BUILD DIGITAL SKILLS
TEACHER HOME
Use these assessment and instructional resources to help learners build their digital skills.
All materials are free and come from a variety of sources.
SKILL ASSESSMENTS
Use these tools to assess student skill levels.
Free digital literacy assessment that contains nine modules, including basic computer skills, internet skills, word processing skills, email skills, and more. Modules are free to learners, and reports generated by modules help identify the skill strengths and gaps. Institutions can sponsor a licensed version that allows for proctoring and issuing of certificates.
Set of observation checklists and self-assessments developed as part of the Illinois Digital Learning Lab.
OBSERVATION CHECKLISTS (Links open a Google Drive folder, where you can copy the Google Sheet to your Drive or download an Excel version.)
Computer Basics | Internet Basics | Email | Word Processing
STUDENT SELF-ASSESSMENT
CC-BY Licensed Google Form that can be used by learners to self-assess their general digital skills.
Assessments are included as part of this CC-BY licensed course from Wisconsin Technical Colleges. Direct links to all assessments within the course are listed below.
CURRICULUM RESOURCES
These resources can be navigated and explored by learners.
Excellent set of interactive activities, videos, and readings that are all downloadable and printable. GCF Learn Free also includes content in a number of other subject areas. A number of resources on the student library are from this source.
GCF also includes a set of teacher guides that support instructors with tips on how to use the GCF content with the learners you serve.
Set of e-modules developed by the Public Library Association. All lessons and text are downloadable as PDFs. Lessons cover a range of skill areas, including computer basics, email, productivity software, job skills, and being safe online.
A set of teacher guides has been developed by Gail Borden Public Library (Elgin, IL) to support the DigitalLearn classes. Resources include an instructor guide ("design document"), activity sheet, and a handout. The more basic classes also include presentation files.
Full computer basics course developed as part of a TAACCCT grant award. All modules are downloadable and can be imported onto and SCORM-compatible LMS.
Excellent interactive resources aimed at teaching vocabulary, with a number of activity sets revolving around computers and internet. Great for vocabulary building activities with students on interactive whiteboards. Launch the student Vocabulary Practice page on the Digital Skills library to see all computer and technology-based activity sets.
These resources are intended to be led or assigned by instructors or tutors.
From the Texas State Library and Archives Commission, this toolkit contains seven digital literacy training modules including lesson plans, workbooks, activity worksheets, and resources. Lesson plans, presentation modules, and activities, all available in English, Spanish, and Vietnamese.
From the New Mexico Digital Inclusion Network, sets of curriculum materials that includes PowerPoints, handouts, assessments, and sample screencasts. Curriculum sets are also available for Basic Internet Skills and Online Safety & Security.
Set of video-based digital literacy lessons and activities designed to develop digital literacy skills through activities such as résumé writing, creating a budget, building a presentation about a topic, and more. Lessons include video playlist, teacher lesson plans, and student resources.
GCF Learn Free has developed a set of teacher guides that connect to the Applied Digital Skills lessons. These guides identify the related GCF Learn Free tutorials that develop the skills learners need in order to complete the activities.
Set of shared PowerPoint slide presentations that have been designed as lesson plans to be instructor-led or shared with students. Includes lessons on Computer Basics, Privacy and Security, Internet, Email, Microsoft Word, and Microsoft Excel.
Resources for instructors to develop students' searching skills, whether they're just starting out with search or ready for more advanced training. Includes lesson plans with associate slide decks, "A Google a Day" challenges, and lesson plan maps that guide teachers through the questioning and skills students need to search for information effectively.
These resources provide listings of resources and how-to guides for common skills and applications.
Great resource focused on digital literacy with aggregated resources from various learning sources. Learning resources for students are organized topically, particularly around basic skills and job skills/job searching tasks.
Set of guides for using commonly used websites and tools with real-world applications to empower adults to access digital tools that help them overcome barriers.