Computer Skills And Literacy
Purpose of Course showclose
Course Information showclose
Course Designer: LaToya L. Trowers
Primary Resources: This course is comprised of a range of different free, online materials. However, the course makes primary use of the following resources:
Requirements for Completion: In order to complete this course, you will need to work through each unit and all of its assigned materials. The course is designed to allow you to successfully build upon the knowledge learned in the last subunit. It is important that you work carefully through each section in order to successfully understand the concepts and take detailed notes.
In order to “pass” this course, you will need to earn a 70% or higher on the final exam. Your score on the exam will be tabulated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam, you may take it again.
Time Commitment: This course should take you a total of approximately 3 hours to complete. Please plan additional time for note taking and exploration of embedded links of interest to you. Each unit includes a “time advisory” that lists the approximate amount of time you are expected to spend on each subunit. This should help you determine how to budget your time to complete each of the three units.
Tips/Suggestions: This course is designed to provide individuals with the basic computer skills they will likely need in order to be successful in the job market. It will provide you with an introduction to important concepts and terms so that you will gain increased confidence in learning how to use computers. Feel free to replay or reread certain sections of the course in order to gain a better understanding of the information.
![]() |
A version of this course is also available in iTunes U.
Preview the course in your browser or view our entire suite of iTunes U courses. |
Learning Outcomes showclose
- Identify the components of a computer.
- Describe the differences between hardware and software.
- List common computing terminology.
- Define what the Internet is as well as its uses.
- Explain the importance of security and privacy
- List common techniques for troubleshooting computer issues.
Course Requirements showclose
√ Have access to a computer.
√ Have continuous broadband Internet access.
√ Have the ability/permission to install plug-ins (e.g., Adobe Reader or Flash) and software.
√ Have the ability to download and save files and documents to a computer.
√ Have the ability to open Microsoft files and documents (e.g., doc., ppt, xls, etc.).
√ Have competency in the English language.
√ Have read the Saylor Student Handbook.
Unit Outline show close
Expand All Resources Collapse All Resources
-
Unit 1: Getting Started
In this first unit, we will learn about a variety of fundamentals that are important for you to understand as you work through this computer course. There are four subunits and each subunit contains specific readings and videos that will enhance the learning experience. Computers can be challenging to some people and this unit will help you better understand computing and its importance in society.
Unit 1 Time Advisory show close
Unit 1 Learning Outcomes show close
-
1.1 Introduction to Computers
- Web Media: The Saylor Foundation’s Computer Skills and Literacy - "Getting Started"
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s Computer Skills and Literacy - "Getting Started" (YouTube)
Instructions: Please view this brief video for an introduction to the course and an explanation of the material you will need to master.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Microsoft’s “Introduction to Computers”
Link: Microsoft’s “Introduction to Computers” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read the information on this website and take detailed notes, as this section provides you with a foundation for introducing you to computers. This section should take around 20 minutes to complete.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: The Saylor Foundation’s Computer Skills and Literacy - "Getting Started"
-
1.2 Computer Tour
- Web Media: DactaDork Videos’ “How Computers Work”
Link: YouTube: DactaDork Videos’ “How Computers Work” (YouTube)
Instructions: Please view this video to learn more about the components of a computer. This will provide you with a framework for how computers function. Viewing the video and taking notes should take less than 10 minutes to complete.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: DactaDork Videos’ “How Computers Work”
-
1.3 Computer Software
- Web Media: Common Craft’s “Computer Software”
Link: Common Craft’s “Computer Software” (Adobe Flash)
Instructions: Please view the above to learn more about what computer software is and how it affects computing. View the video and take notes. It should take less than 10 minutes to complete this assignment.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: Common Craft’s “Computer Software”
-
1.4 Computer Concepts and Terminology
- Reading: University of New Mexico, Los Alamos: Thomas E. Beach’s “Computer Concepts and Terminology”
Link: University of New Mexico, Los Alamos: Thomas E. Beach’s “Computer Concepts and Terminology” (HTML)
Instructions: This will provide you with an overview of common computer terminology and associated meanings. This section should around 20 minutes to complete. Please make sure to take notes.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 1 Assessment”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 1 Assessment”
Instructions: Complete these five multiple choice questions. The correct answers will be displayed when you click “Submit.”
Completing this assessment should take approximately 10 minutes.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: University of New Mexico, Los Alamos: Thomas E. Beach’s “Computer Concepts and Terminology”
-
Unit 2: The Internet and the World Wide Web
Now that we have an understanding of the basics of a computer, we focus on the Internet and the World Wide Web. The following four subunits will introduce us to these important concepts used today in order to enhance your computer experience. It is also important to be aware of securing your privacy while using the Internet and that will be covered in this unit as well.
Unit 2 Time Advisory show close
Unit 2 Learning Outcomes show close
-
2.1 The Internet
- Web Media: The Saylor Foundation’s Computer Skills and Literacy - "The Internet and the World Wide Web"
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s Computer Skills and Literacy - "The Internet and the World Wide Web" (YouTube)
Instructions: Please view this brief video.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: VIKO—Your Guide to Information Literacy’s “What is the Internet?”
