Opening Doors With Digital SkillsSubmitted by Jenna Poncsak
Imagine this: you sit down at a computer for the first time. You open a web browser. Your fingers hover over the keyboard. You type a website address… press enter… and suddenly, a whole new world appears. It can feel exciting—but also a little overwhelming.
For many adult learners, the digital world feels like this at first: full of possibilities, but full of questions too. How do I open a browser? What’s a URL? Can I really learn online? And that uncertainty is completely normal. Learning digital skills doesn’t happen all at once; it happens one small step at a time.
Even simple actions can build confidence. Each login, each click, each completed task is a success that helps learners see I can do this.
Why Digital Skills Matter
Digital skills aren’t just about technology—they’re about opening doors in everyday life. Learning basic digital skills helps adults to:
- Access learning online, for instance on FALP (The Foundational Adult Learning Portal), so learning can happen anytime, anywhere.
- Connect with friends, family, and support networks, even if distance or mobility is a challenge.
- Manage everyday tasks, like paying bills, booking appointments, or shopping online.
- Explore new opportunities, whether for work, volunteering, or personal growth.
Digital skills give learners more than the ability to navigate a website—they build independence, confidence, and curiosity.
Common Challenges Learners Face
Many learners feel unsure about technology at first, and that’s okay. Common challenges include:
- Forgetting passwords or navigating websites incorrectly.
- Feeling nervous about “breaking something” or making a mistake.
- Feeling frustrated when tasks don’t go as expected.
Mistakes are part of learning. Each small error is an opportunity to try again, reflect, and grow. With patience and support, learners begin to realize that they are capable of more than they imagined.
Tips for Practitioners and Learners
Here are some practical ways to make digital learning easier and more enjoyable:
- Start Small: Focus on one task at a time—open a browser, type a web address, explore a website.
- Practice Regularly: Even 10–15 minutes a day helps learners become comfortable and confident.
- Ask for Help: A tutor, friend, or peer can guide learners and answer questions. Asking for support is a strength, not a weakness.
- Celebrate Every Win: Each success—logging in successfully, sending an email, completing a task—is worth acknowledging.
A Story: Taking the First Step
Here’s a powerful reflection from a learner who recently began building her skills online:
“I’m 26 and a stay-at-home mom of two. I never finished school because math felt impossible for me, especially with undiagnosed ADHD. I often felt criticized for not understanding it, and that made learning feel scary.
Finding FALP changed everything. It was easy to access, and for the first time, I felt like I could try again. Now I can work on my education before going back to school, and that makes me so much less anxious.
Long story short—thank you.”
This story is a reminder that digital learning opens real doors for real people. Sometimes all someone needs is a resource that feels welcoming, easy to access, and judgment-free. A single small step—trying a website, an assessment or a learning module—can begin a journey toward confidence and seeking further learning.
A Ready-to-Use Digital Skills Task Sheet
To make taking those first steps easier, here’s a simple task sheet that can be used in one-on-one sessions or digital skills classes:
Learners practice basic digital navigation skills—such as opening a web browser, typing a web address, and exploring a website while building confidence and curiosity about online learning.
This task uses FALP as an example website, but it can easily be adapted to any site learners want to explore. It’s a perfect mix of practice, exploration, and reflection.
Start Today
Every learner can unlock their digital potential, one small step at a time. Try a new website, an online assessment, explore a module, or complete the digital skills task sheet. If you’re a practitioner, encourage learners to share what they discover—it’s a simple way to build confidence and curiosity in the digital world. Each step opens new doors, and every learner has the ability to step through them, one click at a time.