Living in a Digital World - Divya Srinivasa

LIVING IN A Digital World

DIVYA SRINIVASA

Foreword Dear Reader, In today’s world, digital literacy is no longer a “nice to have” skill, but an essential part of modern-day living. Whether we want to buy groceries online or make a payment from a bank account, or even just read the news, we find ourselves increasingly drawn towards digital technology.

The world we live in is being rapidly digitised, and all age groups are affected by these changes, especially the elderly.

To successfully navigate, communicate and carry out basic functions requires a certain level of digital literacy.

Year 10 students in Queen Margaret College undertake a Community Project every year. As part of my community project, I have created a handbook to help improve digital literacy among the older generation in our society.

I hope this handbook will help people understand basic digital concepts and enable them to comfortably perform a variety of functions online.

Happy Reading!

- Divya

Purpose This handbook provides a step-by-step guide on how to use mobile devices to perform a variety of day-to-day tasks.

It also provides information on how to ensure that your device is accessible and easy for you to operate in a safe and secure manner.

Index Using Your Mobile Device 1. iPhone Homescreen and Control Centre 2. Samsung Homescreen and Control Centre

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Accessibility Features...................................... 11 3. Accessibility Features - iPhone 12 4. Accessibility Features - Samsung/Android 14 5. WhatsApp

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Voice Assistants................................................ 18 6. Siri - iPhone 19 Using the Internet.............................................. 21 7. Accessing the Internet 22 Banking Online.................................................... 25 8. Banking Online 26 9. Banking Safely 27 10. Online Shopping

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Glossary of Terms Conclusion

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iPhone Homescreen

Calendar – add notes to your calendar so you don’t miss important events!

FaceTime – for video calls Photos and Camera – to take between iPhones and apple and access photos on your devices phone

Email – links to your email account

Reminders – create To-Do lists for different tasks

Apple Books – download digital books to read on your device

Settings – to adjust your phone preferences, wallpaper, sounds and other settings.

Apple Music – download your favourite songs to listen to on your device

Phone - for calls

Safari – to access websites or google search

Messages - for texts and iMessages

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iPhone Control Centre What is the control centre?

The control centre on iPhones and Apple Devices gives you quick and instant access to useful and important controls like Wi-Fi, screen brightness, the torch and many more.

How do you access it?

To access the control centre on an iPhone X or later models, swipe down from the top-right corner of the screen. For the iPhone 8, iPhone SE or earlier models, swipe up from anywhere along the bottom of the screen.

Orientation Lock – turn on to prevent the screen switching from portrait to landscape mode when you turn your phone.

Do not Disturb - turn on to prevent call or message notifications while you sleep

Music – easily pause, play and skip audio tracks playing on your phone Brightness – lower or increase the brightness of your screen Volume – adjust the volume of sounds on your phone

Camera

Torch – turn on and adjust the brightness of your torch

Timer – set a timer/alarm

Calculator

Low Power Mode switch your phone onto low power mode to conserve battery power

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Samsung Homescreen

Tip - Swipe up from the middle of the screen to access other apps like Settings, Photographs etc.

Google - type here to search for websites or things on google

Google Assist click here or say "Hey Google" and then ask Google a question or give Google a command like "find images of dogs"

Galaxy Store - to purchase and download apps on your device

Phone - for calls

Messages - for texts

Camera - to take photos on your phone

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Samsung/Android Control Centre What is the control centre?

The control centre on Samsung and Android devices is very similar to the control centre on Apple phones. It gives you quick and instant access to useful and important controls like Wi-Fi, screen brightness, the torch and many more.

How do you access it?

To access the control centre on any Samsung device or most standard android devices, swipe down anywhere from the top of the screen.

Wifi - turn Wi-Fi on or off

Flashlight – turn on and adjust the brightness of your torch

Aeroplane Mode - turn on if you're travelling in a plane Mobile Data turn mobile data on or off

Blue Light Filter changes the screen colour to a warm glow to help relax and reduce strain on your eyes

Orientation Lock – turn on to prevent the screen switching from portrait to landscape mode when you turn your phone.

Low Power Mode switch your phone onto low power mode to conserve battery power

Do not Disturb - turn on to prevent call or message notifications

Brightness – lower or increase the brightness of your screen

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My Notes

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Accessibility Features

There are many times when we struggle to use our smartphones, tablets, and other devices, especially when it comes to reading the fine print on the screen or tapping/touching different buttons.

However, many smartphones and devices have settings that you can adjust to help you feel comfortable and incontrol when physically operating your device. These options are called "Accessibility Features".

