Course description

If you've never really used a computer, or you've been put off by jargon and people who go too fast, this course is for you. It takes you from switching on for the first time to doing everyday things on your own: sending emails, finding things on the internet, video calling family, shopping and filling in forms online, and staying safe from scams.

Everything is explained in plain English, one small step at a time. Every new word is explained the first time it appears, and every lesson covers both Windows computers and Macs, so it works whichever one you have. You learn the mouse, trackpad and keyboard, apps and settings, and how to save, name and find your files. Then you move on to the web, email, passwords and scams, video calls, printing and scanning, and everyday tasks such as GOV.UK services, online shopping, online banking and job applications. You finish with a confident-user checklist: 27 everyday tasks, done from start to finish on your own computer.

There are 10 sections and 50 written lessons, each with a worked example, common slips, questions people often ask and a short exercise to try, and each section ends with a short quiz. You follow Lavender, a retired hairdresser in Scarborough with a Windows laptop from her son, and Momodou, a forklift driver whose warehouse closed, who needs to apply for jobs online on a Mac from his niece. They learn alongside you at a library drop-in, from their first session in July to Momodou's job offer in September. Every section has a practice pack with a worksheet, example answers and a cheat sheet, plus step cards, checklists, a keyboard shortcut sheet, a practice folder of sample files and a spot the scam sheet.

What you'll learn

• Getting started with your computer: desktops and laptops, switching on, signing in and switching off safely, your first look at the screen, and Windows and Mac side by side.
• Mouse, trackpad and keyboard: pointing, clicking, double-clicking, right-clicking, dragging and scrolling, the keys that matter, typing and correcting, and a few handy shortcuts.
• Apps, windows and settings: opening and closing apps, moving and resizing windows, sound, brightness and Wi-Fi, updates, and what to do when something freezes.
• Files and folders: saving with clear names, finding files again, making folders, moving, copying, renaming and deleting, downloads, USB memory sticks and zip files.
• The internet and your web browser: getting connected, the address bar and tabs, searching well, checking whether a website is genuine, bookmarks and zoom.
• Email: getting an email address, reading and sending, Reply, Reply all and Forward, attachments, and a tidy, safe inbox.
• Staying safe online: strong passwords with three random words, 2-step verification, spotting scam emails, texts and calls, updates and backups, and who to contact in the UK if something goes wrong.
• Video calls, printing and scanning: getting ready for and joining a video call, printing, printing to PDF, scanning documents and looking after your photos.
• Everyday tasks online: online forms, GOV.UK services, shopping and banking safely, applying for jobs and booking appointments.
• Accessibility, getting help and your final checklist: bigger text, magnifying, voice typing and read aloud, getting help safely, looking after your computer, and a confident-user checklist of 27 everyday tasks.

Who it's for

Adults who are new to computers, or who've only used one a little: older learners, people returning to work and anyone who'd like to stop asking others for help. You'll need a Windows laptop or desktop computer or a Mac, and an internet connection. You don't need an email address yet, because Section 6 shows you how to get one, and a printer is useful but not essential.

What this course is, and isn't

This course teaches everyday computer skills for Windows and Mac. Computers change, so the names, menus and pictures on your screen may be a little different from the ones described, and the lessons show you what to look for if a button has moved. The course doesn't recommend any make of computer, app or company. The safety lessons give general guidance based on advice from the National Cyber Security Centre and GOV.UK; if you've lost money to a scam, contact your bank straight away. Lavender, Momodou and every other person in the course are fictional.

What will I learn?

• Switch a computer on and off safely, sign in and find your way around the screen on Windows or a Mac
• Use a mouse, trackpad and keyboard with confidence, including copy, paste, undo and other everyday shortcuts
• Open, close and arrange apps, change everyday settings, install updates and cope calmly when something freezes
• Save, name, find and organise your files and folders, and use downloads, USB memory sticks and zip files
• Browse the web, search well, check whether a website is genuine, and use bookmarks and zoom
• Send, reply to and forward emails, add and open attachments safely and keep your inbox tidy
• Make strong passwords, turn on 2-step verification, spot scams and know who to contact in the UK if something goes wrong
• Make video calls, print, print to PDF, scan documents and look after your photos
• Fill in online forms, find official GOV.UK services, and shop, bank and apply for jobs online safely
• Adjust accessibility settings, find help safely when you’re stuck and complete a checklist of 27 everyday tasks

Frequently asked questions