The Life Starter
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Course 53 · Workforce foundation 03

Digital Basics for Work and School

Build the baseline computer, browser, email, file, form, and troubleshooting skills that many work and learning systems quietly assume.

What you’ll leave with

A safe digital onboarding packet with organized files, a professional email, a completed mock form, accessibility settings, and a troubleshooting checklist.

Start course Works without an account · saves on this device
Watch first

A useful primer before lesson one.

This video is published by DigitalLearn. It complements the Life Starter sequence; it does not replace the work inside the lessons.

Watch directly on YouTube
DigitalLearnGetting Started on a ComputerYouTube
Course handbook

Know the route before you begin.

This is the working brief for the full course: who it serves, what to prepare, what good work looks like, and the language you will use along the way.

Who this is for

Learners who are new to computers, returning after time away, using a shared device, or trying to meet work and school requirements with less friction.

Prepare before lesson one
  • Use a computer, tablet, or phone you are allowed to practice on; the concepts transfer across devices.
  • Create a fictional name, email, and file set for practice instead of using a Social Security number, bank detail, or employer record.
  • Turn on captions, zoom, keyboard navigation, or other supports that make the practice accessible to you.
Your final project

Finish with proof you can use.

Complete a mock digital onboarding packet: create a folder, name and export a document, attach it to a professional email, complete a non-sensitive form, and write a troubleshooting record.

Three operating principles

The rules behind the steps.

01

Learn the pattern, not one button

Different devices and apps change labels, but files, permissions, inputs, outputs, and recovery steps remain recognizable.

02

Protect the person using the system

Digital fluency includes privacy, accessibility, safe defaults, and knowing when to stop before submitting sensitive information.

03

Leave a recovery trail

A filename, saved copy, confirmation, and clear support question make the next attempt faster and safer.

Working vocabulary

Key terms worth knowing.

Operating system
The core software that manages a device’s hardware, settings, files, and applications.
Browser
An application used to visit websites and web applications, such as a page for a form or learning platform.
File format
The structure identified by an extension such as .pdf or .docx that affects how a file opens or can be edited.
Accessibility setting
A device or application option that changes interaction, display, sound, timing, or input to support participation.
Your route

Six lessons.
One finished outcome.

Work in order the first time. Each lesson makes something the next lesson can use.

  1. 1
    Up next

    Get oriented to a device

    Identify the basic controls, settings, input methods, accessibility options, and safe shutdown or restart steps on a device.

  2. 2
    29 min

    Use a browser with purpose

    Navigate tabs, addresses, search, downloads, bookmarks, and private information with a repeatable process.

  3. 3
    34 min

    Create and use email safely

    Compose a clear message, use recipients and attachments carefully, and recognize basic account-safety decisions.

  4. 4
    33 min

    Organize files and PDFs

    Create folders, use meaningful filenames, export a file to PDF, and keep a recoverable copy without oversharing.

  5. 5
    35 min

    Complete online forms and portals

    Prepare answers, upload a non-sensitive file, review a form, and preserve a confirmation without submitting private data to practice.

  6. 6
    32 min

    Troubleshoot a common problem

    Describe a digital problem, test low-risk fixes, preserve work, and ask support for the right next step.

Use the tools

Make the lesson easier to act on.

See all tools
workbook

Digital basics checklist

Practice a safe file, email, portal, and access routine with the toolkit.

Source transparency

Trust, then verify.

The practice sequence is original editorial synthesis. Current rules, safety details, and platform requirements should be confirmed with these primary or authoritative sources. References reviewed September 9, 2026.

Northstar Digital Literacy — Assessment categoriesNorthstar Digital Literacy — Free assessmentsDigitalLearn — Public Library Association
Ready when you are

Start with the first useful move.

You’ll always know what to do, what to make, and where to go next.

Start lesson one