Computer skills (also called digital literacy or digital technology) are part of the Essential Skills framework. Computer skills are one of the nine Essential Skills necessary for work, learning, and life in Canada (and everywhere!)
Typing or keyboarding is a basic computer skill. Most Canadian jobs require computer skills, and good computer skills start with good typing (aka keyboarding) skills. You should be able to type at least at the average speed of 30 - 35 wpm (words per minute) in order to be able to use a computer comfortably and keep up with your work. The faster, the better!
How fast can you type? Visit Typing Test and take a test to find out your wpm. You can also practice your typing on this site.
Here are some websites where you can practice your typing at home.
As with everything I suggest for you, please find and use what works for you. Please be aware that some of these are commercial sites; that is, they are trying to sell you something. We have a saying in English:There's no such thing as a free lunch. Ignore the ads. Do NOT pay for anything on these sites.If you find a good typing program on the web, please let me know and I'll add it to the wiki.
GCF Learn Free is one of the best all-round websites for learning.
Their typing tutorial is excellent.
Good typing has 27 lessons and promises to increase your typing speed with just a few hours of practice. You have to create an account but it's free.
Typing Web is a comprehensive site that offers typing lessons at different levels. You will have to create an account, but there's no cost.
Free Typing Game has typing lessons, games, and tests.
Typing Tutor starts at the beginning with basic keyboarding skills. there are different games you can try as well.
This typing tutor website, Sense-Lang, has been recommended by some ESL instructors. It has a games-based approach.
Part of ThinkQuest(websites created by students), Computer Circus offers some basic keyboard drills.
Krazy Keyboarding for Kids (Okay: they don't know how to spell "crazy" and this website is for kids. But you may still find it useful.)
Typing Test offers an easy-to-use typing test so you can measure your progress. I suggest that you not take a typing test every day; work on your skills for a few weeks first and then measure your progress. You can also practice your typing on this site.
Microsoft Office
Microsoft office includes programs such as Word, PowerPoint, and Excel. Microsoft Office (MS Office) is the most widely used office suite in North America (and maybe in the world.) Custom Guide is a business that offers online training for a fee, but also some excellent free Quick Reference Cards for Microsoft products. You will have to register with Custom Guide to be able to download these free guides.
Presentation Software, Websites, and Skills
PowerPoint is a program that helps you create presentations. "Ubiquitous" is a word that is often used to describe PowerPoint (and it's a great vocabulary word to have!) PowerPoint can be easy to learn; but it takes a lot of work to make a great PowerPoint presentation. Try the online help from MS Office. Here's a direct link for help with PowerPoint 2013.This website from the University of Florida is good if you are still using 2007.
Here are some examples of how NOT to make a PowerPoint presentation:
Here are some more links that you may find useful:
Using signposts (or signposting) is very important when giving an effective presentation.
Powerpoint is not your only option for presentations. Google Drive has a free presentation tool called Slides.All you need to access this is a free Gmail account.Both PowerPoint and Slides have slides that follow one another, in a linear way, like a straight line. Prezi is an online presentation tool that lets you move your presentation in a non-linear way. You can move your words and images in a circle if you want! You can try the public version of Prezi for free. Prezi also works very well on iPads.
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