To sign up for a computer class, click the sign-up button below the class listing, call or text 412-983-2595, or email DigitalPGH@literacypittsburgh.org.
In-Person and Virtual options are available. In-person locations include Literacy Pittsburgh downtown, PA CareerLink® downtown, CCAC Homewood-Brushton, Wilkinsburg EARN, and Human Services Center Mon Valley.
Digital Media Literacy Series
Human Services Center Mon Valley (HSCMV), 519 Penn Avenue, Turtle Creek, PA 15145
Mondays, October 7, 14, 21, and 28
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Effective Online Searching: Oct 7
Improve your web-searching to help you find the most accurate, up-to-date, and reliable information. Practice evaluating websites to see if it is relevant to your needs, reliable, biased or unbiased. Learn ways to judge a website including its domain, reputation, how up to date it is, and how to cross-check information.
Digital Skills and Democracy: October 14
Understand new digital trends and how they might impact our democracy. Learn about microtargeting political ads, deepfakes, and how to determine if online information about elections or political issues is accurate.
Recognizing Online Ads: October 21
Gain an overview of types of online advertising including sponsored content, clickbait, and targeted advertising. Practice evaluating sites to see what type of advertising is being used, if any. Learn how to change privacy settings, if desired, to reduce the frequency of targeted advertising.
Social Media and News: October 28
Learn how social media can affect the types of news you are exposed to. Filter bubbles, echo chambers and fake news are 3 areas that can affect your experience. Judge social media content and become a more informed user of social media.
Typing Club/Open Lab (In-person)
Literacy Pittsburgh, 411 Seventh Avenue, Suite 525, Pittsburgh, PA
Tuesdays, October 8, 15, 22, and 29
12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Learn how to type or improve your typing skills at your own pace. Practice using the “Home Row” to increase your speed and improve accuracy. Use two typing platforms and see what your average Words Per Minute are. Practice includes instant feedback and games for a fun and rewarding experience
Google for Beginners (Virtual)
Online via Zoom
Wednesdays, October 9, 16, 23, and 30
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Learn the basics of Google apps (Gmail, Docs, Calendar, Maps). Attend individual sessions or attend all four to earn a certificate of completion.
Gmail: Get an overview of Gmail and create a Gmail account. Learn how to check your email, send an email, reply or forward an email. Understand the folders in Gmail including Inbox, Sent Items, Spam, Trash, etc. Identify the basic parts of an email including To, From, CC, BCC, Subject, and Body.
Google Docs: Topics covered include basic formatting text, sharing and collaborating in a Google Doc, creating lists, inserting images, and downloading files as PDFs. Students will understand how to use Google Docs in a business or school setting.
Google Calendar: Very beginners will learn how to navigate the Google Calendar. Participants will create a Gmail account (if needed), gain an overview of the calendar viewing options and settings menus, and learn how to create a new meeting, invite people to meetings, and delete a meeting.
Google Maps: Learn the basics of using Google Maps for directions, researching restaurants/locations, planning public transportation, and more.
Email in the Workplace (Virtual)
Online via Zoom
Mondays and Wednesdays, October 21, 23, 28 and 30
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Practice writing emails for common workplace scenarios. Instruction includes a review of email basics, email etiquette, and multiple opportunities to draft practice messages for common workplace scenarios including requesting time off, meeting follow-up, and thank you messages. This is a 4-session class, with some work expected outside of class time. Participants are expected to attend every session and upon successful completion will earn a Google Applied Digital Skills Certificate.
Introduction to Excel (In-person)
Human Services Center Mon Valley (HSCMV), 519 Penn Avenue, Turtle Creek, PA 15145
Mondays, November 4, 18, 25 and December 2, 9 and 16
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Excel is Microsoft’s spreadsheet software. Gain an overview of the program and learn to use many features of the software to create budgets and other spreadsheets. Additionally, learners will have the opportunity to work on skills like storing and organizing files on the computer. Learners will take a NorthStar assessment and can earn a certificate showing employers they understand the basics of using Excel. This is a 6-session class. Participants are expected to attend every session.
Internet Basics (In-person)
Literacy Pittsburgh, 411 Seventh Avenue, Suite 525, Pittsburgh, PA
Mondays and Wednesdays, November 4, 6, 11, 13, 18, 20, 25 and 27
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Master the basics of using the internet. This includes bookmarking, navigating web pages, and internet safety. Gain insight into using keyboard shortcuts and search terms to make searching online for employment and information easier. Critically assess websites to find the best information. Learners may take a NorthStar digital literacy assessment and have an opportunity to earn a certificate. This is an 8-session class. Participants are expected to attend every session.
