Free tools for computer literacy, on the web

While Sandy and I were trying to create a computer-literacy curriculum, I found these cool resources on the Web:

Net Connectors: kids helping elders to use the net. This site is designed to help computer-literate kids teach old fuddy-dudies how to use the web. It’s got short how-to videos—like “How to reply to emails.” And, nicely for my purposes, it uses Gmail. Aside from a bunch of videos it’s got teaching tips and modules to “teach adults how to avoid scams and identify thefts.”  It teaches parents how to use “The Beehive” a social networking site designed for kids. More broadly they have a Digital Connections Program to help adults learn more about technology.

All these sites are run by  One Economy Corporation, a global nonprofit that says:

We help bring broadband into the homes of low-income people, employ youth to train their community members to use technology effectively, and provide public-purpose media properties that offer a wealth of information on education, jobs, health care and other vital issues.

They’ve been in business since 2002, and have their financials online. They got about $10M in funding last year, so they are pretty well established. They run Digital Connector courses in 19 cities. or will.

GCFLearnFree Computer basics is sponsored by the Goodwill Community Foundation, which is related somehow to Goodwill industries, the guys who collect thrown out things in MA and turn them into something salable

HP Learning Center, computers. has a bunch of advanced online courses.