Getting started in digital skills: learning about your smartphone (complete beginner)

What is the course about?

This course will help you make the most of your smartphone so you can be confident and safe when you use it. You will learn some key terminology to help you understand how the smartphone works and identify for example the version of the ‘operating system’ you are using and what a SIM card is. You will focus on some of the key features of the phone and how to use them - home screen, status bar, notifications and navigation bar. You will also look at how to change the settings, using Wi-Fi, access your emails and customise various features. We will focus on managing your apps – how to add them and delete them from your phone, where to put them, how to organise them so they are easy to find. You will practise navigating between different screens. Finally, you will learn about data storage – how to control this, how to free up space on your phone, how to make sure you don’t go over your limit, how to store large files such as photos and music. You will learn how to maximise the battery life of your phone and control which apps are running at any one time on your phone. You will also learn about security and how to make sure the data you access via your phone is safe and private especially when syncing. Finally you will look at a variety of popular apps you can use for example to make group video calls.

What will we cover?

We will aim to cover all or most of the following:
• key terminology about how a smartphone works to help identify for example the version of the ‘operating system’ you are using and what is SIM card
• key features of the phone and how to use them - home screen, status bar, notifications and navigation bar
• changing settings
• using Wi-Fi
• customising various features
• managing apps – how to add and delete them from your phone, where to put them, how to organise them so they are easy to find
• how to navigate between different screens
• identifying data storage – how to control this, how to free up space on your phone, how to make sure you don’t go over your limit, how to store large files such as photos and music.
• maximising battery life and controlling which apps are running at any one time on your phone
• security and how to make sure the data you access via your phone is safe and private especially when syncing
• a variety of popular apps you can use for example to make group video calls.

What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...

Most or all of the following:
• identify and use key terminology about how a smartphone works
• identify the version of the ‘operating system’ you are using and what SIM card is
• identify and use key features of the phone - home screen, status bar, notifications and navigation bar
• change key settings
• use Wi-Fi
• customise your phone
• manage apps – including adding and deleting them from your phone, know where to put them, how to organise them so they are easy to find, navigate between different screens, pin apps to certain screens, and identify the difference is between an app and a widget
• control data storage so you can free up space on your phone, make sure you don’t go over your limit, store large files such as photos and music.
• maximise the phone’s battery use life and control which apps are running at any one time on your phone
• make your phone secure including all the data you access via your phone especially when syncing
• back up your files
• use a variety of popular apps for example to make group video calls.

What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?

This is a beginners'' course for those who wish to improve their general digital literacy and in particular those looking to become more confident on their smartphone – a computer in your pocket!

How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?

You will learn in a supportive and welcoming environment with an emphasis on your discovering how to do and complete tasks and functions, with guidance from the tutor. You will learn in a step by step manner so you can achieve challenging aims in an enjoyable and productive way. You will have lots of opportunities to practise as well as understand what you are doing and why. Everyone will be encouraged to participate and interact in a way that is best for them, including working in pairs and groups, as well as on your own. You will need to do work outside the classroom and use Google Classroom to help you.

Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?

You will need to have your own smartphone. There are no additional costs.

When I've finished, what course can I do next?

We recommend completing our Becoming Confident series to gain a good foundation in digital skills. This programme includes:
• Learning to use your smartphone (Android). This course will consolidate what you learn on this course.
• Getting started: becoming confident on your computer and online (complete beginner)
• Getting started: learning about your smartphone (complete beginner)
• Getting started: becoming confident on Instagram and TikTok (complete beginners)
• Getting started: becoming confident on Facebook and Twitter (complete beginners)
• Becoming confident in file management and Windows 10 on your PC (beginners)
• Becoming confident in file management and Windows 11 on your PC (beginners)
• Making sense of Windows 11
• Becoming confident on the cloud: OneDrive and Google drive - a new way of sharing and managing your files (foundation)
• Becoming confident and secure with mobile data: safely managing and syncing your files and accounts across your computer, smartphone and tablet (foundation)
• Becoming confident in digital security: how to protect your data and privacy on your PC, Internet and smartphone

You can also do classes in the maths and English areas.

For more information, talk with your tutor or contact universal.skills@citylit.ac.uk / 020 4582 0423.