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Digital · Guided lesson

Get oriented to a device

About 26 minutes
Work at your own pace. Optional videos take extra time.
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Before you begin

The idea in everyday life

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

The idea

A device is a workspace with inputs, storage, settings, and recovery—not a mystery box.

Try it

One step at a time.

Use the sample or information you have permission to use. Keep your work as you go. You can pause between steps.

  1. 1

    Locate the power, volume, network, battery, keyboard, pointer or touch controls, and help or settings area.

  2. 2

    Open accessibility settings. Try one option, such as larger text, captions, easier keyboard controls, or louder audio, that makes the device easier for you to use.

  3. 3

    Practice opening, switching, closing, restarting, and safely signing out of a non-sensitive application.

Example

See how it works.

Chris increases text size, turns on captions, and writes down how to return to the setting after using a library computer.

Check your work

Did you cover these?

  • Your work includes a device orientation card with labeled controls, one accessibility preference, and a safe recovery routine.
  • Check this common mistake: Changing a setting without recording the old state or using a shared device as if every account and file belongs to you.
  • You can find the settings and controls needed to start, adjust, save, close, and recover from a basic problem.
Your work

What to finish

A device orientation card with labeled controls, one accessibility preference, and a safe recovery routine.

Common mistake

Watch for this

Changing a setting without recording the old state or using a shared device as if every account and file belongs to you.

How can I tell I understand it?

You can find the settings and controls needed to start, adjust, save, close, and recover from a basic problem.

Try 3 questions

Quick knowledge check

Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.

Not yet passed

You’ll get an explanation for each answer. Signed in? Your results save to your account.

1Which step is part of “Get oriented to a device”?
2What should you have made by the end of this lesson?
3Which mistake should you watch for in this lesson?
0 of 3 answeredApply the lesson to a short question, then review the explanation.
1
Finish this lesson

Pass the check. We’ll save the progress.

Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.

Go to the knowledge check
Optional course overview video
DigitalLearnGetting Started on a ComputerYouTube
Optional course overview

Getting Started on a Computer

From DigitalLearn. Watch here or open it on YouTube .

Watch for an idea you can use in the practice below. You can pause or skip this optional overview.
Tools, templates, and lesson sources

Tools and templates

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Sources and further reading

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