DigComp Level 2: Digital Skills and Tools Overview

Information and Data Literacy

Search for information on different search engines and filters.

Communication and Collaboration

Use the functions of various digital communication tools.

Digital Content Creation

Produce digital content in different simple formats.

Problem-Solving

Know most hardware and their usefulness.

Digital Safety

Know the essential safety elements of computer devices (firewall, antivirus, etc.)

Search Engines

Special tools that help us find information on the internet.

Database

A system that contains a large amount of data that can be used by a search engine to find matching results.

Filters

Similar to special settings that help you find specific information.

Root Words

The basic word before adding any text before or after the word, such as friend would be the basic word, and can have characters added to change it to 'befriend' or 'friendly'.

Suffixes

Characters added to the end of a word, such as breaks, breakable, breaking, etc.

Wildcards

Special characters such as the * to represent any characters or variations in a word.

Cache

Store previously visited web pages, images, and other resources locally on your computer.

Bookmarks

Shortcuts that help you revisit your favorite websites.

Cookies

Small notes left on websites on your device to remember your preferences and activities.

Emails

Digital letters that you can send and receive from business or personal contacts.

Mailing Lists

A convenient way to receive updates, news, and information directly in your email inbox, to stay informed about topics you're interested in without having to actively seek out information.

Social Networks

Platforms where you can connect, share, and interact with others online.

Word Processing Software

Use for creating and editing text documents, like essays, letters, or stories.

Spreadsheet Software

Helps organize and analyze data using rows and columns to make charts, graphs, and performing calculations.

Presentation Software

Create slideshows with text, images, and videos to present information in a visually appealing way.

Graphic Design Software

Create beautiful and visually appealing designs for logos, posters, flyers, and other artwork.

Video Editing Software

Edit and create videos by combining and manipulating different clips, adding effects, transitions, and music.

Motherboard

Similar to the main circuit board of the computer, containing the CPU and memory chips, that helps connect all physical parts of the computer, such as the power supply.

Central Processing Unit (CPU)

A tiny chip on the motherboard that controls when things happen and how they communicate to each other inside the computer.

Random Access Memory (RAM)

Memory chips used for temporary storage of information, passing information between data and programs.

Read Only Memory (ROM)

Memory chips that store data that can be read and used by not changed.

Internal Storage Devices

Central storage locations inside a computer.

Hard Disk Drive (HDD)

A long-term storage device used to store programs, documents, and files on mechanical platters, using a moving read/write head to read and write data to the platters.

Solid-State Drive (SSD)

A long-term internal storage device used to store programs, documents, and files on a set of memory chips and does not have any moving parts, making it much faster to save and retrieve files and software applications.

External Storage Devices

Hard drives in a case attached to a computer with a cord which supply extra storage capacity for user documents, pictures, videos, etc.

Peripheral Device

Connected devices to send information on the computer to a display like the screen or print copy, sounds on speakers, etc.

Optical Drive

Read Compact Discs (CDs) and Digital Versatile/Video Discs (DVDs) using a drive that spins the disc and a laser reads the data stored on the disc.

Flash Drive

Also called jump drives, thumb drives, or pen drives; these are portable mass storage devices that use flash memory chips.

SD (Secure Digital) Cards

Small, high-capacity flash memory storage devices.

Keyboard

The main tool for sending information to the computer by entering data or giving commands to the computer.

Mouse

A device for pointing, moving, and selecting things on the computer screen.

Touchpad

A small touch-sensitive area on some laptops that controls the mouse pointer on the screen.

Microphone

Records sounds and converts them into a digital format for the computer.

Adaptive Input Devices

Special input devices designed for specific needs and disabilities, and range from hands-free alternatives to devices called digitizers.

Stylus

Appears like a pen and is used instead of our finger to select or activate things on a touchscreen.

Touchscreen

A display device that allows us to interact with the computer by touching the screen.

Gaming controller

A special device used for playing video games or controlling entertainment systems.

Optical scanner

Uses a light beam to scan codes, text, or images directly into a computer.

Monitor

A big screen that illustrates what the computer is doing. We can view pictures, videos, and words on it.

Printer

Takes information from the computer and prints it on paper.

Speakers

Let's us hear music, videos, and other sounds from the computer.

Adaptive Output Devices

Special devices that help people with specific needs such as fax machines, robots, or devices that read out loud what's on the screen.

Projectors

Can display the computer's screen on a big wall or screen.

Headphones

Special earphones we wear on our heads to listen to sounds from the computer without bothering others.

Smartboards

Special whiteboards that you can use to control the computer, view videos and pictures, and even write or draw on them.

Firewalls

Similar to digital guards on your computer to prevent bad things such as hackers or viruses from getting into your computer.

Antivirus

A special shield that protects your computer and keeps your computer safe from bad things like viruses and other harmful software.