Digital Skills - Online course

Digital Skills

This course covers basic digital literacy, covering a combination of IT user skills (such as an introduction to a computer and developing online skills) and digital media skills (such as how to use a digital camera and use music software and mobile music devices).  Through to more complex tasks for example: Digital editing of a video, sharing your Digital Media online. It also introduces you to social networking, in particularly Facebook.

Unison, the biggest public sector union recently conducted a skills survey of its members that found that someone was 25% more likely to get work with web skills, and, once in a job you'll earn 10% more.

Units

Digital Skills covers 7 units:

• Computer Basics
• Online Basics
• Audio and video software
• Digital photography
• Digital music
• Social networking
• Digital media

Computer Basics

This unit gives learners an introduction to a computer.

• How to start a computer and understand the different hardware.
• Learning about some of the terminology used.
• How to organise files by creating, copying and pasting or deleting.
• The basic skills required to setup, edit and print documents.

Online Basics

This unit introduces learners to the internet and the World Wide Web.

• How to search for information and make purchases online.
• Using email and communicating online.
• How to speak to family and friends for free using Skype.
• Staying safe online from viruses and protecting personal information.
• How to use parental controls.

Audio and video software

This unit provides learners the skills and know-how to use a digital video camera and to edit and compile clips using movie editing software.

• How to use a digital video camera’s basic functions and features.
• Importing clips from a video camera and start video editing.
• Simple editing techniques.
• How to add audio tracks and still images.
• Enhancing video by adding titles and transitions.
• Sharing video by producing DVD’s or publishing on the internet.

Digital photography

This unit introduces learners to using a digital camera, simple editing techniques and how to manage and organise their digital photo collections.

• How to set-up and use a digital camera and its basic functions and features.
• Using photo software to update, arrange and organise their photos into folders.
• How to do basic editing and use imaging skills to enhance photos.
• Sharing photos through slideshows or by publishing on the web.

Digital Music

This unit shows learners how to manage and organise their digital music collection.

• How to set up a digital music device, play music and work with the computer.
• Using software to add to and update their music collection.
• How to transfer music files from CD with full song and artist details.
• Understanding different functions and setting on their music player.
• How to search for and purchase music from an online store.

Social networking

This unit provides learners with the skills and know-how to use social networking features effectively and safely.

• Learning about what social networking is.
• What a personal profile is and how online groups are organised.
• Common features of social networking sites such as catching up with friends, sharing the latest news, posting photos and uploading videos.
• Understanding the concept of unsolicited mail and how to deal with spam.
• Copyright laws and how they relate to the internet.

Digital media

This unit provides learners with the skills to create CD’s and DVD’s by using a computer, as well as how to upload and share the files and photos and collaborate online.

• Learning about memory, capacity and different digital media file types.
• Understanding how to play files on a range of devices
• Learning about common terms such as Blu-ray, high definition and DRM.
• How to ‘burn’ CD’s and DVD’s
• How to upload photos, sound files and videos using the web and social networking sites.
• Safety and security considerations when sharing content.        

The course optionally leads to the BCS Entry Level Certificate In Digital Skills (ITQ) (Entry 3) (QCF) qualification and takes around 100 hours to complete.