Introduction to Digital Skills

Course curriculum

The Fantastic World of Devices: Your cell phone or laptop may be the most powerful computer you have ever had. Let’s take a step back and learn what a “computer” is. Whether a mobile device, a tablet, a laptop or a desktop, these devices all share many common characteristics and behaviours. We’ll look at CPU, RAM, and various components like SSD vs HDD. Then, we’ll explore how devices of all kinds “see” the real world: units of measurement, file types, photos/videos, music and more. We’ll also explain what a “program” is, the job of a programmer and how computers can execute instructions. 

Communicating with Others: Even the most experienced “IT guys”, programmers and nerds need help sometimes, and often the best way to do that is by asking the right kind of question to people who are likely to have the answer. You’ll learn how to understand the problems you may encounter in the digital world – and how to describe your situation in a support ticket that can be easily understood. 

You, Your Devices and Your Files: Behind the screen of any computer is the operating system, the beating heart of a digital device. We’ll look at the various operating systems and how they organize data and files. We’ll also explore how to speak with this system using a mouse – and using a keyboard. 

We Are Connected: Our use of devices exploded by the ability to use them to connect to each other. But how does this work? We’ll learn about networks and networking, including the most famous network – the Internet – and one of its many children, the World Wide Web. 

Your Environment: Your devices are only as limited – or powerful – as you allow them to be. We’ll look at setting up and managing your apps and programs, Internet connections, e-mail and cloud services. In an increasingly remote working world, you’ll learn to master this environment and gain digital independence. 

Staying Safe in a Dangerous Digital World: There is a joke that says there are two kinds of companies: those who know they have been hacked, and those who do not. Privacy and cybersecurity are topics that companies and individuals alike need to master. We’ll help you stay safer online – while clearing up some (dangerous) misconceptions. 

The Bigger Digital World: There is so much new happening in the digital world that it’s hard to keep up with it all! We’ll help you see the bigger picture by diving into key topics that you may have heard of, and should understand: big data, the Internet of Things, Augmented Reality, cookies, SEO, “fake news”, Industry 4.0, social media, cognitive biases, blockchain, trackers, Artificial Intelligence… 

Don’t Lose Anything: One day, your device will die: they always do. We’ll give you a tool kit to prepare yourself for this, with a backup plan – and more. 

_{These course details are subject to change; please refer to the program outline at the time of registration.}