ZU/WI/7/11
Unit Code: BCU 112
Unit Title: DIGITAL LITERACY
Pre-requisites Diplomas
Program(s):
Lecturer Name: Gabriel Muchangi
Lecturer Contacts: Email:[Link]@[Link] Phone: 0721 250401
Consultation time : Tuesday 14.00pm -5.00 Pm
UNIT PURPOSE/DESCRIPTION
The course aims to introduce students to skills and knowledge to navigate and use
modern technologies requisite for the digital demands of the contemporary world
EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES OF THE COURSE
By the end of the Course unit, the learner should be able to:
i. Apply digital tools for academic and personal productivity.
ii. Use the internet effectively
iii. Use Word processors, Spreadsheets, presentation software and AI tools
iv. Acquire basic computer hardware and software troubleshooting skills
v. Appraise emerging technologies
vi. Apply ethics in use of digital tools and technologies
Course content
Week Topic Cred
it
hour
s
Week 1. Introduction to Digital Literacy 3
o Defining digital literacy and its scope
o The role of technology in society and
education
o Overview of digital devices and software
Week 2. Media Literacy 3
o Understanding types of media (traditional vs.
digital)
o Analyzing media messages and their influence
o Identifying credible and biased sources
o Introduction to content creation tools
Week 3 Computer Hardware and Software 3
o Computer hardware (CPU, RAM, storage,
peripherals)
o Operating systems and software applications
o Software installation and uninstallation
Week 4 Digital Communication and Collaboration Tools 3
o Communication tools: Email, instant
messaging, and video conferencing
o Collaboration tools: Google Drive, Microsoft
OneDrive, cloud storage, and file sharing
o Virtual teamwork and collaboration etiquette
Week 5 Internet and Web Technologies 3
o Introduction to the Internet and web protocols
(HTTP, HTTPS)
o Understanding web technologies: HTML, CSS,
JavaScript
o Browsers, search engines, and website
navigation
Assignment one
Week 6 OnlineSafety and Privacy 3
o Cybersecurity essentials (passwords, two-
factor authentication)
o Recognizing phishing, malware, and other
online threats
o Managing privacy settings on social media and
websites
Week 7 D Digital Tools for Productivity: Word Processing, 3
Spreadsheets, and Presentations
o Word processing with Microsoft Word/Google
Docs
o Spreadsheet management with Excel/Google
Sheets
o Creating presentations with PowerPoint/Google
Slides
CAT ONE
Week 8 AI Tools and AutomationKey Concepts: Exploring AI- 3
based tools for productivity and problem-solving.
o Overview of AI tools: Chatbots, virtual
assistants, AI-based analysis
o Introduction to automation in workflows (e.g.,
Zapier, IFTTT)
o Ethical considerations of AI use
Week 9 Note-taking and Organization Tools 3
o Digital note-taking tools (Evernote, OneNote,
Google Keep)
o Task management tools (Notion, Todoist)
o Organizing digital resources effectively
ASSIGNMENT TWO
Week 10 Project Management Tools 3
o Overview of project management tools (Trello,
Asana, [Link])
o Creating and tracking tasks, deadlines, and
milestones
o Collaborative project management in a team
environment
Week 11 Emerging Technologies: IoT, Blockchain, 3
Cryptocurrencies, AI, and Machine Learning
o Internet of Things (IoT) and smart devices
o Blockchain and Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin,
Ethereum)
o Introduction to Artificial Intelligence (AI) and
Machine Learning (ML)
Week 12 Digital Citizenship, Ethics, and Social Media 3
o Digital citizenship and online etiquette
o The ethics of online behavior and information
sharing
o Managing your digital footprint and online
reputation
CAT TWO
Week 13 EXAMS 3
Week 14 EXAMS 3
Course Assessment
Continuous Assessment Test 20%
(CATS)
Assignments 10%
Examination 70%
Total 100
%
Teaching Methodology: Lectures; Tutorials; Practical; Programming
exercises.
Instructional materials/Equipment: Audio visual aids in lecture rooms; Computer
laboratory.
Required text books
Core Reading Materials for the Course
1. Cortada, J. W. (2020). The Digital Hand: How Computers Changed the Work
of American Manufacturing, Transportation, and Retail Industries. Oxford
University Press.
2. Barnbrook, G (2022). Language and Computers: A Practical Introduction to
the Computer Analysis of Language. Edinburgh University Press
3. Ribble, M. (2021). Digital citizenship in schools: Nine elements all students
should know (3rd ed.). International Society for Technology in Education.
4. Newport, C., & Carr, N. (2022). Digital minimalism: Choosing a focused life in
a noisy world. Penguin Random House.
5. Lafferty, P. R. (2021). Digital literacy and the evolving classroom. In J. M.
Davis (Ed.), Teaching digital literacy: A guide for educators (pp. 123-145).
Springer.
6. The digital literacy handbook: A practical guide for students and teachers.
(2023). Sage Publications.
Recommended Reference Materials
1. Bernstein, James (2023) The Internet for Seniors Made Easy: Find What You've
Been Searching For, CME Publishing
2. Cortada, J. W. (2020). How to Live with Computers. In Living with Computers.
Copernicus, Cham.
Course Journals
1. International Journal of the Computer, the Internet and Management,
ISSN:0858-7027
2. International Journal of Computer and Internet Security (IJCIS). ISSN 0974-
2247
Prepared by Gabriel Muchangi……………………………………….
Approved for Circulation by:
David Kanyi
Head, ICT and Engineering Department
Zetech University
