Digital skills
Digging digital?
We offer versatile teaching and low-threshold digital support on information and communication technology. Our most popular courses cover topics such as mobile devices, information security, programming, and AI. Learning essential digital skills makes it easier to use electronic services and improves your ability to work and study.
The instruction is aimed at beginners, basic users, and advanced users alike. We also offer courses at low cost or free of charge for special groups such as people with developmental and visual disabilities, the unemployed, and immigrants.
We encourage you to join our courses with a low threshold. In addition to courses, we offer lectures, information sessions and open digital service points. Teaching is usually organised in small groups in our modern IT classrooms or as online teaching. Digital guidance is tailored to your needs, and you need to book appointment for it.
Course skills levels
Our IT courses aim to provide equal learning opportunities for all interested in the subject, with a low threshold for participation. The skill levels for the information technology courses are defined by their level of difficulty and pace of progression, based on the digital proficiency model developed by TIEKE Finnish Information Society Development Centre. See the digital proficiency model by TIEKE in Finnish here.
The skill levels for the courses are defined according to their level of difficulty and pace of progression:
As a novice user of digital devices, you are not yet very familiar with the use of smartphones, tablets, computers, or other digital devices. You may want to learn the basic skills needed in the information society for using devices and applications, information security, and communication. In our courses you will learn how to
- use digital devices and applications smoothly and safely
- search for information on the internet
- identify yourself and use electronic communication, e-services, and public services
- take a critical approach to information found on the internet
- follow the basic rules of copyright, netiquette, and information security
A basic user is someone who wants to use information and communication technology smoothly at work, in their studies, or in their free time. Their skill level meets the needs of the information society and working life. As a basic user, your learning objectives may be to
- Learn good skills in the extensive use of devices in everyday life
- learn to use various communication services and collaboration tools smoothly
- learn to produce and edit information on platforms suitable for the purpose
- understanding both the technical and human aspects of information security and data protection
- being able to communicate and interact in your own work, study, or leisure networks
- to use cloud services and social media with an understanding of the principles of information sharing and the related privacy settings and potential risks
Time management, information retrieval and management, data protection, and copyright are key areas of expertise for advanced users. In addition, office software, online publishing, programming, and other specialised courses will enable you to reach the level of a proficient user, equipping you with the skills to
- use information and communication technology effectively and diversely in different areas of life
- learn in-depth and apply new ways of using tools and operating models in addition to technical skills
- communicate fluently and interact in various networks using remote working tools
- recognise the basics of information ergonomics and be able to take accessibility aspects into account
Just today, I was thinking about how awesome the Adult Education Centre has been for me, and I’ve been telling my friends about it. Where else could I learn about Windows 10 or Android phones and languages? My IT skills and confidence in using my own computer and phone have grown. The teachers are absolutely fantastic!
Digital support for self-study students
Utilise the open and flexible self-study support services in our open learning centre Aino, at digital help desks and in the library at the main building Opistotalo at Helsinginkatu 24. In addition to group instruction, learning and applying new skills can be fully independent. If necessary, you can book a personal appointment with an IT teacher for digital guidance.
Support material
See the YouTube channel of Helsinki Finnish Adult Education Centre of for plenty of short how-to videos about using tools such as Google and Teams.
Need more information?
Wondering which course level is right for you? Subject teachers provide study guidance, help you choose courses, and answer all your study-related questions before you enrol and during the teaching period.
Curriculum of People, society and culture in Finnish, pdf
Contact details for teachers (scroll down to section ‘Personnel’)