Digital habits for an online course

Skills for Success describes digital skill as using technology to find, manage, apply, create, and share information. Official components that help in an online course include:

• Using common devices (a computer, tablet, or smartphone) and knowing basic on-screen actions.
• Navigating a page: scrolling, using Back and Next, and knowing which part of a site to open.
• Using search to find information (for example, a search box on a page).
• Storing and organizing files in folders with clear names, such as saving a worksheet into a “Courses” folder.
• Using online forms (signing in, quizzes, applications).
• Practising safe habits: create a password to protect your information, know what personal details you should not share, and be careful with risky messages.

Do not type your real course password into this lesson. If you learn on a shared computer, sign out when you finish.

If an email or pop-up asks for a password or a gift-card payment to “unlock” a lesson, stop. That is not how this course works. See also Email & Online Safety Basics in Canada for phishing and scam messages. Skills for Success specifically lists knowing how to avoid phishing emails as part of safe digital practice.

When information on the internet disagrees, Skills for Success reading skill says to think about whether an online source is relevant and trustworthy. Prefer official pages (such as Canada.ca or Alberta.ca) for rules and government programs.

If a button or video will not open, write down what you clicked and ask council staff. That is problem solving, not failure.