Course Details

Course Summary: This 5-week introductory course is designed to empower individuals with little or no prior social media experience to navigate, engage, and create content confidently across popular platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn. You will acquire essential digital skills, including setting up profiles, creating engaging content, understanding online safety, and building meaningful networks. This course is tailored to provide a supportive and interactive learning environment to build a strong foundation in digital literacy. Course Description: The Social Media Beginner’s course aims to instil confidence, creativity, and a strong foundation in digital literacy. Through a clear progression of topics, you will learn to establish a positive online presence and work toward personal or professional goals. The curriculum covers the history of social media, practical content creation, network building, and critical safety measures. It promotes ethical online engagement, responsible social media use (including managing screen time), and a mindset geared toward continuous self-improvement. What Will I Learn? Over the 5-weeks, you will acquire a range of skills and knowledge through hands-on activities, discussions, and reflective assessments: > Week 1: Introduction to Social Media: Understand the history and evolution of social media. Identify the benefits and potential drawbacks of social media. Explore different platforms and their unique features. > Week 2: Setting Up Your Profile(s): Create a compelling and professional social media profile. Understand and adjust privacy settings for safety and control. Learn to connect with others safely. > Week 3: Content Creation: Understand strategies for creating engaging personal content using text, images, and videos. Learn the basics of content planning. Explore how to express personality and creativity while connecting with friends, family, and online communities. > Week 4: Building Networks and Engaging Effectively: Understand how to connect with others on social media responsibly. Learn best practices for engagement (liking, commenting, sharing). > Week 5: Safety, Security, & Next Steps: Learn best practices for online safety. Develop a personalised social media strategy. How Will I be Assessed? The assessment focuses on practical application, participation, and reflection. Methods include: > Initial Digital Skills Assessment and ILPS (Individual Learning Plans) > Group discussions and participation. > Quizzes on session content. > Reflective Journaling (home exercises and class prompts) to encourage self-awareness and critical thinking. > Hands-on Profile Creation: Learners will create or update their own profiles during Week 2. > Case Study Activity: Learners will be assigned personas and a social media situation to present a solution based on security knowledge (Week 5). > Final Strategy Plan: Drafting a personal plan focused on Content, Engagement, or Security (Week 5). Who is the Course For? This course is designed for individuals with little or no prior experience in social media. > Entry Level - no prior knowledge is needed. > Learners can bring and use their own devices (laptops, tablets, smartphones), and Chromebooks will also be available for use. Progression Opportunities Upon completion, you will be well-prepared for continued growth in an increasingly digital world. The clear next step is the Social Media Improvers course, which will help you continue learning and building on the foundation skills acquired here. Career or Job Enhancement Pathways The essential digital, behavioural, and attitude development embedded throughout this course will enhance your readiness for career or job pathways in the digital sphere, particularly in: > Social Media Marketing or Content Creation: The course provides a pathway for you to explore these fields. > Digital Literacy & Critical Thinking: You will develop critical thinking skills when evaluating the credibility of information and identifying online risks. > Data Analysis (Maths/Multiply): Maths skills are applied through the analysis of engagement metrics, interpreting proportions and growth trends to enable date-driven decisions. > Professional Behaviour: You will develop effective communication and collaboration skills, which are essential for creating content and building professional networks. > Online Safety and Ethics: You will be equipped with knowledge on online safety (Health & Safety), and responsible online behaviour (FBV/Prevent).