Microsoft Digital Literacy

As teachers in Trinidad and Tobago move towards acquiring technological pedagogical content knowledge (TPACK), the Microsoft Digital Literacy tutorial may prove useful.  Appropriate for the teenage or adult learner, this linear tutorial offers entire instructional sequences in Computer Basics, The Internet and the World Wide Web, Productivity Programs, Computer Security and Privacy. and Digital Lifestyles.  An advanced curriculum includes Creating an Internet Email Account, and Writing a great resume by using Microsoft Word. 

This tutorial offers several advantages:

•  Online and offline options for use
• Gives a choice of curriculum version based on your version of Microsoft Office
• Features include a full text search capability, bookmark, note taking, help, community forum, and study sheets for each module
• Action buttons and toggle feature support easy navigation through the content using an icon view or text view
• Multimedia - contains interactive content, simulations and practice, text, appropriate graphics, videos, tables, animations, games and demonstrations thereby appealing to different types of learners
• Detailed course description, course objectives and course prerequisites to assist learners in choosing courses relevant to their needs
• Assessments which can be done at any point during the learning process 
• Allows thorough user control

Snapshot of screen

Although this directed form of instruction is criticized by constructivists like Piaget, Bruner and Vygotsky, the self paced learning and review, remediation opportunities, and development of automaticity gained from this tutorial will redound to the benefit of those who use it.  This objectivist approach is supported by theorists such as Skinner and Gagne.

Be warned, however, that several user issues may arise:

• Even with a broadband connection, the tutorial may not run
• Extensive feedback is not given resulting in user having to review an entire course rather than a topic following an assessment
• Scores are sometimes not returned after having done an assessment
• Inappropriate for classroom use because issues arise when multiple users try to access the site at the same time

The following links may be used to access the courses:

http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/citizenship/giving/programs/up/digitalliteracy/eng/Curriculum2.mspx#ComputerBasics

 http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/citizenship/giving/programs/up/digitalliteracy/eng/Curriculum2.mspx#productivitysoftware

 http://www.microsoft.com/about/corporatecitizenship/citizenship/giving/programs/up/digitalliteracy/eng/Curriculum2.mspx#digitallifestyles

Considering the often unreliable internet service provided in Trinidad and Tobago, online tutorials may not always be appropriate instructional software.  If one can get pass that hurdle, however, Microsoft Digital Literacy may prove useful to teacher and student alike.