Description

Curriculum

Overall Course Goal: Students will be able to use technology effectively to communicate, solve problems, and manage information in an academic and professional context.

 

Module 1: Operating System and File Management

Objective: Navigate the operating system (Windows/macOS) confidently and manage files and folders efficiently.

Practical Topics:

1. Desktop and Start Menu/Dock Navigation
   • Customizing the desktop and settings for efficiency.
2. File Explorer/Finder Mastery
   • Creating, renaming, moving, copying, and deleting files and folders.
   • Using search and filters to find files.
3. File Paths and Extensions
   • Understanding the structure of file paths.
   • Recognizing common file extensions (e.g., .docx, .pdf, .jpg, .mp4).
4. Cloud Storage Integration
   • Installing and using One Drive, Google Drive, or Drop box.
   • Syncing files between local and cloud storage.

Hands-On Project: Organize a set of provided messy files into a well-structured folder hierarchy, both locally and in a cloud storage service.

Module 2: Digital Security and Privacy

Objective: Implement basic security practices to protect personal data and privacy.

Practical Topics:

1. Password Management
   • Creating a strong password and using a password manager (e.g., Bitwarden, LastPass).
2. Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)
   • Setting up 2FA for a Google or Microsoft account.
3. Recognizing and Avoiding Phishing
   • Identifying phishing emails and malicious links.
4. Privacy Settings
   • Adjusting privacy settings on a social media platform (e.g., Facebook, Instagram).

Hands-On Project: Set up a password manager, create strong passwords for multiple accounts, and enable 2FA on one account. Then, identify and report a set of simulated phishing emails.

 

Module 3: Word Processing for Academic Work

Objective: Use a word processor (Microsoft Word or Google Docs) to create well-formatted academic documents.

Practical Topics:

1. Document Formatting
   • Setting up page layout (margins, orientation, size).
   • Using styles for headings, subheadings, and body text.
2. References and Citations
   • Inserting footnotes, endnotes, and bibliographies.
   • Using citation tools (e.g., MLA, APA).
3. Collaboration Features
   • Sharing documents and using comments and track changes.
4. Efficiency Tools
   • Using spell and grammar check, find and replace, and creating a table of contents.

Hands-On Project: Write a short academic paper (3-5 pages) on a given topic, including proper formatting, citations, and a bibliography. Then, peer-review a classmate’s document using comments and track changes.

 

Module 4: Spreadsheets for Data Management and Analysis

Objective: Use a spreadsheet (Microsoft Excel or Google Sheets) to organize, analyse, and visualize data.

Practical Topics:

1. Spreadsheet Basics
   • Entering data, formatting cells, and using basic functions (SUM, AVERAGE, and COUNT).
2. Data Analysis
   • Sorting and filtering data.
   • Using conditional formatting to highlight data.
3. Charts and Graphs
   • Creating and customizing bar charts, line graphs, and pie charts.
4. Formulas and Functions
   • Using relative and absolute cell references.
   • Writing simple formulas (e.g., to calculate percentages).

Hands-On Project: Analyze a provided dataset (e.g., sales data or survey results) by cleaning the data, performing calculations, and creating at least two different types of charts to visualize key insights.

 

Module 5: Effective Presentations

Objective: Create engaging and professional presentations using software (Microsoft PowerPoint or Google Slides).

Practical Topics:

1. Slide Design
   • Using templates and themes effectively.
   • Incorporating images, videos, and shapes.
2. Structure and Flow
   • Creating a storyboard for the presentation.
   • Using slide transitions and animations purposefully.
3. Delivery Tools
   • Using presenter notes and rehearsal timers.
4. Collaboration
   • Co-editing a presentation with peers.

Hands-On Project: Create a 5-slide presentation on a topic of choice, incorporating images, a video, and speaker notes. Deliver a 3-minute recorded presentation using the slides.

 

Module 6: Digital Communication and Collaboration

Objective: Use digital tools to communicate and collaborate professionally.

Practical Topics:

1. Email Etiquette
   • Writing professional emails with clear subject lines, salutations, and signatures.
   • Managing attachments and organizing the inbox.
2. Virtual Meetings
   • Scheduling and joining a Zoom/Teams meeting.
   • Using chat, screen sharing, and recording features.
3. Project Management Tools
   • Creating a project board in Trello or Asana to track tasks.

Hands-On Project: Compose and send a professional email to the instructor, schedule a mock team meeting, and create a project plan in a project management tool for a group assignment.

 

Module 7: Information Literacy and Research

Objective: Find, evaluate, and use digital information ethically.

Topics:

1. Advanced Search Techniques
   • Using Google search operators to refine searches.
   • Searching academic databases (e.g., Google Scholar).
2. Evaluating Sources
   • Applying the CRAAP (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose) test to websites and articles.
3. Avoiding Plagiarism
   • Paraphrasing and quoting correctly.
   • Using citation tools to generate references.

Hands-On Project: Given a research question, find three credible sources, evaluate them using the CRAAP (a framework for evaluating information sources based on Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose ) test, and create a properly formatted bibliography (an alphabetized list of all sources used in a research paper, following specific style rules like APA, MLA, or Chicago ).

 

Module 8: Computational Thinking and Automation

Objective: Solve problems using computational thinking and automate simple tasks.

Topics:

1. Introduction to Computational Thinking
   • Breaking down problems (decomposition), pattern recognition, and algorithm design.
2. Introduction to Automation
   • Using IFTTT or Zapier to create applets that automate tasks (e.g., saving email attachments to cloud storage).
3. Basic Scripting (Optional)
   • Writing a simple macro in Excel or a script in Google Sheets to automate a repetitive task.

