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AI & Digital Skills Learning Lab
Learn digital skills and artificial intelligence (AI), one practical step at a time.
Choose what is useful to you. No account, payment, score, or timer. Practice answers stay in this open page.
Where Would You Like to Start?
Optional. Choose a starting point, or explore any lesson below.
Recommended starting point
Open the suggested lessonOriginal practice activities. Nothing here sends email, uploads a file, or contacts an AI service.
Digital Basics
Get to Know Your DevicesExplore real shapes, connections, and what each part does.
These original illustrations show common examples, not every model. Names, shapes, and features vary.
Choose the matching illustration
Which of these is a computer mouse?
Choose an illustration. You can try again or move on at any time.
Four common devices: see names and explanations
A mouse moves the pointer and helps you choose things on the screen.
A keyboard has keys for typing and giving commands.
A monitor displays information. A separate monitor is not the computer tower.
A printer makes a paper copy. Some printers can also scan documents.
Compare devices and storage
Laptop and desktop
A laptop combines a screen, keyboard, and computer in a folding, portable device.
A desktop setup usually stays at a desk. This example has a separate screen and computer tower; all-in-one designs combine them.
Tablet and smartphone
A tablet has a larger touchscreen. Some tablets also connect to a keyboard.
A smartphone is a handheld touchscreen device that can make calls and run apps.
Keyboard and mouse
A keyboard has keys for typing and giving commands.
A mouse moves the pointer and helps you choose things on the screen.
Monitor and tower
A monitor displays information. A separate monitor is not the computer tower.
The tower houses the main computer parts. It needs a screen or another way to present information.
Flash drive and cloud
A USB flash drive stores files on a small physical device you can connect and remove safely.
Cloud storage keeps files on a provider’s computers, reached through an account and usually the internet. It is not a physical cloud or a USB drive.
Speakers and microphone
Speakers play sound for you to hear.
A microphone captures sound. Some devices combine a microphone and speakers.
Power, Wi-Fi, and connection shapes
The Wi-Fi symbol relates to a wireless network. Seeing the symbol does not by itself prove that the internet works.
The power symbol marks a power control. A short press, a long press, and different devices can behave differently; check the device instructions.
Port or plug?
A port is an opening in a device. A plug is the end of a cable or accessory that connects to it. These enlarged examples are not exact measurements.
Match the connector to the right port
These are cable or plug shapes, shown larger than life. Compare the device’s opening and its instructions. Do not force a plug; a matching shape does not guarantee compatible features.
USB-C has a small, rounded, reversible shape. Charging, data, and display support depend on the particular device, port, and cable.
USB-A has a larger rectangular shape and fits in one orientation. A compatible connection may carry data, power, or both.
Lightning is a slim connector found on some Apple devices. Other Apple devices use USB-C; check your model.
Micro-USB is a smaller, uneven-sided connector used on some older devices. Its orientation matters.
A 3.5 mm audio plug is round with insulating bands. It connects compatible audio equipment; it is not a phone charging plug.
Only connect known, trusted storage devices. Charging connections differ across phones and computers.
Try Using a MouseClick, open, scroll, and move a practice note.
- The primary button is usually on the left. A single click can select or activate something. You can change which button is primary.
- The secondary button is usually on the right. It often opens a menu of choices; the exact menu depends on the app.
- The center wheel scrolls. Some mice have a touch surface instead. A laptop may use a touchpad.
Practice at your own pace. A touch screen or keyboard works too. Double-clicking is optional; an ordinary Open button provides the same result here.
1. Click the circle.
2. Double-click the folder.
A double-click is two quick clicks in the same place. Your device controls the timing. No score or time limit applies here.
The practice folder contains one fictional note: “Plan a garden visit.”
3. Scroll down to find the next picture.
Use the wheel, a touchpad, a touch swipe, or the buttons. With this panel focused, try the arrow keys.
Start of the practice panel
4. Select, then move
Dragging means holding a pointer button while moving an item. This practice uses two separate choices instead—no holding or dragging required.
Practice folder: sample note
Mouse practice without interaction
- A single click usually selects or activates a control.
- A double-click can open an item in some desktop apps; many web links need only one click.
- Scrolling reveals a different part of the page without changing its content.
- Where available, select an item and use a Move command instead of dragging.
Microsoft: change mouse buttons, scrolling, and double-click settings
Practice useful keyboard keysSee what changes in a fictional note.
This example keyboard shows common key positions. Highlighted keys are practice buttons; other keys provide context. Layouts and key names vary by device and language.
