Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment Standards - Version 1 - Basic Computer Skills and Web Skills

Sep 15, 2026

Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment Standards (Version 1) outlines measurable competencies for foundational digital literacy across key environments and tasks. It specifies basic computer skills such as operating devices, using keyboard functions, managing mouse interactions, adjusting audio and display settings, and understanding storage and accessibility customization. The standards also cover World Wide Web essentials, including browser use, navigation, tabs, zoom, search, online safety, forms, and secure input handling, then extend into operating systems and email workflows.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryTechnology

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Basic Computer Skills

World Wide Web

Windows

Mac OS X

Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment Standards (Version 1) View Northstar’s latest standards at [https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/assessment-info](https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/assessment-info) Basic Computer Skills 1. Distinguish between desktop and laptop computers. 2. Identify specific computer hardware: a system unit, monitor, printer, keyboard, mouse or touchpad, USB port 3. Turn computer and monitor on and off 4. Log on to computer 5. Demonstrate knowledge of function and placement of keys on keyboard: Enter, Shift, Control, Backspace, Delete, Arrow Keys, Tab, Caps Lock, Number Lock 6. Identify types of mice: mouse and touchpad 7. Identify mouse pointer shapes and match them to the correct context of use: typing arrow (text), arrow (basic clicking), hand pointer (clickable links) 8. Demonstrate appropriate use and ability to right-click and left-click 9. Double click and right click 10. Drag and drop 11. Use mouse to select check boxes, use drop-down menus and scroll 12. Adjust volume and mute audio 13. Plug in headphones correctly and use when appropriate 14. Identify icons on desktop (Internet Browser, Control Panel, Recycle Bin, Skype) 15. Demonstrate the ability to use the recycle bin correctly for trashing and retrieving items 16. Demonstrate understanding that it is possible to customize a computer for increased accessibility 17. Demonstrate understanding that mice can be customized for left-handed people and that the speed of clicking can also be customized 18. Demonstrate understanding that screen resolution can be changed 19. Demonstrate understanding that software programs are upgraded periodically and that different versions may be installed on different computers 20. Identify storage media: USB/Flash drives (external) and hard drive (external and internal) World Wide Web 1. Identify an Internet Service Provider and identify the main options for connecting to the internet: Dial-up, High Speed (cable or DSL), or wireless connection. 2. Identify commonly used browsers (Internet Explorer, Firefox, Chrome, Safari) and demonstrate knowledge of function. 3. Identify the address bar and enter a URL address. 4. Identify a website. 5. Identify a homepage. 6. Identify the following browser toolbar buttons and demonstrate the ability to use them: home, refresh, stop, back, forward 7. Use scroll bars to view different portions of webpages 8. Identify a hyperlink and demonstrate the ability to use a hyperlink to access other webpages. 9. Create a new tab, open a webpage in a tab, and move between tabs. 10. Enlarge the displayed text size Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment Standards (Version 1) View Northstar’s latest standards at [https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/assessment-info](https://www.digitalliteracyassessment.org/assessment-info) [11](11). Fill out an online form. 12. Correctly enter CAPTCHA security codes. 13. Use zoom function to enlarge image (CTRL+ or CTRL-) 14. Identify search engines (Google, Yahoo!, Bing) and enter search terms into the search engine. 15. Identify pop-up windows and close them. 16. Identify pop up windows have been blocked and enable individual pop up windows as needed 17. Identify common domain types: com, org, gov, edu. 18. Demonstrate knowledge that there are ways to increase Internet safety for children. 19. Identify antivirus software providers and function of antivirus software (Norton, McAfee, AVG) . 20. Avoid providing personal or financial information unless on a secured website ([https://](https://)) Windows 1. Identify the operating system used by a computer. 2. Shutdown, restart, and log off a computer. 3. Open, close and switch between windows 4. Minimize and maximize windows 5. Identify the toolbar and menus. 6. Identify the taskbar. 7. Start, and exit programs (Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint) 8. Identify drives on a computer: CD/DVD, fl

FAQs

What basic computer skills are included in the Northstar Digital Literacy Assessment Standards Version 1?

The standards cover distinguishing desktop vs. laptop, identifying hardware components, turning devices on/off, logging on, keyboard key functions, mouse and pointer actions, right/left click behavior, drag-and-drop, selection and navigation controls, and adjusting audio and accessibility-related settings.

Which World Wide Web skills are assessed?

They include identifying an Internet Service Provider and connection types, recognizing browsers and their functions, using the address bar to enter URLs, identifying websites and homepages, using browser toolbar buttons, scrolling, using hyperlinks, managing tabs, enlarging displayed text, handling pop-ups, searching, and recognizing common domain types.

What email-related abilities does Version 1 require?

It covers defining email, registering for an account, creating usernames and secure passwords, logging in, creating and sending messages, addressing to multiple recipients, opening and responding (reply vs. reply all), forwarding, adding and opening attachments, and managing emails by moving, deleting, and retrieving from trash.

Sep 15, 2026

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