In this chapter, we will cover the following useful Accessibility Features and how to use them for Apple and Android devices: Display Colours Text Size

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Accessibility Features - iPhone How to access the Accessibility Menu 1. Go to Settings on your phone and scroll down till you reach the bar that reads "Accessibility".

2. Click on the bar that says "Accessibility" and tap on it to open the menu.

Navigating the Accessibility Menu The Accessibility Menu on Apple Devices has four main groups: Vision, Physical and Motor, Hearing and General. Under each of these headings you will see different subcategories. You can tap on these bars and they will take you to a page where you can adjust your device preferences based on the category you have chosen.

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Accessibility Features - iPhone Display and Text Size A key Accessibility Feature that is particularly useful if you have vision-related challenges is the Display and Text Size options. Here you can adjust text-size, bold fonts, and colours so that you can view your phone screen at optimal comfort levels.

1. Turn on Larger Text and increase or decrease the text size so you can read comfortably.

2. Turn on Bold Text so that letters are sharper and clearer to read.

3. You can change the colour filter on your device so that images and text on the screen are easier to view/read if you have a colour vision deficiency (colour blindness).

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Accessibility Features - Samsung/Android How to access the Accessibility Menu 1. Go to Settings on your phone and scroll down till you reach the bar that reads "Accessibility" with a green person.

2. Click on the bar that says "Accessibility" and tap on it to open the menu.

Navigating the Accessibility Menu The Accessibility Menu on Samsung and most android devices has five main groups: Screen Reader, Visibility Enhancements, Hearing enhancements, Interaction and Dexterity, and Advanced Settings. If you tap on these bars you will see the multiple subcategories for each section. You can then tap on the subcategory bars and they will take you to a page where you can adjust your device preferences based on the category you have chosen.

Expanded bar with subcategories

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Accessibility Features - Samsung/Android Visibility Enhancements A key Accessibility Feature that is particularly useful if you have vision-related challenges is the Visibility Enhancements options. Here you can adjust font styles, text-size, bold fonts, and colours so that you can view your phone screen at optimal comfort levels.

1. Increase or decrease the text size by moving the slider so you can read comfortably.

2. Turn on Bold Text so that letters are sharper and clearer to read.

3. You can change the colour filter on your device so that images and text on the screen are easier to view/read if you have a colour vision deficiency (colour blindness).

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WhatsApp What is WhatsApp? WhatsApp is a free messaging and video calling app that helps you to stay in touch with family and friends across the world. You can download the app on your device from the Apple App Store, Google Play store or Galaxy Apps.

Once you have downloaded the app, enter your phone number and the app will automatically let you message and call your contacts that have WhatsApp as well.

Useful Features: Group Video and Audio calls with up to 8 people Works as a mobile app on phones and an app on computers Group chats to keep in contact with multiple people

Start a new group to message multiple contacts at a time

Calls - you can start a new audio or video call with one of your contacts or up to 8 of your contacts

Use the WhatsApp camera to take photographs and directly send them to contacts or groups

To start a new chat, tap this button and type in the name or phone number of your contact

Current Chats - all your current messages with individuals or groups are displayed down the middle of the hompage

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WhatsApp WhatsApp Chat Functions Once you have downloaded WhatsApp, you can begin to message contacts in your phone that have WhatsApp as well. But WhatsApp is so much more than an app that sends worded messages! Here's a quick breakdown of all the elements in a standard group or individual WhatsApp chat.

Tap here to start a new audio or video call with the contact in this chat

Two blue ticks mean that your recipient has received and read your message

Tap on this button to access and send digital stickers (created by WhatsApp and artists) to your contact

Type here to send a message to your contact

Tap on the microphone and speak into your device to send an audio message to your contact

Use the camera to take photos and instantly send them to your contact

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Voice Assistants

Voice Assistants are increasingly becoming the way of the future. And as a mobile phone user, they can make your life a whole lot easier! Without touching a button, you can set reminders, create alarms, send text messages, call friends and family and do heaps more, all hands-free!

In this section we will specifically focus on Siri, the voice assistant found in Apple devices.

There are many different types of voice assistants found on other devices. Samsung uses Bixby and Google uses Google Assist, but all voice assistants follow two main steps: 1. They need a command to wake them up a. This could be a voice command like "Hey Siri" or an action like holding down the home button.

2. You can then ask them a question or give them a command a. "What is the weather in Wellington today?" b. or "Find restaurants near me" 18

Siri - iPhone What is Siri?