Hands-On Project: Create an IFTTT applet that connects two services (e.g., post Instagram photos to Twitter) and write a simple Excel macro to format a table.

 

 

 

Practical Digital Literacy Curriculum: From High School to Higher Education

Core Philosophy: “Task-Oriented Mastery.” Every module is built around essential tasks a student will face in their first year of tertiary studies.

Module 1: Core Computing & Security Hygiene

Aim/Goal: Set up, secures, and troubleshoots a personal computer for academic use.

 

Topic	Task and Exercise	Deliverable/Project
System Navigation & File Management	1. Create a logical folder structure for university (e.g., Academics/Year_1/Semester_1/PSY101/Assignments). 2. Rename, move, copy, and compress (zip) groups of files. 3. Use Search and Filters to quickly locate a lost document. 4. Save a file from a web browser to the correct folder.	A screenshot of a well-organized file structure for a fictional first-year student.
Digital Security & Privacy	1. Create a strong, unique password and test its strength. 2. Install and configure a password manager (e.g., Bitwarden, KeePass). 3. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) on a Google/Microsoft account. 4. Identify a phishing email from a set of examples. 5. Perform a full system backup to an external drive or cloud.	A short report: “My Personal Digital Security Plan,” listing the steps taken to secure their accounts and data.
Software Management	1. Legally download and install necessary academic software (e.g., Zotero, a PDF reader). 2. Uninstall an unwanted application correctly. 3. Update the operating system and a piece of critical software.	A list of three essential free software tools for students and the steps taken to install one of them.

 

Module 2: Academic Productivity Suite

Aim/Goal: Produce professional-quality academic documents, data analysis, and presentations.

Topic	Task and Exercise	Deliverables/Project
Word Processing (The Academic Paper)	1. Format a document: margins, line spacing, fonts as per a provided style guide (e.g., APA 7thEdition). 2. Use Styles for Headings to create an automatic Table of Contents. 3. Insert and format images, tables, and captions. 4. Use Track Changes and Comments to peer-review a classmate’s document. 5. Insert page breaks, page numbers, and headers/footers.	A properly formatted 3-page academic paper on a given topic, complete with a title page, table of contents, images, and a bibliography.
Spreadsheets (The Data Lab)	1. Input a dataset from a survey or simple experiment. 2. Use basic formulas: SUM, AVERAGE, COUNT. 3. Use essential functions: IF (for simple pass/fail conditions), VLOOKUP/XLOOKUP. 4. Sort and Filter data to answer specific questions. 5. Create a PivotTable to summarize data. 6. Create and customize a Chart (Bar, Line, Pie) from the data.	A spreadsheet analysing a provided dataset (e.g., class test scores) that includes calculations, a PivotTable summary, and a chart visualizing the results.
Presentations (The Research Presentation)	1. Create a presentation using a built-in template and then customize the Master Slide for a consistent look. 2. Insert and format SmartArt, charts, and video. 3. Use the Speaker Notes feature to write a script. 4. Practice using Presenter View. 5. Export the presentation as a PDF handout.	A 5-slide presentation on their chosen field of study, delivered to the class, demonstrating clear design and use of speaker notes.

 

 

Module 3: Digital Communication & Collaboration

Practical Goal: Communicate professionally and collaborate effectively in an online academic environment.

Topic	Tasks & Exercises	Deliverable / Project
Professional Email & Calendaring	1. Compose a professional email to a professor (clear subject line, salutation, body, signature). 2. Attach a file and link to a cloud document. 3. Use the calendar to schedule a meeting, send invites, and block out study time. 4. Manage an inbox by creating folders/labels and archiving old mail.	Draft and send a mock email to a “professor” requesting a meeting, including an available time from their calendar.
Cloud Collaboration	1. Upload a file to Google Drive/OneDrive and generate a shareable link. 2. Share a document with specific permissions (View, Comment, Edit). 3. Collaborate in real-time with classmates on a single document (e.g., a group study guide). 4. Use Version History to restore a previous version of a document.	A single study guide document created by a small group, with each member’s contributions visible via version history or comments.
Virtual Classroom Tools	1. Join a video call (Zoom/Teams/Meet), test audio/video, and use the chat function. 2. Share their screen to present a document. 3. Participate in a breakout room discussion. 4. Use a digital whiteboard (e.g., in Microsoft Teams) for brainstorming.	Participate in a simulated online tutorial, including using the “raise hand” feature and sharing their screen for 60 seconds.

 

 

Module 4: Information & Academic Literacy

Aim/Goal: Efficiently find, critically evaluate, and ethically use digital information for academic work.

Topic	Tasks & Exercises	Deliverable / Project
Advanced Online Research	1. Use a university library’s online portal to find peer-reviewed journals. 2. Perform a “Scholarly” or “PDF” search on Google. 3.  Use advanced search operators in a search engine (site:, filetype:, “”).	An annotated bibliography with 3 credible sources on a topic, found using both the library portal and advanced web search.
Critical Source Evaluation	1. Use the CRAAP (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose) test to evaluate two websites (one credible, one questionable). 2. Identify a predatory journal or fake news article.	A short “Fact-Checking Report” comparing a credible source and a non-credible source.
Academic Integrity & Citation	1. Use a citation tool (e.g., Zotero, Mendeley, or Word’s built-in tool) to automatically generate references and a bibliography. 2. Correctly paraphrase a paragraph from a source without plagiarizing. 3. Run a piece of text through a plagiarism checker to understand how it works.	A short essay paragraph that includes a direct quote and a paraphrased section, both correctly cited using a citation manager.