CCSLC Digital Literacy cheat sheet

CCSLC Digital Literacy - Core Reference

• Digital literacy is the ability to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information using digital technologies; it combines technical skill with critical judgement and responsible behaviour.

• Input–process–output model: input devices (keyboard, mouse, scanner, microphone, camera) send data in; the CPU processes; output devices (monitor, printer, speaker) present results; storage devices (HDD, SSD, USB flash drive) hold data for later.

• Hardware is the physical equipment; software is the set of instructions. System software (operating system, utilities) manages the machine; application software (word processor, spreadsheet, browser) performs user tasks.

• File management rules: a file name has a name plus an extension that identifies its type (.docx document, .xlsx spreadsheet, .pptx presentation, .pdf portable document, .jpg/.png image, .mp3 audio, .mp4 video, .html web page).

• Folder hierarchy: a drive contains folders, folders contain subfolders and files. A path such as C:\Users\Name\Documents\report.docx names the drive, each folder level, and the file.

• Storage size units ascend by factor 1024: 1 KB = 1024 bytes, 1 MB = 1024 KB, 1 GB = 1024 MB, 1 TB = 1024 GB. A byte is 8 bits.

• RAM is volatile working memory cleared when power is lost; ROM is non-volatile and holds firmware such as the boot instructions. More RAM generally allows more programs to run at once.

• Network basics: a LAN covers one site, a WAN spans wide distances, the internet is the global network of networks, and the World Wide Web is a service (pages accessed by URL over HTTP/HTTPS) running on it.

• Digital citizenship rules: protect passwords, respect copyright and intellectual property, cite sources, avoid plagiarism, guard personal data, and report cyberbullying or harmful content rather than forwarding it.