Are you new to using computers? Do you wonder what people mean when they talk about the cloud, Windows, ISP, or apps? Or perhaps you just want to know more about how computers work. 

• When it comes to learning today’s technology, the Computer Basics tutorial from Goodwill Community Foundation’s LearnFree site has all of the basic concepts covered. 

• Never used Google before? Need a few tips on how to improve your search skills? Learn a few tips and tricks to help you easily find information with How to search on Google . 

Home networks have become more complex than ever before. We are connecting more devices to our home networks and doing more things with them. Check out Lethbridge College Information Technology Services’  Cyber Security Tips to help you create a more secure home network. 

Keyboarding is a very helpful skill for completing assignments or participating in online learning activities. If you would like to improve your keyboarding skills, check out these available practice sites and tutorials: 

• Typing.com requires registering for a free account, but is the best free keyboarding software that we know of. 
• Find some free typing games at http://freetypinggame.net/ 
• Find some more free typing tutorials, keypad tutorials, typing games, and tests at sense-lang.org 

Office tools such as Microsoft Office and Google Drive are a necessary part of online learning. For tutorials on Office 2019 and 365, go to https://edu.gcfglobal.org/en/topics/office/ or https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/office. For an extensive set of computer tutorials that demonstrate basic computer functions through pictures, check out In Pictures: Online computer tutorials based on pictures.  

For additional support, explore these available tutorials: 

Word Processing 

Microsoft Office

• For a quick tutorial on using Word 2016, visit gcflearnfree.org/word2016. 
• Tutorials for older versions of Word can also be found at GCFLearnFree.org. 

Google Docs 

For a quick tutorial on the basics of the free-to-use Google Docs, go to gcflearnfree.org/googledocuments/. 

Presentations 

Microsoft PowerPoint 

• For a quick tutorial on the basics of using PowerPoint 2016, visit gcflearnfree.org/powerpoint2016. 

• Tutorials for older versions of PowerPoint can also be found on GCFLearnFree.org. 

Google Slides

• For a quick tutorial on the basics of the free-to-use Google Slides, visit gcflearnfree.org/googleslides/. 

Spreadsheets 

Microsoft Excel 

• For a quick tutorial on the basics of using Excel 2016, visit gcflearnfree.org/excel2016/. 
• Tutorials for older versions of PowerPoint can also be found on GCFLearnFree.org. 

Cloud Services

Microsoft OneDrive

• For a quick tutorial on the basics of Microsoft OneDrive, visit gcflearnfree.org/onedrive/.

Google Drive 

• For a quick tutorial on the basics of using Google Drive, visit gcflearnfree.org/googledriveanddocs/

When you’re working in a traditional or an online course, there is a great deal of information to manage. Mind-mapping tools can help you complete your studies more effectively by allowing you to brainstorm, create outlines, or manage research and documentation. For more information on mind mapping and to download free programs, check out the following sites: 

• Check out Inspiration , where you can download a free 30 day trial of the software. 
• Bubbl.us is a collaborative tool that is very user-friendly. Find it at http://bubbl.us/. 
• Or, you might want to try XMind, a free mind-mapping tool that runs on both Mac and PC computers and is available from www.xmind.net. 
• Alternatively, you may want to try Mindomo, which is a collaborative mind mapping tools available at www.mindomo.com. You can use the basic tool for free, or pay a minimal fee for extra features. 

Online note-taking tools can help you create class notes, organize them, and share them with your peers. Effective note-taking strategies can significantly increase your success. For some strategies and suggestions for note-taking, visit the Study Skills section of the eLearning Café website. You can also explore these online note-taking tools: 

• Check out Evernote, OneNote, Notability. These tools lets you view your notes online, on your desktop, or on your mobile device. 

To manage your favourite links or research, you may want to explore a social bookmarking website. 

• Diigo is an excellent research tool that allows you to organize and annotate your research links. 
• Pocket is another popular bookmarking tool. 
• You may want to browse extension options for your preferred browser. For example, Chrome has Brainer.

Additionally, many of these extensions also have mobile apps to download on your desktop, tablet, or phone. If you need help finding or installing the right extension/app, our IT or Library staff can likely help you. Lethbridge College students should contact the Library Information Desk. 

Understanding basic operating system functions will enable you to manage the information on your desktop or laptop.  

Some examples of common functions include using dual screens, minimizing windows, saving to the desktop and creating shortcuts. If you would like to improve your understanding of basic operating system functions, check out the tutorials below: 

• gcflearnfree.org/topics/windows/ provides quick tutorials on the various Windows operating systems. 
• gcflearnfree.org/topics/macos/ provides quick tutorials on the various Mac OS X operating systems. 

• To make a one-on-one appointment to improve your computer skills, contact the Library Information Desk here. 
• PrepSTEP and LinkedIn Learning offer multiple courses on improving computer skills. They’re free for Lethbridge College students but require you to sign in. Here’s a video on accessing PrepSTEP and here’s a video on accessing LinkedIn Learning. If you have trouble accessing or using either of these, contact the Library Information Desk.