Before You Begin

Required Permission

Everyone

Intended Audience

• Seniors
• Older Australians
• Technology beginners
• Family members supporting someone learning technology

Prerequisites

• Getting Comfortable with Technology

Learning Objectives

By the end of this module you will be able to:

• Navigate your device confidently.
• Understand the Home Screen.
• Open and close apps.
• Adjust common settings.
• Change text size and brightness.
• Understand notifications and icons.

Main Content

Welcome

Now that you're familiar with different types of technology, it's time to learn how to use your own device.

Whether you have a Windows computer, iPhone, Android phone or tablet, most devices work in a similar way. Once you understand the basic layout, using technology becomes much easier.

Don't worry if everything feels new. These skills quickly become second nature with a little practice.

What You'll Learn

In this module you'll learn:

• The Home Screen
• Apps and programs
• Icons
• Settings
• Notifications
• Brightness
• Text size
• Accessibility features

Lesson 1 — Understanding the Home Screen

The Home Screen is the main screen you see when you unlock your device.

Think of it like the front door to your home—it gives you access to everything else.

From here you can:

• Open apps
• Check the time
• View notifications
• Search for information
• See the battery level
• Connect to Wi-Fi

Spend a few minutes simply looking around your Home Screen without worrying about pressing anything.

Lesson 2 — What is an App?

An app (short for application) is a program that helps you perform a task.

Some common apps include:

• Phone
• Messages
• Camera
• Photos
• Email
• Calendar
• Maps
• Weather
• Internet Browser

Each app has its own icon.

Tap or click the icon once to open it.

Lesson 3 — Understanding Icons

Icons are small pictures that represent apps or actions.

For example:

📷 Camera

✉️ Email

⚙️ Settings

📞 Phone

🌐 Internet Browser

Most icons are designed to be simple and easy to recognise.

If you're unsure what an icon does, simply tap it to explore—you won't break anything.

Lesson 4 — Opening and Closing Apps

Opening an app is easy.

On a phone or tablet:

• Tap the app once.

On a computer:

• Double-click the icon.

When you've finished:

• Return to the Home Screen.
• Close the program if needed.

Don't worry if you accidentally leave an app open. Modern devices manage this automatically.

Lesson 5 — Understanding the Settings App

The Settings app controls how your device behaves.

Inside Settings you can change things like:

• Wi-Fi
• Bluetooth
• Volume
• Brightness
• Text size
• Wallpaper
• Passwords
• Accessibility features

The Settings icon usually looks like a gear (⚙️).

You don't need to remember every option—just know that this is where most changes are made.

Lesson 6 — Adjusting Brightness

Brightness controls how light or dark your screen appears.

A brighter screen is easier to see outdoors but uses more battery power.

A dimmer screen saves battery and is often more comfortable indoors.

Most devices allow you to adjust brightness using a slider.

Lesson 7 — Changing Text Size

One of the best features of modern devices is that you can make text easier to read.

You can increase:

• Text size
• Icon size
• Display zoom
• Screen magnification

Making text larger can significantly improve comfort and reduce eye strain.

Lesson 8 — Accessibility Features

Accessibility features are designed to make technology easier for everyone.

Helpful features include:

• Larger text
• Voice Assistant
• Screen Magnifier
• High Contrast Mode
• Closed Captions
• Hearing Aid Support
• Voice Typing

Many people don't realise these features exist, but they can make using technology much more enjoyable.

Lesson 9 — Understanding Notifications

Notifications are messages that appear to let you know something has happened.

Examples include:

• New text messages
• Emails
• Calendar reminders
• Weather alerts
• Software updates

Not every notification needs immediate attention.

You can usually dismiss notifications and check them later.

Practice Activity

Spend 15 minutes exploring your device.

Try to:

✔ Find the Settings app.

✔ Adjust your screen brightness.

✔ Increase the text size if needed.

✔ Open three different apps.

✔ Return to the Home Screen.

✔ Find the battery indicator.

The more you explore, the more comfortable you'll become.

Tips for Success

✔ It's okay to press buttons and explore.

✔ Most mistakes can easily be undone.

✔ Practice using your device every day.

✔ Make text larger if reading is difficult.

✔ Ask for help when needed.

Summary

Understanding your device is one of the biggest steps towards becoming confident with technology.

Once you know where things are and how to navigate around your device, everyday tasks become much easier.

Remember, every expert was once a beginner.

Key Takeaways

• The Home Screen is your starting point.
• Apps help you perform different tasks.
• Settings allow you to personalise your device.
• Accessibility features make technology easier to use.
• Confidence comes from exploring and practising.

Next Module

➡ Connecting to the Internet

Learn how Wi-Fi works, connect safely to the internet and understand the difference between Wi-Fi and mobile data.

Need a Hand?

Need help understanding your own device? Troubleshoot IT offers friendly one-on-one technology training tailored to your needs. Whether you use a Windows PC, Mac, iPhone, Android phone or tablet, we'll help you learn at your own pace with clear, practical guidance.