Link: VIKO—Your Guide to Information Literacy’s “What is the Internet?” (PDF)
Instructions: Please read the entirety of this page. This section should take about 20 minutes to complete. Please make sure to take notes.
Terms of Use: The article above is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License (HTML). It is attributed to VIKO, and the original version can be found here (HTML).See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: The Saylor Foundation’s Computer Skills and Literacy - "The Internet and the World Wide Web"
-
2.2 The World Wide Web
- Web Media: Common Craft’s “World Wide Web”
Link: Common Craft’s “World Wide Web” (Adobe Flash)
Instructions: Please view this video to learn more about the World Wide Web and how it works. Viewing the video and taking notes should take less than 10 minutes to complete.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: Common Craft’s “World Wide Web”
-
2.3 Communicating on the Internet
- Reading: Kabissa Wiki’s “Communicating with People through the Internet”
Link: Kabissa Wiki’s “Communicating with People through the Internet” (PDF)
Instructions: Please read the above article and take notes, which focuses on one of the most common methods of communicating online through e-mail. This unit provides detailed information to help you understand this important concept. This section should take 20 minutes to complete.
Terms of Use: The article above is released under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 License (HTML). It is attributed to Kabissa Wiki, and the original version can be found here (HTML).See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Kabissa Wiki’s “Communicating with People through the Internet”
-
2.4 Protecting Privacy
- Reading: Karen Coyle’s “Protecting Privacy”
Link: Karen Coyle’s “Protecting Privacy” (PDF)
Instructions: Please read the entirety of this page. This reading should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Terms of Use: The article above is released under a Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial No Derivatives 2.0 License (HTML). It is attributed to Karen Coyle, and the original version can be found here (HTML).See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 2 Assessment”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 2 Assessment”
Instructions: Complete these five multiple choice questions. The correct answers will be displayed when you click “Submit.”
Completing this assessment should take approximately 10 minutes.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Karen Coyle’s “Protecting Privacy”
-
Unit 3: Computer Security and Troubleshooting
In this final unit of the course, we will build upon the previous concepts discussed and examine computer security and learn common troubleshooting techniques. The following four subunits will allow us to identify common security threats and provide recommendations for enhancing your security. Periodic computer issues are to be expected, as computers do not always perform or function properly, and we will identify common problems and learn how to resolve some of these issues.
Unit 3 Time Advisory show close
Unit 3 Learning Outcomes show close
-
3.1 What is Computer Security?
- Web Media: The Saylor Foundation’s Computer Skills and Literacy - "Computer Security and Troubleshooting"
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s Computer Skills and Literacy - "Computer Security and Troubleshooting" (YouTube)
Instructions: Please view this brief video.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Information Systems: “Chapter 13, Sections 1 and 2”
Link: Information Systems: “Chapter 13, Sections 1 and 2” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read these sections.
Reading and taking notes of these two sections should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.
Terms of Use: This text was adapted by Andy Schmitz under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 License without attribution as requested by the work’s original creator or licensee.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Web Media: The Saylor Foundation’s Computer Skills and Literacy - "Computer Security and Troubleshooting"
-
3.2 Protecting your PC
- Reading: Get Safe Online: “Safeguarding Identity"Link: Get Safe Online: “Safeguarding Identity” (HTML)
Instructions: Please click on the click above, and read the page on “Safeguarding Identity” in its entirety.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: Get Safe Online: “Safeguarding Identity"
-
3.3 Computer Troubleshooting
- Reading: TechSoup: Brian Satterfield’s “Do-It-Yourself Desktop Troubleshooting”
Link: TechSoup: Brian Satterfield’s “Do-It-Yourself Desktop Troubleshooting” (HTML)
Instructions: Please view these videos and take notes, which should take approximately 15 minutes to complete.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: TechSoup: Brian Satterfield’s “Do-It-Yourself Desktop Troubleshooting”
-
3.4 Computer Basics—Maintaining a PC
- Reading: TechSoup: Zac Mutrux’s “Keeping Older Computers Alive”
Link: TechSoup: Zac Mutrux’s “Keeping Older Computers Alive” (HTML)
Instructions: Please read the above article, which provides you with essential information on extending the life of your computer. Please take notes while reading the article, which should take around 15 minutes to complete.
Terms of use: Please respect the copyright and terms of use displayed on the webpage above.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Assessment: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 3 Assessment”
Link: The Saylor Foundation’s “Unit 3 Assessment”
Instructions: Complete these five multiple choice questions. The correct answers will be displayed when you click “Submit.”
Completing this assessment should take approximately 10 minutes.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Reading: TechSoup: Zac Mutrux’s “Keeping Older Computers Alive”
-
Final Exam
- Final Exam: The Saylor Foundation's "PRDV001 Final Exam"
Link: The Saylor Foundation's "PRDV001 Final Exam" (HTML)
Instructions: You must be logged into your Saylor Foundation School account in order to access this exam. If you do not yet have an account, you will be able to create one, free of charge, after clicking the link.See a broken link? Please let us know!
- Final Exam: The Saylor Foundation's "PRDV001 Final Exam"
Questions? Consult the FAQ's!


