Below are resources that instructors can use to incorporate the Digital Literacy Skills into their lessons or to offer extra support for students with particular digital literacy needs. Select the resources that are the best fit for your students’ goals and current skills.
3.1 Sends and Manages Email
Uses email for professional and personal communication, avoiding spam and phishing schemes. Uses tools and features of an email platform to organize and save communications and includes non-text features like attachments and images when appropriate.
Completes the process for creating an email account, composes, sends, and replies to emails, seeking assistance as needed. (C 3.1.1)
Howcast How to Make an Email Address (YouTube): Short (1:26) video outlining the basic steps to create an email address, regardless of mail provider.
Gmail (LearnFree): A text- and video-based tutorial consisting of nine topics covering a wide range of email points that include setting up a Gmail account, common Gmail features, setting up Contacts, and managing features.
Create and Send Emails (WisTech Online Basic Computer Skills MOOC): Lesson and practice opportunity. Basic Email Functions 5.2 Create and Send Emails. This video introduces the common features of an email dashboard, explains the components of an email message, and demonstrates how to create and send a message. It is the second video presentation in a series about email communications, functions within emails, and email safety and etiquette. Interactive questions throughout the video and a knowledge check at the end verify the viewer’s understanding.
Internet Safety: Avoid Spam and Phishing Emails (LearnFree): This video and text provide an overview of spam and phishing emails and ways to avoid them.
Using Email (Northstar): This is a 4-part course with videos and activities. The first two parts teach email basics, such as setting up an email address and sending emails.
How to Set Up a Gmail Account Using the App (Senior Planet)
How to Set Up a Gmail Account Using a Web Browser (Senior Planet)
Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 3.1: Sends and Manages Email. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.
Composes and sends email messages, adds features to email communications, and demonstrates the use of tools to organize email communications. (C 3.1.2)
Create Email Attachments (WisTech Online Basic Computer Skills MOOC): This video presents the mechanics of opening and downloading an attachment, inserting and sending an attachment, and the guidelines regarding attachments. It is the third video presentation in a series about email communications, functions within emails, and email safety and etiquette. Interactive questions throughout the video and a knowledge check at the end verify the viewer’s understanding.
Introduction to Google Workspace Gmail (Google Applied Digital Skills): This series of videos leads the user through various tasks of creating a Google account and using Gmail.
Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 3.1: Sends and Manages Email. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.
Optimizes email account settings and assesses the terms/limits established by an email provider. Demonstrates awareness of the security issues with email communication and the digital footprint that it creates. (C 3.1.3)
Manage Your Email Account (WisTech Online Basic Computer Skills MOOC): This video presents the creation and use of folders to manage email communications, moving and deleting emails, maintaining a contact list, and managing emails on a mobile device. It is the fourth video presentation in a series about email communications, functions within emails, and email safety and etiquette. Interactive questions throughout the video and a knowledge check at the end verify the viewer’s understanding.
Examine Email Netiquette and Safety (WisTech Online Basic Computer Skills MOOC): This video provides recommendations for both the courtesies involved with using email as a communication method as well as ways to keep your email messages safe. It is the fifth video presentation in a series about email communications, functions within emails, and email safety and etiquette.
Using Email (Northstar): This is a 4-part course with videos and activities. The third and fourth parts (accessible via the menu in the top corner of the player) discuss email safety and etiquette.
Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 3.1: Sends and Manages Email. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.
3.2 Engages with Social Media
Uses social media to create, share, and view content. Monitors digital footprint and manages accounts and activity to maintain desired levels of privacy.
Identifies and describes the steps for creating an account on a social media platform and identifies the content shared by others. (C 3.2.1)
How to Sign Up for a Facebook Account (Senior Planet): A short video showing how to sign up for a Facebook account on an Android phone.
How to Sign Up for WhatsApp on an iOSÂ (Senior Planet): A short video showing how to sign up for a WhatsApp account on an iPhone.
How to Create an Instagram Account (Senior Planet): A short video showing how to sign up for an Instagram account.
Identifies and describes the active use of a social media platform to share/exchange content with others and examines perceptions of posted content. (C 3.2.2)
Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 3.2: Engages with Social Media. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.
Accesses and adjusts the settings associated with managing social media accounts. Assesses the privacy concerns and digital footprint created by social media content and formulates a plan to make necessary changes. (C 3.2.3)
Four Reasons to Care About Your Digital Footprint (Internet Society – YouTube): This video presents an overview of the long-lasting implications of online activities, both beneficial and detrimental to the online participant.
Internet Safety: Social Media Privacy (LearnFree): This webpage features a Google video about social media privacy and also provides links to tutorials about managing privacy settings on specific social media platforms.
Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 3.2: Engages with Social Media. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.
3.3 Selects Communication Tools
Uses other internet-based communication tools effectively. Strategically chooses tools for different purposes and contexts.
Explores and identifies internet communication tools. (C 3.3.1)
Zoom Learning Center (Zoom): This website page presents the numerous aspects of using Zoom. Learning tools are presented within each application.
Go To Meeting Help (Go To Meeting): This is the main webpage for GoToMeeting Support. The user can select from the topics to learn about this meeting tool.
Google Chat Training and Help (Google Workspace Training Center): This webpage is part of the Google Workspace Training Center platform and provides options for learning more about using Google Chat.
Get Started with Microsoft Teams (Microsoft Teams Support): This is the support page for Microsoft Teams. It includes links to information about meetings, chat, and other aspects of Teams.
Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 3.3: Select Communication Tools. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.
Demonstrates use of internet tools to communicate personally or professionally. (C 3.3.2)
Zoom Show Me Series (Zoom Learning Center): The viewer can choose from numerous videos about how to use specific Zoom features.
Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 3.3: Select Communication Tools. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.
Explores the settings in communication tools and adjusts them according to need. (C 3.3.3)
Please see the resources suggested in Levels 1 and 2 as they also include suggestions for settings within the specific communication tool.
View Resources for the Other Digital Literacy Skills
Computer & Mobile Skills
Access resources to enhance students’ basic computer and mobile skills and learn how to perform essential tasks.
Information Literacy Skills
Access resources to enhance students’ information literacy skills for personal and professional goals and evaluating information.
Internet Skills
Access resources to enhance students’ internet skills, including internet basics, browsing, navigation, information exchange.