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:
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:
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:
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.
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.
