Tag Archives: computer skills

Resource of the Month: DigitalLearn.org

DigitalLearnKnow anyone who could benefit from technology coaching?  It could be you, your parent, your child, or a neighbor who needs help building digital literacy skills.  Your library offers books, eBooks, videos, computer classes, a monthly drop-in assistance lab, scheduled appointments with a Reference Librarian, and some stellar online resources which can be accessed from anywhere. Anytime.

Previously, we posted information about the Goodwill Community Foundation’s site (read it here), and patrons have given us excellent feedback.  Now the Public Library Association has put together DigitalLearn.org to support both learners AND trainers in pursuit of better skills. The homepage shares this invitation:

If you are new to computers, haven’t used them for a while, are a little unsure and uncomfortable, or just need a bit of a refresher, we have the tools to help you tackle technology at your own pace and gain the confidence you need to succeed.

There’s an array of courses available, in both English and Spanish, starting with “Why Use a Computer?”, including “Intro to Skype” and “Online Scams”, and ending with “Buying a Plane Ticket”.  Anyone is able to take a course (and print out a certificate at the conclusion if recordkeeping is an issue), and no login is required.  Courses are brief, averaging around 15 minutes, and dispense information in a rich format, including text, video, and audio.  Just click on the title of interest and you’ll be taken to a list of related activities.

If, instead, your need is learning how to help others develop digital skills, click on the “Help Learners” link at the top right of the homepage.  There you will find a listing of resources for handouts and course materials, learn from other trainers’ experiences, and find links for other potentially useful websites and tools such as webinars.

There’s no need to reinvent the wheel! You can benefit today from the fact that libraries know how to provide technology instruction!

Resource of the Month: GCF LearnFree

GCF LearnFreeLooking for opportunities to build your technology skill set — from home, at your own pace, for FREE?  The Goodwill Community Foundation has just the site for you to learn what you want, when it’s important to you!

Visit GCFLearnFree.org to find out how to purchase a computer or to navigate your new iPhone or iPad, or simply to improve typing and mouse skills.  You can also learn programs like Excel and PowerPoint and learn how to use email, Windows 8, and Google more effectively.  No password is required, and you don’t need to set up an account to access the tutorials and videos.  Check out their online classes which result in earning CEUs and a Certificate of Completion at www.gcflearnfree.org/classes.

You can  browse the complete list of available topics here or type in a topic of interest in the search bar at the top of any page.  A search for iPhone, for example, returns tutorials called iPhone Basics, iPhone 5s and 5c, Getting Started, and Syncing Your iPhone.

Note that the site is accessible in both English and Spanish and also offers an array of opportunities for learning basic math, reading, career, and daily life skills.  Let us know what you find useful there!

Resource of the Month: LearningExpress Library

learningexpress-libraryLearn Microsoft Word and Excel, Adobe Photoshop, and other computer skills using interactive video tutorials from LearningExpress Library!

Do you need to strengthen your computer skills for work?  Or would you just like to learn how to use today’s most popular computer programs and operating systems?  Learn at your own pace using interactive tutorial courses.  Each course offers detailed, easy-to-follow instructions with audio and captions, for beginner to advanced skill levels.

LearningExpress Library offers courses for students and adult learners in many subjects.  Computer tutorials include:

  • Adobe:  Dreamweaver, Flash, Illustrator, Photoshop
  • Corel WordPerfect
  • Microsoft:  Access, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Project, Publisher, SharePoint, Visio, Word
  • Windows and Mac Operating Systems

To access the computer skills courses, go to www.nclive.org, then click on the Homework Help category.  From the alphabetical list, choose LearningExpress Library.

At the bottom center of the LearningExpress main page, create a new account by clicking the Register button.  Once you have logged in, click on the Popular Software Tutorials link in the left-hand menu and choose a topic.  You’ll soon be on your way to mastering a new computer skill!

(Please note that this resource requires Adobe Flash Player 8.0 or higher.)