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Helpful to get a big picture idea of what digital literacy encompasses. Great for formulating objectives. A few lesson ideas.

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Free resource to create your own online activities and practices for students. Most helpful activities: manipulatives, matching games, and typing tests

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Flippity.net: Flashcards and Other Resources for Educators and Learners

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Create an interactive virtual breakout activity.

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DRAW (2022) Report on Adult Literacy Instruction  

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DRAW (2022) Report on Adult Literacy Instruction  

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Helpful for background information and suggestions for overall instructional practices.

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Create your own digital activities. Great for vocabulary learning and mouse skills practice. Free account allows up to 5 activities.

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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Need a fresh teaching resource that fits your class and teaching style? Create a customized pack of interactive and printable activities in just one minute.

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Rachel Riggs's Digital Literacy Action Plan (2022)

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Rachel Riggs's Digital Literacy Action Plan (2022)

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Outlines challenges with teaching digital literacy in the ESL classroom. Proposed solution for individual classroom teachers.

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LINCS Brief re: Digital Literacy & ESL Instruction (2017)

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LINCS Brief re: Digital Literacy & ESL Instruction (2017)

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Good background/foundation information about the challenges and potential solutions.

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Research study from Wang et al. (2024) surveying program directors re: challenges

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Research study from Wang et al. (2024) surveying program directors re: challenges

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Survey of adult education program directors in Texas. Findings including factors that contribute to successful technology integration & common barriers.

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DART: A Foundation Digital Literacy ESL Curriculum

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DART: A Foundation Digital Literacy ESL Curriculum

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Detailed lesson plans with teaching ideas and handouts for low-level very basic digital literacy skills. Links within the lesson plans to online digital practice. Some links may be broken.

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DART: A Foundational Digital Literacy ESL Curriculum

Table of Contents

Keyboard

Security

Parts of a Computer

Using a Computer

Going Online

Creating Accounts

Safety

Searching

Troubleshooting

Review

Intro

The Digital Access and Resilience in Texas (DART) curriculum integrates beginning English language learning with foundational digital skills. The curriculum is intended to supplement existing English language instruction in lower-level adult English as a Second Language (ESL) classes. DART is an adaptation of the A-OK To Access curriculum developed for Tyson by the same authors.

The DART curriculum provides the foundation that lower-level English language learners need to recognize and type the wide variety of characters required for most online passwords. The curriculum focuses on teaching students the skills necessary to accomplish eight major "milestones" on the way to successfully creating and logging in and out of an online account.

Intro and Appendices | Editable Version
Download the Full Curriculum

Keyboard

Lesson 1: Lowercase Alphabet Introduction
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students review the lowercase alphabet.

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Resources:
Lesson 2: Lowercase Alphabet on the Keyboard
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will locate the lowercase letters of the alphabet on a modified image of a phone keyboard.

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Resources:
Lesson 3: Uppercase Alphabet Introduction
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students review the uppercase alphabet and distinguish between the lowercase and uppercase alphabet.

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Resources:
Lesson 4: Uppercase Alphabet on the Keyboard
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will locate the uppercase letters of the alphabet on an image of the keyboard.

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Resources:
Lesson 5: Numbers and Special Keys on the Keyboard
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will identify the numbers 0 - 9 and common special keys on a Windows keyboard, match the words zero - nine to the numbers, orally exchange phone numbers, and type a message on their phones that uses lowercase and uppercase letters, numbers, and special keys.

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Resources:
Lesson 6: Symbols on the Keyboard
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will identify common symbols, locate them on the keyboard, and use prepositions of place to describe their locations on the keyboard.

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Resources: Download the Full Curriculum

Security

Lesson 7: Introduction to Security
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will learn how usernames and passwords used in logins provide security for their information and differentiate between strong and weak passwords.

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Lesson 8: Strong and Weak Passwords
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will differentiate between strong and weak passwords and dictate, transcribe, and type passwords consisting of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols.

