Microsoft Digital Literacy

Microsoft’s Digital Literacy website is dedicated to teaching and assessing computer concepts and skills. The site is aimed at users with little to no existing computer skills. Microsoft supplies curricula for three levels of users:

• Microsoft Digital Literacy Basic curriculum
  
  
• Microsoft Digital Literacy Standard curriculum
  
  
• Microsoft Digital Literacy Advanced curriculum

The Basic Curriculum contains one course with three beginning lessons. “Welcome to the World of Computers” gives information on how computers are used in the modern world and how they can be beneficial in the user’s life. “Mousing Around” gives tuition on how to use a mouse correctly and what functions it can provide. “Keyboarding” provides instruction on correct hand placement and the different function keys.

The Standard Curriculum is made up of five courses. “Computer Basics” introduces the user 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. “The Internet and the World Wide Web” shows the user how to connect to the Internet, browse Web pages, navigate Web sites, use search engines, and exchange e-mail with others. “Productivity Programs” teaches the user how to select the right software for your project. You will learn the fundamentals of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation software, and databases. “Computer Security and Privacy” helps the user gain confidence in computing by explaining the risks and threats to computer security and privacy so that they can understand and prevent them. And “Digital Lifestyles” introduces the user to new digital technologies, including digital audio, digital video, and digital photography.

The Advanced Curriculum has three courses. “Creating and Email Account” does just that: it takes the user through the steps of making a free Windows Live email account. “Writing a Great Resume by Using Microsoft Office Word 2007” describes the different types of resumes, how to access and use resume templates from Microsoft Office Online, and to create a resume by using Word 2007. “Finding and Evaluating Resources on the Web” describes how a search engine works and demonstrates ways in which it helps you to find varied resources on the Web.

The lessons and assessments can be completed online (broadband connection required) or downloaded and completed offline. These courses can be valuable for helping the inexperienced become more familiar and comfortable with using computers in their daily lives.

*Important note: at the time this review was written, the Digital Literacy courses would only work with Microsoft Internet Explorer on a computer with Microsoft Silverlight installed.