices, including protecting personal information and
recognizing online threats like phishing.
• Understanding of responsible and ethical behavior online, including proper conduct in
social media and online communities
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Digital Literacy skills expected of students (Cont.)
• Ability to organize and manage files and folders on a computer or cloud storage
platform
• Familiarity with word processing software for writing essays, reports, and other
documents.
• Basic skills in creating and delivering presentations using PowerPoint or Google Slides.
• Understanding of basic spreadsheet functions for organizing data and performing
simple calculations.
• Basic knowledge of editing images, videos, or audio files for school projects or
presentations.
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Digital Literacy skills expected of students (Cont.)
• Ability to collaborate with peers on projects using online tools such as Google Drive or
Microsoft Office 365.
• Ability to use digital tools to solve problems and overcome challenges encountered
during schoolwork.
• Knowing how to effectively research topics using various online resources, including
academic databases and libraries.
• Using digital tools such as calendars and task managers to organize and manage
schoolwork and deadlines.
• Being open to learning new digital tools and technologies as they become available or
necessary for academic success.
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Digital Literacy skills expected of students (Cont.)
• Familiarity with operating systems like Windows, macOS, and Linux, including basic
navigation and file management.
• Ability to identify and resolve common computer problems like software errors, internet
connectivity issues, and printer malfunctions.
• Understanding essential computer hardware components such as the CPU, RAM, hard
drive, and peripherals like keyboards, mice, and monitors.
• Understanding of cloud storage services like Google Drive, Dropbox, or Microsoft
OneDrive for storing and sharing files.
• Awareness of data privacy principles and best practices for safeguarding personal
and sensitive information.
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What is a computer?
• An electronic device that processes data into
information that is useful to people.
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Core functions of a computer
i. It gathers data (or allows users to input data).
ii. It processes that data into information.
iii. It outputs data or information.
iv. It stores data and information.
v. It communicates with other devices (Additional
functionality)
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Is the microwave oven a type of computer?
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Types of Computers
1.Personal computers
• Computers designed for only one person to use at a
time
2.Multi-user computers
• Computers designed to serve group of people
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Personal Computers (PC)
• Desktop PC
• Notebook PC (Laptop)
• 2-in-1 Laptop
• Tablet PC
• Smartphone 15 www.ucc.edu.gh
Smartphone
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Smartphone Apps
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Laptop (Notebook)
Apple’s Macbook
Windows based laptop
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Windows based PCs
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Apple - MacBook
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Desktop PC
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All-in-one Desktop PC
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2-in-1 Laptop
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Tablets
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Top laptop brands
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Source: https://mylaptopguide.com/best-laptop-brands/
Factors to consider when buying a computer
1.Purpose or use
2.Brand
3.Price (budget)
4.Operating System type (Windows, Macintosh, Chromebook,
Linux)
5.Specs (Memory, storage (SSD, HDD), Processor, Screen Size,
weight, colour etc)
6.Battery Life
7.After sale services (warranty etc)
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Computer System
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Components of a computer
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Types of software
Desktop OS
System Operating • Windows
Software System • Macintosh
• Linux/Unix(Ubuntu)
• Chrome OS
Software
Examples of Apps
• Office Suite
Application
• Browser
Software
• Media player
• Adobe reader
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Chrome OS Interface
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Ubuntu OS
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Mac OS
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Role of the OS
i. starting and shutting down a computer or mobile device,
ii. providing a user interface,
iii. managing programs,
iv. managing memory and storage,
v. monitoring performance,
vi. providing file management and other device or media-related
tasks
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Overview of Windows OS
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WHAT IS WINDOWS ?
If the computer was off and then turned on, the first screen you will see is called the
Lockscreen.
If the computer was in “sleep” mode, move the mouse or press any key and you will open
the Windows desktop screen.
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THE DESKTOP - Once your computer has
finished starting up, the first thing you'll see is
the desktop.
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THE START MENU
When you click on the Start (sometimes called the
Microsoft) button at the bottom left of the screen or the
one on the left side of the keyboard, you get two panels
side by side.
• The close button is the red box with the white “x” in it.
• To close a window, click on this button.
•Note: If you haven’t saved your document, a small window will pop up, telling you that you need to
do this.
•To re-open an icon of the program from the taskbar, left click the icon again, using the left mouse
button.
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HOW TO FIND AND
OPEN A PROGRAM
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SEARCH WINDOW
Documents
Pictures
On the right-side, the Taskbar features the Notification Area which informs the user
of different things like the state of the Internet connection, or the charge of a laptop
battery.
The icons in the middle of the Taskbar are “pinned” applications, which is a way to have
a quick access to applications you use frequently.
“Pinned” applications will stay in the Taskbar until you “unpin” them.
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File Explorer is the file management application used by
Windows operating systems to browse, manage, and find folders
and files.
To access and open File Explorer, click on the yellow folder icon in the
Taskbar.
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Unless “This PC” is already highlighted, click on it and you will see this screen that has the
4 types of folders, where your work will be saved to.
It also has the very helpful ribbon at the top, with the 2 “Computer” and “View” tabs at the top
THE 4 TYPES OF
FOLDERS
1. DOCUMENTS
(FOR TEXT)
2. PICTURES
3. MUSIC
4. VIDEOS
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My Documents
MY DOCUMENTS
If you don’t “tell” the computer to do otherwise, it “looks” at the extension of the
item and saves it to:
You can purchase a flash drive for less than $20 at just about
any retail store with an electronics department, and even at
some grocery stores and pharmacies.
They come in the same outer size but can be purchased with
memory ranging from 64 Megabytes (64 million bytes) to 256
Gigabytes (256 Billion bytes) and more.