Siri is the voice assistant found on most Apple devices. Siri helps simplify navigating through your device by listening to your voice and answering a question/performing a task that you say.

How do you use Siri?

To use Siri on an iPhone X or later models, either hold down the side button for 2 seconds, or say "Hey Siri". For the iPhone 8, iPhone SE or earlier models, hold down the circular home button for 2 seconds, or say "Hey Siri".

If you want to adjust Siri's voice, language or the way in which you use Siri, head to Apple Settings then scroll down and tap on the bar that says "Siri & Search".

Things you can ask Siri Send a message: "Hey Siri, send a message to James" "Hey Siri, text James 'Where are you?'"

Play music: "Hey Siri, play the new Beatles album" Send an email: "Hey Siri, send an email to James about dog grooming" Weather: "Hey Siri, what's the weather like in Wellington?"

Places: "Hey Siri, search for restaurants near me"

Tip: to ensure that Siri is listening to you, look for the coloured waves to appear at the bottom of your device screen.

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My Notes

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Using the Internet

Using the internet is an essential skill in today’s age with most services being made available online and in some cases not available any other way. Online services make it very convenient and quicker to access services such as shopping and banking from the comfort of one's home or anywhere we may be.

The first step to accessing services is to know how to access the internet. Read the section on “Accessing the Internet” for the basic steps on how to access services on the internet.

Once you know how to access the internet, you can do lots of interesting things like read the news, bank, shop, stream movies and TV programmes, play games, stay in touch with families and friends and find out tips on anything you are trying to do.

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Accessing the Internet Step 1: Use a browser The key to accessing the internet (going online) is to use a browser. The most popular are Edge (on Windows based devices), Safari (Apple) and Google Chrome (works on all devices).

Access the browser by double clicking one of the following icons:

Edge

Safari

Chrome

Step 2: Performing a search Once you have clicked on your browser, it will open up a page that looks like this:

This is the "address bar". To access a website, type in the web address (e.g. www.nytimes.com) into the address bar and press enter.

You can now see the website you are searching for and do what you need to do e.g. read the news!

Tip: If the website is one you will access often, click on the star button and "bookmark" it/save it to your favourites. This means that next time when you click on the star with lines, the website will appear saved under your favourites.

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Accessing the Internet Search Engines An easier way to search for a website is to use a “search engine”. Common search engines are “Bing” by Microsoft and “Google”. If you are using Microsoft Edge as your browser, then you will use Bing as your search engine by default. Here is how it works: Step 1: Type in a question or a few words of what you’re looking for in either the “address bar” or the “search bar” as shown below: e.g. If I was looking to shop at Mitre 10, I would type “Mitre 10 mega” in the search bar. This then displays the following screen:

Step 2: I can then click on the links to go to the Mitre 10 website. Searches can reveal a lot of options. Usually the first screen is enough to give us what we are looking for. If you use Chrome as your browser, then Google is your default search engine and works very similarly to Bing.

Tip: You can pick your preferred search engine by entering it's web address into the address bar. Each of us has a preference and you will find out yours soon enough.

Bing: www.bing.com Google: www.google.com (or .nz or .uk - depending on your country location).

Now you know how to access the internet and how to search! So, go ahead and find that cake recipe you always wanted to find. Type “chocolate cake recipe” in the address bar. Remember: the more words you include, the more specific you can make your search. E.g. Jamie Oliver chocolate cake recipe!

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My Notes

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Banking Online

One of the common reasons for accessing the internet is banking. This is what we often call “banking online”.

Banking online is very easy, convenient and (with a few precautions) very safe.

Once you are registered for internet banking, you will be able to: View your account balances, transaction history and statements Move money between your accounts Pay a person, bill, credit card, or tax Set up and manage automatic payments Manage your cards Apply for new accounts Change your contact details Send a secure email to your bank using Bank Mail

All this without stepping out of your house!

Most banks have detailed guides and videos that show you how to bank online. In this section, we will use information from one bank to point you in the right direction and give you some tips on how to stay safe.

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Banking Online Where can I find information about banking online?

Tip: The best source for information on how to bank online is always available from your bank. You can either call them for help to set it up or you can go to their website.

To access your bank’s website, always type in the address of the bank in the browser address bar. E.g. www.anz.co.nz for ANZ Bank or www.bnz.co.nz for Bank of New Zealand. If you don’t know the web address, you should call the bank to find out or refer to your most recent bank statement.

Step 1: Visit your bank's website. It may look like this:

Step 2: Click on “Banking with ANZ”. This displays the following screen.