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Resources: Download the Full Curriculum

Using a Computer

Lesson 10: Computer Sign In and Sign Out
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will turn on and wake up a computer, use a username and password to log in to a computer, and lock, sign out of, and shut down a computer.

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Resources:
Lesson 11: Using the Windows Desktop
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will learn the basics of the Windows desktop and taskbar, how to open an app shortcut from the desktop or taskbar, how to minimize, maximize, and close an open app window.

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Resources: Download the Full Curriculum

Going Online

Lesson 12: Connecting to the Internet
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will check the Wi-Fi connection on their computers and log in with a username and password provided by the teacher.

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Resources:
Lesson 13: Using Google Chrome
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will learn parts of the Google Chrome window, how to navigate in Chrome using linked text and objects and the back and forward buttons, and how to scroll in a window.

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Resources: Download the Full Curriculum

Creating Accounts

Lesson 14: Understanding Online Accounts
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will complete online forms, identify login requirements, and create and log in to an online account.

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Resources:
Lesson 15: Creating Strong Passwords
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will identify requirements for strong passwords and create a strong password that is strong but easy to remember.

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Resources:
Lesson 16: Creating a Gmail Account
Lesson Overview: In this lesson, students will create, log in, and log out of a Gmail account.

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Resources: Download the Full Curriculum

Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

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TCALL is the statewide Adult Education and Literacy professional development and resource center for Texas, housed at Texas A&M University.

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Slides with definitions of digital literacy terms. Several themes are verb basic (computer, mouse & keyboard, navigation) while other themes are more advanced. Copyable and free to use!

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Digital Skills Glossary - Digital Skills Library

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Digital Skills Glossary Instructor Guide

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Digital Skills Glossary Instructor Guide

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Digital Skills Glossary instructor guide has activity ideas with some links to external digital activities.

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Digital Skills Glossary Instructor Guide

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Classroom Routines to Build Essential Basic Computer Skills (NorthStar)

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Classroom Routines to Build Essential Basic Computer Skills (NorthStar)

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This resource has links to content that is behind paywalls/needs to be purchased, however, it also has fantastic free Google slides on basic digital skill routines. Find these links in the second column on the charts on pages 6-8.

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Free slides on various digital literacy skills. Some basic skills (mouse, internet, online forms). Not all links are currently working.

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Click on the links below to open lesson slides or screencast videos of the lessons.
*If you plan to use these lesson slides, they do not yet include a lesson plan. Some slides may also contain copyrighted or non-OER images.

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Click on the links below to open lesson slides or screencast videos of the lessons. *If you plan to use these lesson slides, they do not yet include a lesson plan. Some slides may also contain...

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Northstar Digital Literacy - List of External Resources

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Northstar Digital Literacy - List of External Resources

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External links to webpages, videos, and practice activities compiled by Northstar. No links are behind a paywall, but some may not be active anymore.

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This page includes a variety of publicly available learning resources that may support additional practice with Northstar standards. These resources were not created by Northstar and this list of external resources is not being actively maintained by our team.

We have developed 1:1 Digital Literacy Skills Volunteer Tutor Plans, resources to support volunteer tutors working with learners one-on-one. These resources guide tutors who are accessing external resources. The plans help tutors follow best practice in instruction while targeting specific digital literacy skills learners need to work on.

Please note, we now provide comprehensive classroom curricula for each assessment, which have been created by Northstar - these curricula are available only through Northstar testing locations. Learn more about becoming a testing location.

In the resources below, note that links to a links to a links to an activity resource. media resource, and text resource,

External Resources for
Essential Computer Skills

External Resources for
Essential Software Skills

External Resources for
Using Technology in Daily Life

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This page includes a variety of publicly available learning resources that may support additional practice with Northstar standards. These resources were not created by Northstar and this list of external resources is not being actively maintained by our team. We have developed 1:1 Digital Literacy Skills Volunteer Tutor Plans, resources to support volunteer tutors working with learners one-on-one.

