Computer Literacy Resource Page

This is a resource page designed to support Victoria Literacy Connection’s Adult Basic Computer Literacy program. Below is a step-by-step guide to familiarizing yourself with the internet and all of the wonders and disadvantages that it entails. To note, Victoria Literacy Connection is not responsible for the content of external links.

1. Web Browsers – how to connect to the internet
2. Emailing – tips and tricks
3. Application Stores – where to find applications that you might find useful
4. Social Media – communication and information sharing applications
5. Useful Information – list of reliable resources 
6. Online Banking – information page on online banking and how to register for various local banks
7. Media Literacy – awareness around scams and misleading information

Web Browsers

In order to use the internet, you need a web browser. All devices have one installed by default.

• If you have an Apple device, you will have “Safari“.
• If you have Microsoft on your device, you will probably see “Bing“.
• If you have an Android device, you will most likely have “Google Chrome” installed.

However, if you are unhappy with the one you have, you can easily install another one. Click here to read an article on how to do so.

To open your web browser, click on the icon with your mouse on your computer or your finger on your mobile device. You will be able to type in web addresses in the search bar on the top of the page. A web address starts with “www.”, which stands for “world wide web”, or you can simply type keywords that will bring you to a list of relevant websites.

Emailing – what should we write here?

Different types of email.

Emails that come with the computer

Apple mail

Gmail – Google

Microsoft office

Through internet connection

Shaw

Online Application “App” Stores

In order to get applications on your device, you need to upload them through an “App Store”, whether you are using a cell phone, tablet, laptop or desktop. Some “apps” are for free, some are free to begin with, but may request payment for additional services and some you pay for upfront. There are two “app stores”. One is with Apple products (IOS) and the other for Android products (Google Play or Google Apps). To understand more about how to purchase apps, click on the relevant icon below that applies to your device. The video tutorials are shown on cell phones, but follow a similar process with various devices.

Social Media Platforms (still need to decide upon layout)

Social Media allows you to share thoughts, read news and communicate with your networks. Below are various tutorials on how to install and set up accounts for the various applications aka “apps”. The advantage of video tutorials is that you can learn at your own pace by stopping and rewinding as much as you like. You will notice orange highlighted words. These are “hyperlinks”. By clicking on these, you will be provided more information on another webpage, in most cases Wikipedia where the summaries were taken from.

To note, Victoria Literacy Connection is not endorsing any of these applications, but they are shown here as they are the most currently used. With time, you may discover other applications that you might find more enjoyable.

Google Search Engine is a software system that is designed to carry out web searches (Internet searches), which means to search the World Wide Web in a systematic way for particular information specified in a textual web search query. The search results are generally presented in a line of results, often referred to as search engine results pages (SERPs) The information may be a mix of links to web pages, images, videos, infographics, articles, research papers, and other types of files.

YouTube allows users to upload, view, rate, share, add to playlists, report, comment on videos, and subscribe to other users. Available content includes video clips, TV show clips, music videos, short and documentary films, audio recordings, movie trailers, live streams, and educational videos.

Instagram is an American photo and video sharing social networking service owned by Facebook.

Pinterest is an American image sharing and social media service designed to enable saving and discovery of information on the internet using images and, on a smaller scale, animated GIFs and videos, in the form of pinboards.

Amazon started as an online marketplace for books but expanded to sell electronics, software, video games, apparel, furniture, food, toys, and jewelry.

Google Search Engine is a software system that is designed to carry out web searches (Internet searches), which means to search the World Wide Web in a systematic way for particular information specified in a textual web search query. The search results are generally presented in a line of results, often referred to as search engine results pages (SERPs) The information may be a mix of links to web pages, images, videos, infographics, articles, research papers, and other types of files.

Facebook is a website which allows users, who sign-up for free profiles, to connect with friends, work colleagues or people they don’t know, online. It allows users to share pictures, music, videos, and articles, as well as their own thoughts and opinions with however many people they like.

Facebook Messenger is an American messaging app and platform developed by Facebook, Inc. Users can send messages and exchange photos, videos, stickers, audio, and files, as well as react to other users’ messages. The service also supports voice and video calling.

WhatsApp Messenger, or simply WhatsApp, is an American freeware, cross-platform messaging and Voice over IP service owned by Facebook, Inc. It allows users to send text messages and voice messages, make voice and video calls, and share images, documents, user locations, and other media.

Twitter is an American microblogging and social networking service on which users post and interact with messages known as “tweets”. Registered users can post, like and retweet tweets, but unregistered users can only read them. Twitter webpage

LinkedIn is an American business and employment-oriented online service that operates via websites and mobile apps. The platform is mainly used for professional networking, and allows job seekers to post their resumes and employers to post jobs.