Digital skills

Course summary

This course is for those who want a basic understanding of computers and how to use them.

This is an unaccredited course that is perfect for those who feel digitally excluded and you will learn how to switch devices on and off, how to access the Internet, how to create documents, and how to stay safe online.

Once you have completed this course, you may like to move on to one of our accredited Functional Skills courses.

Entry requirements

• Aged 19+
• Have the right to live and work in the UK
• Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas

What is the curriculum intent of this course?

This course will develop knowledge on the basic use of digital devices and the internet, help those who feel digitally excluded or disadvantaged and emphasise how important it is to remain vigilant when accessing the internet

What will the course cover?

The course will cover the very basics of using a computer and the internet.

Topics include but are not limited to:

• switching devices on and off
• adjusting displays to suit your needs
• accessing the internet
• browsing the internet
• staying safe online
• creating documents
• editing, saving and printing documents

What could I do when I have finished this course?

You could progress onto one of our accredited ICT courses, such as Functional Skills or Essential Digital Skills, that will be made available to you.

Where and when will I learn?

What do I need to bring with me?

You will not need to bring anything along to these sessions, just roll your sleeves up and try something new or develop your skills.

How much will the course cost?

This course is free of charge.

What do I do next?

Apply for the​ course

If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]

Course summary

This course is for those who does not have an ICT qualification and you would like to build up the basics of ICT and digital skills so that you can carry out the basic operations on a computer/laptop.

Entry requirements

• Are aged 19 years or older;
• Have the right to live and work in the UK, EU or EEA
• Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas

Curriculum intent

The curriculum intent of Digital Skills/ICT is for learners to get to grips with a variety of ICT technology and learn how to effectively operate a computer/laptop, including safe internet searching, creating documents, adapt settings, using Microsoft Office and various other soft and hard ware, plus lots more. Entry level 2 builds upon the skills learnt in Entry level 1.

Initial assessments

• You must sit an assessment to join an ICT course
• Assessments are held every Friday between 1pm-3.30pm at the Coleridge Centre. You can also sit the assessment online if you cannot come in-centre. Assessments are not held on bank holidays or during school holidays
• Assessments take approximately 1 hour
• The level at which you join an ICT course is dependent on your results of the initial assessment and any previous qualifications you may hold
• You may incur a waiting period in between completing your assessment and starting lessons

Course content

Entry Level 1/ Entry Level 2

You will cover some of the below, depending on which level you start at:

• Switching on and closing down the computer
• Using a mouse and keyboard
• Word processing
• Saving and organising your work
• Using tools to create a poster / party invitations
• Adding formatting to a document
• Moving and modifying text
• Using a printer
• File management
• Using flash drives
• Using a search engine to source information effectively

When and where will I learn

This is a 10 week course based at the Coleridge Centre, Darlington, DL1 5AJ.

Equipment

All ICT equipment is supplied to you. Please bring:

• a notepad
• a pen (or a digital device) to take notes

Cost

This course is free of charge, providing you meet the eligibility criteria above. 

Progression

After this course has finished you may like to progress to the next level in ICT which might be a entry 3, level 1 or level 2. You may also wish to join other courses delivered by Learning & Skills across a variety of areas. 

What do I do next?

Please contact us to book an initial assessment on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]and please let us know if you have been referred from the Job Centre.

Course summary

This course is for those who want to develop their digital skills and use Microsoft.

This is an unaccredited course that is perfect for those who feel they would like to develop their confidence and skills, either for leisure or for work-based activities

Once you have completed this course, you may like to move on to our more advanced Microsoft course, or on to one of our accredited Functional Skills courses we have on offer .

Entry requirements

• Aged 19+
• Have the right to live and work in the UK
• Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas

What is the curriculum intent of this course?

This course will develop knowledge on the use of Microsoft applications, allowing you to navigate Word, PowerPoint and Excel and will build your confidence in  your own abilities

What will the course cover?

The course will cover the basics of using Microsoft and this will include (but are not limited to):

• Word
• PowerPoint
• Excel

What could I do when I have finished this course?

