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The Open University

Preparing for your digital life in the 21st Century

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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This free course, Preparing for your digital life in the 21st Century, provides a general overview of how digital technology has come to dominate virtually every aspect of the modern world and some guidance on how to prepare for this digital life. It also provides a more detailed explanation of the internal structure and workings of a typical computer.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Computers: From novelty to commonplace
  • 1 Computers: From novelty to commonplace
  • 1.1 The telephone
  • 1.2 The computer
  • 1.3 The information society
  • Networks and the internet
  • The rise of texting
  • 1.4 Section summary
  • 2 Some aspects of our information society
  • 2 Some aspects of our information society
  • 2.1 Business
  • Financial services
  • Commerce
  • Work
  • 2.2 Communities
  • 2.3 Information
  • 2.4 Entertainment
  • 2.5 Public services
  • Public information and services
  • Security and risk
  • 2.6 Communicating on the move
  • 2.7 Section summary
  • 3 Participating in a digital world
  • 3 Participating in a digital world
  • 3.1 Netiquette: Respecting others online
  • Thank, acknowledge and support people
  • Acknowledge before differing
  • Make clear your perspective
  • Emotions
  • Moderation
  • Some other advice
  • 3.2 Ethical and legal considerations
  • 3.3 Copyright
  • 3.4 Good academic practice
  • 3.5 Section summary
  • 4 Online safety
  • 4 Online safety
  • 4.1 Malware
  • Protecting your computer
  • 4.2 Spam
  • 4.3 Hoaxes
  • 4.4 Phishing
  • 4.5 Managing your identity online
  • 4.6 Section summary
  • 5 What’s inside my computer, and what makes it work?
  • 5 What’s inside my computer, and what makes it work?
  • 5.1 Peripherals
  • 5.2 Opening the case
  • 5.3 What's inside?
  • 5.4 Motherboard and CPU
  • 5.5 Section summary
  • Conclusion
  • Glossary
  • References
  • Acknowledgements

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Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 1 Class Central review

4.5 rating at OpenLearn based on 2 ratings

Start your review of Preparing for your digital life in the 21st Century

  • Profile image for Enrique Enriquez
    Enrique Enriquez @EEnriquez
    17
    Having completed this course, I found its descriptions to be precisely accurate, including the time commitment and the certificate of participation awarded. The curriculum provided a foundational and critical understanding of our digital information society, from the societal impact of ICT to the practicalities of online safety and computer hardware. For a potential employer, this knowledge is a significant asset, demonstrating my proactive engagement with digital literacy, a nuanced awareness of cybersecurity risks, and an understanding of the ethical and professional conduct required in a modern, technology-driven workplace.
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