Digital
Literacy
Digital literacy is more than simply knowing how to use digital tools. It is the
ability to locate, organize, understand, evaluate, and analyze information using
digital technology.
Teaching
21st Century Peer
with
Learning
Coaching
Technology Design
Key Benefits
Building Necessary Digital Skills
• Online or offline access to materials
enables learners to take lessons
anywhere.
Whether educators are new to the digital landscape or have some experience, the Microsoft
Digital Literacy curriculum will help develop a fundamental understanding of computers and
productivity software. By studying and practicing these skills themselves, educators help ensure
students embrace a healthy digital lifestyle, stay safe online and compete in an increasingly
technology-fueled job market.
• Free personalized plan guides
learners through the Digital
Literacy curriculum.
The Microsoft Digital Literacy Curriculum
• Learners gain 21st Century digital
literacy skills.
The Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum is designed to provide educators the basic skills
necessary to perform tasks in a digital environment. The curriculum offers the following three
levels, covering experience from novice to intermediate:
• Certificate helps motivate learners
and builds confidence in their
digital literacy skills.
• The Basic level teaches the value of computers in society and introduces learners to
using a mouse and keyboard.
• Supplemental resources on the
Partners in Learning network
help learners apply new skills in a classroom context.
• The Standard level features five courses that cover computer basics; using the internet
and productivity programs; security and privacy; and digital lifestyles. These five
courses are available in four versions that use example screenshots from various
versions of Windows and Microsoft Office. This ensures that learners are using familiar
environments.
• Instructor manual facilitates group
learning.
• The Advanced level features four courses that cover creating an e-mail account, creating
a great resume, searching for content on the World Wide Web and social networking.
Learners can take the Digital Literacy Assessment to determine where to start and build a
personalized learning plan.
Digital Literacy Content
The Digital Literacy curriculum includes the following content available online or as a download
for offline use:
Basic
Course
Description
Prerequisites
Intended
Audience
Standard
Advanced
Three lessons:
Five courses:
Four courses:
1. Components of a computer
2. Operating system basics
3. How to use a mouse and keyboard
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
None
Computer Basics course or similar
experience
Computer Basics course or similar
experience
Educators with minimal computing
experience
Educators with some computing
experience
Educators with some computing and
productivity software experience
Using the Internet
Using productivity programs
Security
Privacy
Digital lifestyles
Creating an e-mail account
Creating a great resume
Searching for content on the web
Social networking
Digital Literacy in Many Languages
The Microsoft Digital Literacy curriculum is offered in many languages, including French,
German, Italian, Japanese, Hindi and more. For a complete listing, visit the Digital Literacy
home page at www.microsoft.com/digitalliteracy.
Join the Microsoft IT Academy
Digital Literacy
Microsoft IT Academy is a program that offers teaching resources, curriculum, online community and stored accounts to track teacher and student learning. Sign up and your institution
can access Digital Literacy, along with a broad range of other eLearning activities through the
Microsoft IT Academy (ITA) member site at: http://www.microsoft.com/itacad­emy.
Get going!
Microsoft in Education Professional Development
Microsoft Digital Literacy is part of a rich set of material available to students, educators and
school leaders including professional development opportunities, assessments to track learning progress, and certification offerings.
Find out more at www.microsoft.com/education.
1. Open the Digital Literacy portal:
www.microsoft.com/digitalliteracy
2. Visit the Getting Started page.
Choose the course of study
appropriate to your current level of
computer skills. Options include the
Basic, Standard and/or Advanced.
3. Take the Digital Literacy
Assessment and receive a
personalized learning plan.
4.Study the courses needed to bring
your level of computer literacy up
to the desired level.
5. When you are ready, take the
Digital Literacy Certificate Test to
earn a Digital Literacy Certificate.
Microsoft in Education:
www.microsoft.com/education
Microsoft IT Academy
www.microsoft.com/itacademy
Explore
More
Resources
Microsoft in
Learning Network
www.pil-network.com
Microsoft in Education Training
Provider Program
www.piltrainer.com
For help locating a Microsoft in
Education training provider in your
area OR to become a Microsoft in
Education training provider,
email piltrainer@microsoft.com.
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