Essential Digital Skills Courses

Learn to navigate the digital world with confidence.

Build Confidence with our Digital Skills Program

Welcome to the Digital Economy Program's Digital Skills course offering in partnership with Northstar Digital Literacy.  This platform helps people of all ages and backgrounds, navigate the ever-evolving digital world with confidence.

Even if you have faced challenges to learning in the past, these courses can help you feel more successful online both personally and professionally. These FREE courses are for a wide range of learners, from professionals aiming to enhance their job prospects and build their resumes to older adults looking to learn computer basics or acquire new skills. Let us help empower you to harness the full potential of technology!

Take The Next Step!

Start building your digital skills confidence by creating a Learner Account today! Once you create a Learner Account, you can access to the Northstar Digital Literacy platform where you can assess your current skill levels and learn additional skills to feel more knowledgeable using your computer and the internet.

Our in-person and online learning options cater to your preferences, ensuring a personalized and effective learning experience. Whether you're looking to schedule an assessment or enroll in a course, this platform offers a wealth of opportunities to enhance your proficiency using technology. 

Explore the course offering below and sign up for your Learner Account to start exploring your options…for FREE!

The Skills

The Northstar Digital Literacy program is divided into three main areas: Essential Computer Skills, Essential Software Skills, and Using Technology to Accomplish Tasks.

    • Basic Computer Skills

    • Internet Basics

    • Using Email

    • Windows

    • Mac OS

    • Microsoft Word

    • Microsoft Excel

    • Microsoft PowerPoint

    • Google Docs

    • Social Media

    • Information Literacy

    • Supporting K-12 Distance Learning
      (Practice Lessons Coming Soon)

    • Career Search Skills

    • Your Digital Footprint

    • Telehealth
      (Practice Lessons Coming Soon)

Ready for a Northstar Assessment?

In-person assessments offer the advantage of direct interaction with the evaluator, allowing for immediate clarification of any questions or concerns.

On the other hand, online assessments provide flexibility and convenience, enabling individuals to complete the assessment from the comfort of their own space and at their preferred time.

Don’t Forget

You will need to bring/provide the following items for your assessment: 

  • Northstar account login info

  • Picture ID

  • Windows-based laptop and charging cord or desktop

  • Webcam and microphone turned on and screen sharing
    (if taking online assessment)

  • Headphones
    (if in public space)

Online Assessments

Are you ready to complete a proctored Northstar Assessment online?

Email dep@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-7227 to be connected to a proctor.

Once you have been connected to a proctor, you will work together to determine a date and time to complete the assessment(s). Online assessments take place over Zoom video conferencing.

Your proctor will email you a Zoom link for the date and time you agree to.

In-Person Assessments

Find Your Preferred Location

Identify the closest in-person meeting location to you on the listing below. Then, email dep@uidaho.edu or call 208-885-7227 to be connected to the local contact for your preferred location.

Once you have been connected to a proctor, you will work together to determine a date and time to complete the assessment(s). Let your proctor know if you need access to a public computer or if you will bring your own Windows-based laptop. Your local contact will confirm your public meeting location, date and time.

UI Extension DEP In-person assessment locations:

  • American Falls

  • Arco

  • Boise

  • Burley

  • Blackfoot

  • Coeur d’Alene

  • Fort Hall

  • Glenns Ferry

  • Mountain Home

  • Pocatello

  • St. Anthony

This resource is made available to DEP thanks to our partnership with American Connection Corps.

Looking For Local Resources?

Explore additional training and resources by reaching out to your local Digital Navigator available to you in partnership with AmeriCorps. Contact information and locations available in the Digital Navigator Contact List below.

Interested in having Digital Navigators in your community?
Contact us at dep@uidaho.edu.

Check out the resource directory, where other Digital Navigator programs are operating, free online digital skill materials and more from the Idaho Commission for Libraries and the Digital Access for All Idahoans Plan