Computer Basics (In-person)
CCAC Homewood Brushton, 701 N. Homewood Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15208
Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 5, 7, 12, 14, 19 and 21
9:00 am - 11:00 am
Total beginners will gain confidence in using a computer for everyday tasks. This class focuses on basic mouse and typing skills, identifying places to store and save files, and trouble-shooting basic computer issues. Learners may take a NorthStar digital literacy assessment and have an opportunity to earn a certificate. This is a 6-session class. Participants are expected to attend every session.
For more information, you can email CCAC-HBC@ccac.edu or call 412.371.1600.
Zoom for Beginners (In-person)
PA CareerLink®, 914 Penn Avenue, Sixth Floor
Tuesday, November 5th
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Understand the basics of the video meeting program Zoom. Learn how to connect and have a meeting through the virtual video conferencing service.
Zoom for Telehealth (In-person)
PA CareerLink®, 914 Penn Avenue, Sixth Floor
Tuesday, November 19th
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Develop confidence in using Zoom to connect to your online health provider. Practice connecting to a virtual appointment, identify the features of Zoom like mute/unmute, camera settings, video backgrounds and troubleshooting. Learn how to connect to Zoom either on a computer or a smartphone.
Preparing for a Virtual Job Interview (In-person)
PA CareerLink®, 914 Penn Avenue, Sixth Floor
Tuesday, November 26th
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Gain tips for interviewing for a job on Zoom in a variety of aspects including choosing an appropriate, professional background and lighting. Discuss other aspects to consider well ahead of time such as location, Wi-fi connection, troubleshooting, and more. Additionally, learn about tools you can purchase to make your interview experience the best it can be.
Job Search Series (Virtual)
Online via Zoom
Wednesdays November 6, 13, 20, 27
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Attend individually or attend all four to earn a Certificate of Completion!
Job Search with Indeed: Learn how to create an Indeed account and navigate the website to search and apply for jobs. Learn how to filter job searches to find a job that suits you. Additionally, receive guidance to create and upload your resume.
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Completing Online Job Applications: Job seekers will gain confidence in filling out online job forms. Learn how to attach your resume and cover letter in various formats as well as learn about required fields.
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Resume Revamp: This workshop reviews basic formatting for resumes and various resume types. Learn how to use strong action words and keywords that will be suitable for Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS).
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Preparing for a Virtual Job Interview: Gain tips for interviewing for a job on Zoom in a variety of aspects including choosing an appropriate, professional background and lighting. Discuss other aspects to consider well ahead of time such as location, Wi-fi connection, troubleshooting, and more. Additionally, learn about tools you can purchase to make your interview experience the best it can be.
Introduction to Microsoft Word (In-person)
Literacy Pittsburgh, 411 Seventh Avenue, Suite 525, Pittsburgh, PA
Tuesdays and Thursdays, November 7, 12, 14, 19, 21, and 26
2:00 pm - 4:00 pm
Microsoft Word is a word processing program. Gain an overview of Microsoft Word features including how to change font and alignment, adding bullets and numbers to documents, and other common formatting tasks. Learners will take the NorthStar assessment and have an opportunity to earn a certificate. This is a 6-session class. Participants are expected to attend every session.
Computer Lab (In-person)
Literacy Pittsburgh, 411 Seventh Avenue, Suite 525, Pittsburgh, PA
Mondays, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm *No Open Lab Mon, Sep 30
Tuesdays, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Thursdays, 12:00 pm - 3:00 pm
PA CareerLink®, 914 Penn Avenue, Sixth Floor
Wednesdays, 12:30 pm - 3:30 pm
Wilkinsburg EARN 221 Penn Avenue Pittsburgh, PA 15221
Mondays, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm
Drop-in time for individual instruction in a group setting. An instructor will guide you in learning any basic computer skill.
This program is part of Literacy Pittsburgh's Ready & Relevant initiative, which is made possible through community project funding from the FY22 federal spending bill. The total cost of the Ready & Relevant program is $1,790,803. $675,000 (38%) is funded through a Federal Community Project grant. The other $1,115,883 (62%) is funded through other public contracts and private donations.
