For many digital inclusion practitioners, digital literacy can be daunting. When considering the needs of our communities, a one-size-fits all approach to digital literacy can’t be our solution. Instead, exploring a variety of lessons, courses and resources can help to build a solid foundation for how to address the unique needs of learners, and the methods for approaching digital literacy instruction.
Below are a sampling of free, online digital literacy resources that demonstrate the diversity of curricula and methods that can be explored to help determine what works best for your community. These approachable lessons and curricula cater to a variety of learning styles, literacy levels and languages. Many courses and lessons are developed to build upon previous knowledge, and prepare learners for new experiences in the digital world. Additionally, an emphasis on instructor support and development are present within examples to help encourage sustainable and consistent instruction.
* denotes resources with self-guided courses
† denotes resources for instructors
Techboomers.com* A free educational website that teaches older adults and inexperienced internet users with basic computer skills about websites. Provides a vast array of articles, tutorials on 21st century online platforms, tools and social media.
Lessons are available in English.
Great for learning both how to use computers, tablets, and smartphones, as well as specific apps, and websites, and how to engage in online culture. Lessons are holistic, providing guidance from downloading to deleting apps.
DigitalLearn.org* A “one-stop shop” for computer and technology training for computer basics, hardware, software, and applications as well as basic job search resources. Resources include facilitator support for utilizing the courses, and designing your own.
Lessons are available in English and Spanish.
Los cursos están disponibles en inglés y español.
Great for self-guided learners and self-paced community learning. Great for visual learners with lower literacy skills.
GCFLearnFree.org*† Website with free resources and tools for learners to acquire necessary skills for 21st-century life. From Microsoft Office and email to reading and math, the site provides more than 180 topics, with more than 2,000 lessons, 800+ videos, and 55+ interactives and games.
Lessons are available in English and Spanish.
Los cursos están disponibles en inglés y español.
Cursos disponíveis em português.
Great for self-guided learners who may require a little more extensive training and assistance to guide their digital literacy journey. Requires basic literacy skills.
Mozilla Foundation† Free and open source tools and resources for facilitators to lead sessions on how to read, write and participate on the web. Materials range from web literacy basics, coding, protecting your data and more. Recommendations for facilitation and community engagement are also included.
Curriculum and Courses are available in English.
Great for facilitators looking to build and expand their in-person or virtual group sessions.
Google for Education, Applied Digital Skills*† Well-organized curriculum for teachers covering over 1,000 topics. This platform offers an opportunity to integrate lessons into pre-existing Google Classrooms, or to teach directly through the program. Courses include a specific course on teaching using this program. Self-guided learners can also jump in and follow self-guided classes.
Courses are offered in English.
Great for community members who require a platform as well as curriculum to teach digital literacy, and community members who hope to ramp up personal digital literacy skills.