What these keys commonly do
- Enter: often starts a new line while typing; elsewhere it may activate a button or submit a form.
- Shift: combines with another key for a capital letter or another symbol. Shift alone does not add text.
- Backspace: removes selected text or a character before the cursor.
- Delete: removes selected text or a character after the cursor in this practice. On many Mac keyboards, the key labeled Delete acts like Backspace; forward delete may require Fn + Delete.
- Space: inserts a blank space while typing; it can also activate a focused button.
- Tab: usually moves focus to the next control on a webpage. Shift + Tab moves back. It does not insert a tab in this practice field.
- Arrow keys: move the text cursor while editing. Up and down can move between lines; elsewhere arrows may scroll or navigate controls.
Try a key and notice the effect
- Which key makes a space between words?
- Which key removes the letter before the cursor?
Choose a highlighted key, then look at the practice note below. Shift demonstrates Shift + A. Try the left and right arrows here; you can also use your own keyboard.
Use fictional text only. You can type normally, select text, or use the practice buttons. Nothing is saved or sent.
Click or tap where you want the cursor. The buttons act at that position or replace selected text. Real Tab remains available to leave the field.
Microsoft: Windows keyboard shortcuts · Apple: Mac keyboard shortcuts
Find your way around a browserAddresses, tabs, saved links, and a small practice task.
Try a browser here
Simulation — no websites open, files save, or messages send.
Type practice.example/library in the address bar, then choose Go.
Browser worked example
- The address bar takes a known web address. A search box finds matching information.
- A link opens another page. Back returns within the current tab’s history; Refresh reloads the current page.
- A new tab gives you another page space. A download creates a file on your device in a real browser.
More explanation & practice
What you can practice
- Recognize the address bar and tabs.
- Return to useful information and keep files organized.
Four things to recognize
Browser
An app that opens websites, such as Firefox, Safari, Chrome, or Edge.
Address bar
Shows the page address. You can type a known web address or a search here.
Tabs
Keep several pages open in one window and switch between them.
Back
Returns to an earlier page in the current tab’s history.
Try one useful route
- Open your browser and type a web address you already know. Check the spelling before continuing.
- Open another tab to compare a second page, then switch back. Menu names vary by device.
- Save a useful page as a bookmark or favorite. This saves a link, not necessarily an offline copy.
- To copy text, select it and choose Copy, then choose Paste where it belongs. Review what you pasted.
Keep what you find
Downloaded files usually go to a Downloads folder unless you choose another location. Give practice files descriptive names and check where you saved them. A website, an installed app, and a paid subscription are different things.
Try it
Sources & review
Vendor-neutral introduction; interfaces and plans vary. Guidance reviewed October 10, 2026.
Email, attachments & safer accountsPrepare a message, choose a file, and pause at warning signs.
Prepare a fictional email
Simulation — no websites open, files save, or messages send.
Invite a fictional friend to a book exchange. Use friend@practice.example and invented details only. Attach book-exchange.txt before completing the exercise.
Email worked example
- To: friend@practice.example. Subject: Book exchange invitation.
- Message: Would you like to join a book exchange? I will confirm the date and location.
- Choose the invitation attachment, review the recipient and content, then use the simulated Send button. Nothing is delivered.
Pause at a suspicious message
“Your account closes today. Pay now to keep access.”
Show the safety explanation
Pause. Do not send a password or open the unexpected attachment. Verify the request through a known website or contact, not the message’s links.
More explanation & practice
What you can practice
- Review a message and attachment before sending.
- Recognize basic account protections and a suspicious request.
A simple email checklist
- Check the recipient, write a useful subject, and state what you need in a short message.
- Choose the attachment control, often shown as a paper clip. Select the intended file and wait for it to finish attaching.
- Open or preview the attachment when available. Confirm it is the correct version and contains only information the recipient should receive.
- Review the recipient, message, links, and attachment before you choose Send. Check the sent-message status in your email app.
Accounts are access, not permission to share everything
- Use a unique, strong password and a reputable password manager when appropriate. Do not give a coach your password.
- Turn on an additional sign-in check when available, such as an authenticator app or security key. Do not share verification codes with an unexpected caller.
- Review required fields, permissions, costs, renewal terms, and cancellation instructions before creating an account or starting a trial.
Pause before an unexpected link
Phishing is a message designed to trick you into revealing information or opening something harmful. Urgency, payment demands, and unexpected attachments deserve a pause. Contact the organization through a website or number you independently know.
Fictional practice message
“Your account will close today. Open this attachment and send us your password to keep access.”