After this course has finished you may like to progress to the non accredited Next Level Microsoft course or a Functional skills ICT course.

After an initial assessment to establish the appropriate level for your progression you can study at entry Level through to Level 2.

Once you have completed Level 2 you can apply to progress to a Level 3 ICT course at a college.

Where and when will I learn?

This course will take place either in a classroom setting or online using Google Classroom.

Please contact us for more information and course dates.

What do I need to bring with me?

For classroom based sessions please bring;

• paper
• a pen (or a digital device to take notes)
• a file to store your work, if you choose

For online courses you will need access to the internet and an internet enabled device on which you can access Google Classroom.

How much will the course cost?

This course is free.

What do I do next?

For more information, or to book a place, please contact the learning & skills team:

• call or text: 07932 869325
• email: l&[email protected]

Course summary

This course is for those who want to develop their digital skills and use Microsoft office applications at an intermediate level

This is an unaccredited course that is perfect for those who feel they would like to further develop their confidence and skills, either for leisure or for work-based activities

Once you have completed this course, you may like to move on to  one of our accredited Functional Skills courses we have on offer .

Entry requirements

• Aged 19+
• Have the right to live and work in the UK
• Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas

What is the curriculum intent of this course?

This course will develop knowledge on the use of Microsoft applications, allowing you to navigate Word, PowerPoint and Excel and will build your confidence in  your own abilities

What will the course cover?

The course will cover the intermediate skills when using Microsoft and this will include (but are not limited to):

• Word
• PowerPoint
• Excel

We would expect a basic understanding of these applications before starting - please see our Introduction to Microsoft course if you do not have this already

What could I do when I have finished this course?

After this course has finished you may like to progress to  a Functional skills ICT course.

After an initial assessment to establish the appropriate level for your progression you can study at entry Level through to Level 2.

Once you have completed Level 2 you can apply to progress to a Level 3 ICT course at a college.

Where and when will I learn?

This course will take place either in a classroom setting or online using Google Classroom.

Please contact us for more information and course dates.

What do I need to bring with me?

For classroom based sessions please bring;

• paper
• a pen (or a digital device to take notes)
• a file to store your work, if you choose

For online courses you will need access to the internet and an internet enabled device on which you can access Google Classroom.

How much will the course cost?

This course is free.

What do I do next?

For more information, or to book a place, please contact the learning & skills team:

• call or text: 07932 869325
• email: l&[email protected]

Course summary

This course is for those who would like to learn how to effectively stay safe online.

You will learn about features of the Internet, web risks, recognising online propaganda and much more.

It is recommended that learners interested in this course have or are working towards an English qualification at GCSE level.

This course will take place online so that you can learn from the comfort of your home.

What entry requirements do I need to start the course?

• Aged 19+
• Have the right to live and work in the UK
• Must live in the Darlington, Tees Valley, North Yorkshire or non devolved local authority areas
• It is recommended that you currently hold, or are working towards, an English qualification at around GCSE old grade C/new grade 4 or Functional Skills Level 1

What is the curriculum intent of this course?

The course intent is to highlight particular areas of concern for internet users, such as sharing personal information online and the possibility of being groomed online.

What will the course cover?

• Features of the internet
• How adults, children and young people use the internet
• Risks associated with using the internet
• Staying safe when using the internet
• Recognising online propaganda

What could I do when I have finished this course?

You could progress onto one of our many other Distance Learning or CPD courses, depending on your pathway of choice. Or you may want to achieve a qualification in Maths, English or ICT. Many free courses will be made available to you at the end of this course.

Where and when will I learn?

• You will learn in your own time to set deadlines
• This course will take place online via our online portal. You will receive your login details during enrolment

What should I bring with me?

• Access to the internet
• Access to an internet-enabled device (PC, Laptop or iPad/Tablet - smart phones are not suitable for this course) 

How much will the course cost?

This course is free.

What should I do next?

Apply for the​ course

If you require help with the form please contact us on 01325 405601, 07932 869325 or l&[email protected]