Northstar Digital Literacy is a no cost, online assessment system that teaches essential computer and digital skills needed for employment, education, and daily life.
- Designed primarily for adults 18 and older, any Ventura County resident needing to assess and/or improve their basic digital literacy skills is eligible to use Northstar.
- Assessments are available in Spanish and English.
- Closed captioning is available in all assessment modules, and modules were developed to be screen-reader compliant.
This resource is provided in partnership with Ventura County Workforce Development Board.
New users create a learner account by entering their First Name, Last Name, in the fields provided - then select the CONTINUE button. The resource will then present new users with a selection of options to assess their digital literacy skills, needs, and interests.
Users with an existing learner account select the LOG IN WITH NORTHSTAR button.
Tips for using this service on computers and mobile devices:
- The assessments and modules were originally designed to support learners building skills on computers. Currently, most assessments and modules are not optimized for use on smartphones or tablets.
- Northstar is making progress to improve mobile compatibility for existing content and has released mobile compatible versions of the Internet Basics online learning module and the Accessing Telehealth Appointments assessment and online learning module. New topics added to the curriculum will include mobile compatibility.
- Northstar is more likely to display appropriately on larger screens, so tablets are preferred if using a mobile device.
- On most mobile devices, perform a right click by holding down on a link for several seconds. Some assessments will correctly interpret a double tap as a double click.
- Many units of the curriculum are adaptable for tablet/smartphone use. For example, most of the skills covered in Using Email and Internet Basics modules may also apply to mobile email and internet use.
Questions and Support, contact: Ventura County WORKS, 2901 North Ventura Road, 3rd Floor, Oxnard, CA 93036. WDBVC@venturacounty.gov - (805) 648-9675