Choose a safer next step
Sources & review
- Google: adding an email attachment
- Federal Trade Commission: recognizing phishing
- Federal Trade Commission: account protection
Vendor-neutral introduction; interfaces and plans vary. Guidance reviewed October 10, 2026.
Find and Save a FileChoose a location, open a folder, and name a practice file.
Give a practice file a name and a home
Simulation — no websites open, files save, or messages send.
Choose the location that fits your task. Open its Practice folder, name the file, and check the path after saving.
No operating-system file was created. This practice disappears when you leave or reload the page.
File-saving worked example
- Choose This computer, then open the Practice folder inside Documents.
- Enter practice-notes as the name. The .txt ending identifies this example as a text file.
- Choose Save in the simulation. Read the path: This computer → Documents → Practice → practice-notes.txt.
- On your computer: choose a folder and a useful filename. A local copy is not automatically a backup.
- On a USB drive: connect it, choose that drive, and eject it safely when finished. A lost drive can expose unprotected files.
- In cloud storage: check the account, folder, sharing permissions, and available space. Access and offline copies depend on the service and settings.
Real file dialogs vary by device and app. This simulation does not create folders, connect drives, sign in to cloud accounts, or save files.
Explore AI
Start an AI conversationDescribe a goal, give useful context, and improve the draft.
Watch a prompt improve
Illustrative conversation — prepared examples, not live AI.
See how more detail helps
Show an improved prompt
The improved prompt gives a goal, audience, length, and a boundary. Missing facts remain visible.
Try a follow-up: make it shorter
Review the result yourself. A request to preserve facts does not guarantee that an AI tool will do so.
More explanation & practice
What you can practice
- Describe one useful task in ordinary language.
- Use a follow-up request and review the result.
What can AI help with?
Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can generate text, organize information, and suggest ideas. ChatGPT is one example. A model is the system behind a tool’s responses; different models can produce different results.
A prompt is the question or instruction you give an AI tool. You can use ordinary language.
Draft
An email, presentation outline, or public announcement.
Organize
A project plan, event checklist, or public meeting notes.
Explore
Brainstorm ideas, explain a term, or plan practice for a new skill.
A useful first conversation
- Choose one low-risk task and open the tool’s official website or app. Review account and cost requirements before signing up.
- Describe the result you want. Add relevant, nonsensitive context and a useful length or format.
- Read the answer. Ask for a specific change, such as clearer language, fewer steps, or a different example.
- Check facts and remove unsuitable material before using or sharing the result. A polished answer can still be wrong.
Original example
Draft a short invitation to a fictional neighborhood book exchange. Use a friendly tone and three bullets. Leave the date and location as placeholders; do not invent them.
A follow-up can be simple
Make the invitation easier to scan. Keep the date and location as placeholders.
Build a practice prompt
Use a fictional task. This assembles your words into a draft; it does not contact an AI service.
Sources & review
Vendor-neutral introduction; interfaces and plans vary. Guidance reviewed October 10, 2026.
Check the answer. Protect the information.A source check, a privacy pause, and a useful tool comparison.
What you can practice
- Compare an AI claim with the original source.
- Consider privacy, accessibility, and cost before choosing a tool.
Check before you rely on it
- Find the original source for an important fact. Open a citation and confirm that the source exists and supports the claim.
- Check dates, names, numbers, quotations, and the context. For changing rules, find the current official source.
- Separate what the source says from an inference or proposed idea. Ask what is missing.
- For legal, medical, or financial decisions, seek appropriate professional guidance. An AI response does not establish your rights or replace judgment.
A privacy pause
- Practice with public or fictional information. Do not paste passwords, confidential client records, or another person’s sensitive details into a tool without appropriate authorization and safeguards.
- Review the particular tool, account type, data settings, retention, connected apps, and organization policies. Do not assume every service handles information the same way.
- Obtain appropriate recording consent and follow applicable policies before recording a meeting. Review AI transcripts and summaries before treating them as official records.
Compare tools with one small task
Fit & access
Can it do your task, in your language and with the accessibility features you need?
Quality & limits
Try the same nonsensitive example. Check errors, sources, editing options, and what the tool cannot do.
Privacy & permissions
What information is sent, retained, or shared? What access are you granting?
Cost & control
Check current prices, usage limits, automatic renewal, cancellation, and export options. A free trial may become paid.
Fictional source card
Community notice: “The planning session is Thursday at 6 p.m., in Room 2.”
Fictional AI draft
“Join the planning session on Friday at 7 p.m., in Room 3.”
Compare the two
Sources & review
Vendor-neutral introduction; interfaces and plans vary. Guidance reviewed October 10, 2026.