Lesson 2 – Toolbox

Toolbox

This is your “go-to” reference resource, mapping various processes for using different devices (such as smartphones, tablets, laptops, and desktops) and different platforms (such as Mac/ Windows, Apple/Android) for specific purposes, such as SMS, email, Facetime, etc.

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Lesson Resources – Toolbox Handout

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Video Transcript – Toolbox

Objective: To map out how to use the internet and digital tools across different platforms and devices.

“Welcome to your digital toolbox! We’d love for this to be your ‘go-to’ reference for accessing online tools across all your devices, so feel free to come back to this video at any time if you need help navigating your digital devices and tools.

Not too long ago, the internet could only be accessed by using a desktop computer. Fast forward to today, and you can use Google, email, messaging, social media, and a wide variety of internet tools across all of your devices, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, laptop, or computer.

However, this process does look a bit different on each of your devices, and it can vary even more depending on what type of device you have, whether it’s an iPhone or Android or a Mac or Windows computer.

Understanding how these processes work for different platforms and devices will not only make you feel more confident and prepared for your learning experiences with your volunteers and stakeholders but will also help you to get the most out of your technology!

Remember: If you have a smartphone, you can access the internet, just as you can on a computer or laptop. Of course, you need to be connected to the internet to do this, whether by mobile internet or Wi-Fi. Later in this section, we’ll break down how to connect to Wi-Fi on each device type to make the process simple and painless!

We’ll also outline how to download apps on your smartphone or tablet. Applications – otherwise known as ‘apps’ – are programs designed for mobile devices. Many websites also have an app so that their information can be accessed in a way that works better on a mobile device than a computer.

For example, you can use Gmail or Google Docs on your computer, laptop, and mobile devices by logging in on the website. But it is a bit difficult to navigate on such a small screen! To help, Google made apps for these programs so they can be used more easily on phones. You can download Gmail, Google Docs, or any other Google tool app for free on your phone or tablet! And then, when you log in to your Google account on the app, you can instantly view all of your saved files and emails!

Of course, this doesn’t just apply to Google. There are endless apps that can be downloaded for work and play, including Zoom, WhatsApp, Facebook, Instagram, Amazon, Disney+, and more.

You can also download apps made specifically for your mobile device, such as Uber for taxi services, Door Dash for food delivery, and mobile banking apps. There’s an app for pretty much anything, whether you want to chat and video call with friends, organise your daily tasks, or create graphic designs. Most are free to download, while some cost $1 or more. There are also sometimes options or requirements to make purchases once you’ve downloaded and logged into an app.

We’ll go over how to search for, download, and start using apps across different devices in the reading portion of this Module.

We’ll also map out how to log into accounts, send messages and emails, and start video calls on your phone, tablet, laptop, or computer. This will be especially helpful for when you learn how to deliver webinars in our next Module!

Overall, smart devices have many of the same functions as computers, presented on a different scale and format. By understanding how these processes work, you can confidently make the most of your technology – and empower others to do the same!”