Step 3: Click on “Ways to bank” and you now have in front of you all the information you will need. Scroll through the information here to find out about Online Banking, Phone Banking and ANZ GoMoney. You can also find How-to guides and videos that show you how to use ANZ online banking.

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Banking Safely How to stay safe when banking online Finally, we are all worried about keeping our money safe from scammers.

Banks provide information on how to bank safely. Here are some useful tips.

There is more detail in the published guides and you should always talk to your bank to find out what they will do to keep your money safe online.

Tips!

Access internet banking by typing in the full address (e.g. anz.co.nz) rather than by clicking on links you may receive in emails. Banks will not send you emails that ask you to click on links to log in to your internet banking.

If you suspect your password has been compromised, give the bank a call and they will help you to change your password quickly and securely.

Make sure all software and apps on your device are the latest versions.

Also, you should have up to date anti-virus software installed.

Banks offer a facility called two-factor authentication. This means that they will sometimes send you a text message to enter a code before you can proceed with some types of transactions. This gives you another layer of protection when doing your banking online.

Browsers always ask if you would like to save your password. This is done to make it more convenient to access the website. Always say no. Don’t save your customer number, passwords or PINs to your browser or device.

Never disclose your passwords, PINs, or security codes to anyone, even if they say they are calling from the bank or the Police.

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Online Shopping We all love to walk through a shop looking at the products on sale, even if we are not buying anything. However, it's often much easier and far more convenient to do this from the comfort of our homes. You can have things you buy delivered to your home or directly to the person you may buy a gift for.

You can also order things from shops that are not located where you live.

With a few precautions, shopping online is a great convenience. Here are some simple steps on how to do so using shopping at Kathmandu as an example. You may find it easier to do this on a large-screen device like a computer.

Step 1: Find the online store where you want to shop – type in the web address or search using a search engine in your browser.

Step 2: Once there you can find what you want to buy by using the search function or by browsing through the categories.

Products are usually presented like this:

You can also click on drop-down menus to read more information about the product.

After you have selected and added your chosen products to your cart, look for the bag icon at the top right corner of the screen to proceed to checkout and process your order.

Once you're happy with the product you have decided to buy, click on the "add to bag" button. You can then continue shopping or proceed to the checkout.

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Online Shopping Checking Out After you have reviewed the products in your cart/bag, click on the "Continue to Checkout" button.

From here, you will have two main sections to complete. The first requires you to fill in your delivery details and shipping method. The second requires you to choose your payment method and enter payment details.

Once you have clicked "Securely Pay Now" and have filled in your payment details, you will be re-directed to a confirmation screen and you will also receive a confirmation email with proof of your purchase.

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Glossary of Terms Android – A mobile operating system designed by Google for touchscreen smartphones and tablets. It is used primarily used in Samsung devices and variations of the system are used in Huawei, Oppo and Google phones.

Apple – An American manufacturer of computers, smartphones, tablets, and computer software. The company makes products like the iPhone, iPad, Apple MacBook etc.

Apps – Applications and computer programs that perform specific functions. For example, the Clock app on a mobile phone helps you set alarms and provides a stopwatch function.

Bixby – A voice-activated “assistant” created by and found on Samsung devices that can perform tasks for the user (like Google Assistant).

Browser – A web-application used for accessing the World Wide Web, the internet, websites and webpages.

Devices/Mobile Device – A mobile operating system developed by Apple that acts like an engine and runs all Apple devices like iPads, iPhones, and the iPad.

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Glossary of Terms Digital Literacy – Having the skills and understanding on how to use mobile devices and access information and media through digital means and platforms.

Downloading – To receive a music, video, photograph or document file from the internet and store it on your device. For example, downloading music from the internet can save it to your phone, computer or another device.

Google Assistant – A voice-activated “assistant” created by Google, found on most Android devices that can perform tasks for the user (very similar to Siri). iOS – A mobile operating system developed by Apple that acts like an engine and runs all Apple devices like iPads, iPhones, and the iPad. Siri – A voice-activated “virtual assistant” found on Apple devices that helps the user navigate their device and perform tasks. For example, you can ask Siri to “set an alarm for 7:00am”, “send a message to…” or “create a new reminder”.

URL – The address of a webpage or website. For example: "www.stuff.co.nz".

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Conclusion I would like to think of this handbook as a starting point in your journey towards understanding the online world.

For those of you looking to further your learning, I would encourage you to take a look at Senior Net (seniornet.nz), a community learning network that supports and motivates people to confidently use technology in their everyday lives.

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My Notes

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November 2021

Student PUBLICATION