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Free online tutorials that cover various topics. Mouse Tutorial and Typing Tutorial are especially helpful for very basic learners.

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If you’re new to computers, we can help. These tutorials will help empower you to be more comfortable with this type of technology, from learning the parts of a computer to using a mouse.

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Free video lessons. Not ESL focused. Many are more advanced, but some such as the basic Gmail introduction could be useful.

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Basic Digital Literacy Skills for Adults - Applied Digital Skills

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Explore a library of online classes that are free of charge and designed to help adults with basic digital skills. Start learning with our digital literacy curriculum today.

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Flippity - Manipulatives (Spelling for Mouse work)

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Flippity - Manipulatives (Spelling for Mouse work)

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Manipulative activity to have low-level learners practice mouse skills by spelling

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© 2019-2025 Flippity.net. All Rights Reserved.

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Flippity - Manipulatives (Sentence building for Mouse work)

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Flippity - Manipulatives (Sentence building for Mouse work)

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Manipulative activity to have low-level learners practice mouse skills by making sentences

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© 2019-2025 Flippity.net. All Rights Reserved.

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Flippity - Matching (basic computer action vocabulary)

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Flippity - Matching (basic computer action vocabulary)

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© 2017-2025 Flippity.net. All Rights Reserved.

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Flippity - Typing (shift key & basic  numbers and symbols)

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Flippity - Typing (shift key & basic  numbers and symbols)

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Typing practice to practice using the shift key typing some symbols.

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© 2018-2025 Flippity.net. All Rights Reserved.

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Activity to practice basic computer vocabulary and mouse skills (drag and drop)

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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left click, right click, scroll wheel, double click, drag, scroll, minimize , maximize, close , browser, hand cursor, arrow cursor, text cursor, expand.

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Activity to practice symbol vocabulary

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Wordwall - Create better lessons quicker

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period - ., at symbol - @, slash - /, dash - - , exclamation mark - !, question mark - ?, dollar sign - $, number sign - #, comma - ,, apostrophe - '.

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Good for practicing proper finger position on the keyboard. Can practice without creating an account, but it can help if students create their own account to save their progress.

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Learn to Type | Type Better | Type Faster - Typing.com

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World's most popular free typing program! Typing.com's K-12 typing curriculum features touch typing, digital citizenship, coding lessons, and games.

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Practice with dragging and dropping. 12 short puzzles. Students can complete independently, but shouldn’t be allowed to go on to the next task as this is part of a coding practice.

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Jigsaw: Learn to drag and drop #1 | Course 1 - Code.org

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Anyone can learn computer science. Make games, apps and art with code.

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Direct link to a slide/short video within a larger NorthStar Digital Literacy Practice on mouse skills just to focus on drag and drop; Short activity unless student moves forward into the other slides; English level higher; May need teacher assistance

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Game to practice mouse speed and accuracy. Target audience for website is K-12.

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Vocabulary matching activities (5) on web browser vocabulary; Student may be able to complete independently

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This is a word set for learning English (US) vocabulary words including next, refresh, back, home page, minimize, maximize, close. Enjoy learning.

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Vocabulary matching activities (5) on internet browser vocabulary; Students may be able to complete independently

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This is a word set for learning English (US) vocabulary words including Internet Browsers, Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, address bar, tab, create a new tab. Enjoy learning.

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Comparison of Digital Literacy Curriculum Resources for ESL

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Comparison of Digital Literacy Curriculum Resources for ESL

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Switchboard wrote up a fantastic guide evaluating the digital literacy resources for ESL learners out there.

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An A La Carte Guide to Digital Literacy: Comparing Assessment and Curriculum Resources - Switchboard

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Newcomers who develop digital skills find employment faster and achieve economic self-sufficiency sooner. By investing in digital literacy training, resettlement agencies can help newcomers build confidence and create meaningful connections as they transition from initial support to full workforce participation. Many local resettlement agencies have requested guidance on offering a robust digital literacy (DL) curriculum to...