LThe Life Starter
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Lesson 1 of 6
Digital · Guided lesson

Get oriented to a device

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

About 31 minutes Finish with a concrete deliverable
DigitalLearnGetting Started on a ComputerYouTube
Course primer

Getting Started on a Computer

From DigitalLearn. Watch here or open it on YouTube .

During the course primer, listen for ideas that change how you approach “Get oriented to a device.” Pause once to capture a useful point, then apply it while producing a device orientation card with labeled controls, one accessibility preference, and a safe recovery routine.
Before you begin

What this lesson is really solving.

Identify the basic controls, settings, input methods, accessibility options, and safe shutdown or restart steps on a device. This is lesson 1 because later decisions depend on a device orientation card with labeled controls, one accessibility preference, and a safe recovery routine. A device is a workspace with inputs, storage, settings, and recovery—not a mystery box. Use your own numbers, files, environment, and constraints so the result survives outside the course.

Why this works

Understand the idea before touching the steps.

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

Do this

Follow these steps in order.

Take the action in each step; then use the deliverable below to prove the lesson is finished.

  1. 1

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

  2. 2

    Open accessibility settings and test one display, input, caption, or audio option that could reduce friction.

  3. 3

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

Worked example

See the standard in context.

Chris increases text size, turns on captions, and writes down how to return to the setting after using a library computer. The learner saves a device orientation card with labeled controls, one accessibility preference, and a safe recovery routine and notes the evidence or assumption behind the choice so it can be reviewed and improved later.

Quality check

Inspect before you move on.

  • The finished work visibly includes a device orientation card with labeled controls, one accessibility preference, and a safe recovery routine.
  • You tested the work against this common failure: Changing a setting without recording the old state or using a shared device as if every account and file belongs to you.
  • Another person could verify this mastery standard: You can find the settings and controls needed to start, adjust, save, close, and recover from a basic problem.
Make it real

Your deliverable

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.

You’re ready when

Prove it—don’t just recognize it.

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

Objective evidence · 3 questions

Quick knowledge check

Answer from the lesson—not from confidence alone. Score at least 2 of 3 to unlock completion.

Not yet passed

This curriculum-aligned check is scored automatically and stored with your account when signed in. It is an objective learning signal, but it has not yet been independently validated as a standardized assessment.

1Which action belongs in the recommended process for “Get oriented to a device”?
2Which result is the clearest evidence that this lesson’s work is complete?
3Which choice matches the failure this lesson specifically warns against?
0 of 3 answeredEach question measures the action, evidence, or failure condition taught above.
Useful for this course

Tools, templates, and references

Digital basics checklistPractice a safe file, email, portal, and access routine with the toolkit.
Check current detailsReferences reviewed September 9, 2026. Lesson exercises are editorial synthesis; official rules come from the linked sources.
Northstar Digital Literacy — Assessment categoriesNorthstar Digital Literacy — Free assessmentsDigitalLearn — Public Library Association
1
One check remains

Pass the knowledge check above first.

Completion unlocks after a score of 2 out of 3. Then confirm that you produced the lesson deliverable.

Go to the knowledge check