Digital Literacy & AI Skills Curriculum
Beginner-friendly instruction designed to build the practical computer, internet, broadband, and AI skills participants need for everyday life, education, and work.
By the End, Participants Can
- Use a computer and internet connection with greater confidence
- Communicate online
- Protect themselves from common digital risks
- Use everyday digital tools
- Understand and responsibly use basic AI tools
Who This Program Serves
- Low-income California residents
- Seniors and older adults
- Job seekers and workforce re-entrants
- Immigrants and non-English speakers (bilingual support available)
- Individuals with limited or no prior computer experience
8-Week Learning Path
36 lessons across eight weeks. AI is introduced in Week 2 — not saved for the end — while Week 1 stays focused on device setup and getting connected.
- 1.1 Computer Basics
Turn a device on/off and identify the main parts of the screen.
“The desktop is home. Icons open programs. Always shut down properly.”
- 1.2 Keyboard, Mouse & Touchpad
Click, scroll, and type with basic accuracy.
“One click selects. Two clicks opens. Shift makes capitals.”
- 1.3 Device Settings
Adjust volume/brightness and locate accessibility settings.
“Settings has more options if you ever need bigger text or other help.”
- 1.4 Connecting to Wi-Fi
Find and connect to Wi-Fi independently.
“Click the Wi-Fi symbol, find your network, type the password once.”
- 2.1 Web Browsers
Open a browser and use tabs and the address bar.
“The address bar is where you type where you want to go.”
- 2.2 Search: Google vs. AI
Understand the difference between a search engine and an AI chat tool, and when to use each.
“Search gives you links to check. AI gives you a direct answer to think about. Neither replaces the other.”
- 2.3 Your First AI Conversation
Open an AI tool and have a first successful interaction.
“AI can produce useful answers but can also be wrong, sometimes while sounding very confident. That's why we check.”
- 2.4 Safe and Confident Web Navigation
Recognize the signs of an unsafe website.
“Unexpected prize pop-ups, urgent warnings, and requests for personal information are warning signs. Don't click until you verify.”
- 3.1 Create and Manage Email
Have a working email account and understand inbox basics.
“Your inbox is your mailbox. Folders keep it organized.”
- 3.2 Attachments
Safely open, save, and add attachments.
“Save the attachments you need. Never open one from a stranger.”
- 3.3 Using AI to Draft a Message
Use AI to draft a real email, then edit it into your own voice.
“Let AI write the first draft. You make it sound like you before sending it.”
- 3.4 Video Calls & Respectful Communication
Join a video call and match tone to context.
“Match your tone to who you're writing to.”
- 4.1 Passwords
Create a strong password.
“Longer is stronger. Don't reuse the same password everywhere.”
- 4.2 Scams and Phishing
Identify phishing attempts.
“Urgent + asking for personal info = red flag.”
- 4.3 Privacy
Understand what privacy settings control.
“Privacy settings vary by app. Take a few minutes to review what's being shared.”
- 4.4 Protecting Personal Information
Identify what personal information should never be shared casually.
“If something asks for your SSN or bank info out of nowhere, stop and verify before typing anything.”
- 4.5 Recognizing Misinformation
Apply a basic check before believing or sharing information found online.
“Before you believe or share something surprising, check another trustworthy source.”
- 4.6 AI Safety: Hallucinations & Trusting AI Output
Apply the same verification habit to AI-generated output.
“AI can be confidently wrong, just like a misleading headline can look official. The same check applies to both.”
- 5.1 Online Forms
Accurately complete an online form.
“Have your info ready. Review before you submit.”
- 5.2 Documents, with AI Help
Create a document and use AI to improve or organize its content.
“AI can help you write better and faster — you're always the one who decides what stays.”
- 5.3 Cloud Storage
Understand that cloud storage keeps files accessible anywhere.
“If your file is saved to cloud storage, you can usually access it from another device.”
- 5.4 Accessing Services & Using AI to Understand Them
Navigate a services portal and use AI to clarify confusing content while protecting sensitive information.
“AI can help explain a confusing letter, but strip out your personal details first.”
- 5.5 Organizing Digital Files
Create folders and name files clearly.
“Name your files clearly. Use folders.”
- 6.1 What AI Is and Is Not
Have an accurate model of how AI works.
“AI predicts. It doesn't know. That's the whole idea to remember.”
- 6.2 Everyday Uses, Expanded
List multiple realistic AI use cases relevant to your own life.
“AI is a starting point, not the final word on anything important.”
- 6.3 Responsible Use, Revisited in Depth
Explain hallucination risk to someone else.
“Confidently wrong is still wrong. Always double-check.”
- 6.4 Writing Clear Prompts
Write a specific, detailed prompt.
“The more specific you are, the more useful the answer.”
- 7.1 Use AI for Writing
Produce a real piece of writing with AI help.
“AI drafts. You finish it in your own voice.”
- 7.2 Planning
Use AI to break a task into steps.
“AI turns overwhelming tasks into simple lists.”
- 7.3 Learning
Use AI to get something explained more simply.
“Confused? Ask AI to explain it more simply — and ask again a different way if needed.”
- 7.4 Job Search and Everyday Tasks
Use AI to support a real job search task.
“AI is a practice partner, not a replacement for your own experience.”
- 7.5 Verify AI-Generated Information
Consistently verify AI output before using it for anything real.
“Before you use anything AI gives you for something real — check it.”
- 8.1 Hands-On Skills Review
Demonstrate core skills, including AI use, with support.
“You've done all of this before. Today is just practice.”
- 8.2 Independent Practice
Know how to keep building skills after the program.
“Practice assessments are free and open to anyone.”
- 8.3 Broadband Resources
Know where to find ongoing low-cost internet.
“Here's exactly where to go if you need continued access.”
- 8.4 Personal Digital & AI Action Plan
Leave with a written plan.
“You're leaving with a real plan, not just a memory of eight weeks.”
Curriculum at a Glance
| Week | Focus | What you practice |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | Getting Comfortable With Technology | Computer Basics • Keyboard, Mouse & Touchpad • Device Settings • Connecting to Wi-Fi |
| Week 2 | Internet Basics & Meeting AI | Web Browsers • Search: Google vs. AI • Your First AI Conversation • Safe and Confident Web Navigation |
| Week 3 | Email, Communication & AI-Assisted Writing | Create and Manage Email • Attachments • Using AI to Draft a Message • Video Calls & Respectful Communication |
| Week 4 | Staying Safe Online (Including AI Safety) | Passwords • Scams and Phishing • Privacy • Protecting Personal Information • Recognizing Misinformation • AI Safety: Hallucinations & Trusting AI Output |
| Week 5 | Everyday Digital Tools, Powered by AI | Online Forms • Documents, with AI Help • Cloud Storage • Accessing Services & Using AI to Understand Them • Organizing Digital Files |
| Week 6 | AI Literacy: Going Deeper | What AI Is and Is Not • Everyday Uses, Expanded • Responsible Use, Revisited in Depth • Writing Clear Prompts |
| Week 7 | AI for Life, Learning & Work | Use AI for Writing • Planning • Learning • Job Search and Everyday Tasks • Verify AI-Generated Information |
| Week 8 | Practice, Certification & Next Steps | Hands-On Skills Review • Independent Practice • Broadband Resources • Personal Digital & AI Action Plan |