Digital Essentials

What you'll be able to do

• Use Windows confidently and keep your files organised and backed up
• Write professional emails and work with Google Drive, Docs and Forms
• Create a CV in Word, a budget in Excel and a presentation in PowerPoint
• Recognise phishing, malware and common local scams
• Protect your accounts with strong passwords and two-step verification
• Complete online forms and job applications, and use AI assistants responsibly

What you'll build

Real work you finish during the course and keep afterwards.

1. 1A one-page CV in Microsoft Word
2. 2A monthly budget in Excel with totals and a pie chart
3. 3A 5-slide PowerPoint presentation, presented to the class
4. 4An event plan using Google Forms, Docs and Calendar
5. 5A job application email with your CV attached

Who it's for

• Students preparing for college, university or employment
• Workers who want to be confident with computers at work
• Business owners who want to manage information and communicate digitally
• Anyone using a computer for the first time

Week by week

1. Week 1

   Computer Fundamentals

   • Introduction to computers: hardware, software, starting and shutting down
   • Windows basics, mouse skills and typing
   • File and folder management, file types and flash drives
   • Settings, installing software safely and keyboard shortcuts
   • Practical lab: organise a messy desktop into a clean folder structure
2. Week 2

   Internet, Email and Google Workspace

   • Web browsing, effective searching and judging reliable sources
   • Gmail: professional emails, attachments, CC and BCC
   • Google Drive and Google Docs: sharing and real-time collaboration
   • Google Sheets, Slides, Forms, Calendar and Meet
   • Practical lab: plan an event using Forms, Docs, Calendar and email
3. Week 3

   Microsoft Office Basics

   • Word I: creating, formatting and printing documents, saving as PDF
   • Word II: tables, images, page layout, CV and formal letter
   • Excel basics: data, formulas, SUM/AVERAGE and a simple chart
   • PowerPoint basics: clear slides, images and presenting
   • Practical lab: finish your CV and budget, and present your slides
4. Week 4

   Cyber Security and Digital Life

   • Online threats: malware, phishing and common local scams
   • Protecting accounts and devices: passwords, two-step verification, backups
   • Privacy, your digital footprint and safe browsing
   • Online forms, job applications and using AI assistants responsibly
   • Final practical: organise and share your course portfolio

Common questions