The 256 Gigabyte flash drive in my hand will hold a stack It can also hold 3,760 photos,
of typed pages that are 67,072 feet high (12.7 miles 83,333 songs, or 1,344 video30s !!
high9/)5,/20a23s compared to Mt. Everest, which is 5.5 miles high
The NOTIFICATION ARE is on the right side of the Windows Taskbar. To see the items in it, click on
the upward-pointing “v,” which will bring up a small window.
• It shows the icon of a flash drive, if it is in the slot for it in your computer, as well as
any notifications or alerts, about your computer.
• Below it, on the right side of the taskbar, you can see your Wi-fi Internet
connection, or the battery level of a laptop.
If you play music
on your computer,
you can control
the volume by
clicking on the
“speaker” icon,
and then move
the dot on the
horizontal line, to
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t or left. 33
Checking the Time and Date
• The time on your computer
clock is very accurate as it is
synchronized with a time
server computer.
When this happens, you can click the thin stripe at the bottom-right corner of the taskbar, to
minimize all open windows. Just click it again to restore the minimized windows.
You can also use a shortcut by holding down the “Windows” key, and the “d” key.
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DELETE: - If you press the delete key to delete a document or a folder, it will be put into the
“Recycle Bin” and you can get it back whenever you want, by going into the Recycle Bin, look
for your file and then click on “Restore”.
SHIFT-DELETE:
If you are sure that you want to permanently delete it, hold the Shift key down while
you press the delete button and then it will be removed.
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Checking PC’s Specification
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Checking PC’s Specification
• Identify This PC icon on the
computer Desktop.
• If you can't find the This PC icon, access the
System settings by right-clicking on an empty
space on the desktop and selecting Personalize
from the context menu.
• Click on themes from the left side
• Click on Desktop Icons Settings from the
related settings list
• The Desktop Icon Settings window is displayed,
check or select computer and click on Ok
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Checking PC’s Specification – Option 1
Pop-up Window
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Checking PC’s Specification – Option 1
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Checking PC’s Specification – Option 1
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Device Specification
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Checking for Storage capacity
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Internet Basis
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What is the Internet?
• Internet is a global network that connects billions of
computers across the world with each other and to the
World Wide Web.
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Getting Connected to the Internet
• WiFi Hotspot
• Cellular networks
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Internet Devices
MIFI
USB Modem
Router
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What is the World Wide Web (WWW) or Web?
• The web is part of the Internet that is accessed through a special
program (called a browser) and is made up of many linked
documents.
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Web browsers
• Web browser is software that allows you to locate, view, and
navigate the Web.
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URLs and the address bar
for Uniform
Resource
Locator). Edge Browser
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Firefox Browser www.ucc.edu.gh
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Navigation buttons
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Navigation buttons
• The Refresh button will reload the current page. If a website stops
working, try using the Refresh button
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Bookmarks and history
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Bookmarks and history
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Search Engines
• A search engine is
software that finds
websites, web
pages, images,
videos, news, maps,
and other
information about a
specific topic.
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How to search for Information using a search engine
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How to search for Information using a search engine
• Type the search term or keywords on the search box
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How to search for Information using a search engine
• Search results is displayed
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How to search for Information using a search engine
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Creating and Managing E-Mail Account
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What is E-Mail?
• E-mail, short for Electronic Mail, consists of messages sent and
received online.
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Setting Up a Gmail Account
• Go to the Gmail
site by typing
mail.google.com
into the address
bar at the top of
the screen, and
press the Enter key
on your keyboard.
• Click on the Create
an Account link
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Setting Up a Gmail Account
• Choose the
appropriate
option (For
myself) and
proceed to the
next step
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Setting Up a Gmail Account
• Fill in the
required
information
and click on
Next
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Setting Up a Gmail Account
• Fill in the
required
information
and click on
Next
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Setting Up a Gmail Account
• You are
expected to
select the option
that will allow
you to create
your own emaill
address
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Setting Up a Gmail Account
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Setting Up a Gmail Account
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Setting Up a Gmail Account
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Setting Up a Gmail Account
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Gmail Account is set up
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Managing Your E-Mail
• Once you have set up your e-mail account, you can check your
mail anywhere you can access the Internet. This is how it is done:
–Connect to the Internet by double-clicking the Internet browser icon on
the Desktop.
–Go to the Gmail site by typing gmail.com into the address bar at the
top of the screen.
–Type your Google Username and Password into the box.
–You will be directed to your inbox when you logon
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Composing and Sending Messages
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Composing and Sending Messages
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Composing and Sending Messages
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Composing and Sending Messages
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Attaching a file to your message
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Attaching a file to your message
• Clicking on the paperclip
icon opens the Attachment
window:
• Use the window to navigate
to the right file.
• Gmail will automatically
attach the files to your
message.
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Attaching a file to your message
• Gmail will automatically
attach the files to your
message.
• Click Send to send the
message.
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Introduction to Google Drive
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What is Google Drive?
• Google Drive is Google’s online cloud-based file storage product. It stores your files
on Google’s servers where they can be accessed from anywhere via the Internet,
either through a web browser or through synchronizing the files you need to your local
devices.
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Google Drive Interface
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Google Drive Interface
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Google Drive Interface
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Google Drive Interface
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Google Drive Interface
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Uploading New Files and Folders
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How to Share a File
• With any
number of
items selected
in your Google
Drive, you can
share them by
right-clicking
and selecting
Share from the
menu.
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How to Share Files
• That will bring up the basic Sharing
Window, which is fine to use when you
intend to share a file with a few
recipients quickly using the default
sharing settings. (The default settings
will give only those people you list, and
no one else, edit rights to the shared
files.) .
• Alternatively, you can click on the copy
link.
• This will copy a link to shared file.
• Anyone with access to link can view the
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How to Share Files
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