We’re pleased to share this collection of learning guides about using modern technology created by Digital Unite, the digital learning experts. The easy-to-use guides are ideal for improving your own confidence and skills or for supporting other learners.
Computer Basics
Starting to use a computer can feel like a visit to a foreign country – things look familiar but you can’t speak the language. Getting to grips with computers is much easier than learning a new language.
Email and Skype
It’s estimated that 294 billion emails are sent everyday, and more than 650 million use the internet telephone service ‘Skype’. As intimidating as these numbers are, they are also a testament to the popularity and convenience of these tools.
Creating Documents: Microsoft Office
From cave painting to pen and ink, from typewriters to computers: the latest phase in the history of humanity’s desire to express itself through writing and creating images.
Digital Photography
We’ve used the free digital photography software Windows Live Photo Gallery to demonstrate many of the processes and techniques we explain. However, other types of software are very similar and so, if you don’t have Windows Live Photo Gallery, you’ll still find the information in our guides relevant.
Using the Internet
Since it emerged in the 1980s and ’90s, the internet has changed the way that we live our lives. It is exciting and empowering, but also intimidating. It can be hard to know where to start and how to navigate the massive amounts of information on offer.
Smartphones and Tablets
Powerful, convenient and multi-purpose, smartphones and tablets are the two key players in the fast-growing world of mobile computers.
Social networking
Social networking allows us to manage and communicate with our contacts in a totally new way and access information as never before.
Hobbies and Interests
When it comes to pursuing our interests, finding information or just having fun, the internet contains spectacular new possibilities.
Internet Security
Just like the real world, the virtual world of the web has a huge and varied population and, inevitably, a number of bad guys reside there. Just as you know to lock your home on leaving it or to keep your bag close to you in a crowd, there are also some simple rules for staying safe online.
Shopping and Banking
Another wonder of the internet is its helpful capacity to make dull tasks quicker and easier to achieve. Banking, shopping and applying for government services can both be done online. There’s endless fun to be had in rootling out bargains and browsing through the enormous range of products in online shops as well as having the convenience of making payments and applying for benefits online.
Music and Audio
One of the most revolutionary changes that the internet has brought with it is to the way we listen to music, the radio and other audio content. Suddenly, almost anything you can think of wanting to hear is a mouse click away.
TV and Video
It’s now possible to watch TV programmes you’ve missed and films you thought you’d never find again – all online. Our guides will tell you how. We also introduce you to the weird and wonderful world of the video website YouTube.