Faculty of Engineering, the Built Environment & Technology

School of Information Technology

Department of Applied Technologies

Various Campuses

Module Guide 2024

Digital Literacy – Semester courses

Module Codes - Various

Compiled by: Mrs Annelise du Preez

Table of Contents
First Semester Modules -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
Staff Details ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------3
Module Queries -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
National Qualifications Framework ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
Purpose ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
Methodology --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------4
Proposed Methods--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5
Learning Material and Tutorial sessions ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5
Assessment ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------6
Overview --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Formative -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Summative ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Result Codes: ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Assessment Weights and Dates1 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 7
Booking a Test Session ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Absence from Assessments ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Assessment Exam Rules -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 8
Study Material-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------9
Weekly Schedule-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10
Critical Cross-field Outcomes ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11
Outcomes for learning units ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 11

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

First Semester Modules

This module guide applies to students who are registered for the following modules:

Module Code Campus where module is Lecturer Responsible

Offered
BEU1001 North Annelise du Preez
CCP102 North To be confirmed
FCR1121 George Chester Moolman
GCU1001 North Xolile Zepe
ICL1001 North Sue Petratos
IIS1001 2nd Ave Debbie Janse van Rensburg
ITC1001 North To be confirmed
ITC1011 North To be confirmed
ITV1001 2nd Ave (Full-Time) Andalé van Heerden
2nd Ave (Part-Time) Sue Petratos
ITVL101 North Siehaam Salie
South Charmaine van de Haar
ITVL111 South Charmaine van de Haar
ITVL121 North To be confirmed
LEC1001 2nd Ave (Part-Time) Sue Petratos
LECV101 North Mark Thomson
SCC1001 George Asavela Ndzondzo

Staff Details

Refer to the icon on the Digital Literacy Moodle site for information on staff members.

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Module Queries
For any queries or complaints regarding your module, the following procedure should be followed:

• Contact the lecturer responsible for your module via e-mail or make an appointment for a consultation.
• Note: When contacting staff:
o Use your official NMU e-mail account. Staff will not respond to messages sent from private
accounts.
o Indicate the module code that you are registered for.
o Indicate on which campus you are registered.
o Clearly state your problem.
• Staff will respond to your message as soon as possible during working hours from Monday to Friday.
• If the problem is not solved after consulting the lecturer, contact the Head of Department of Applied
Technologies.
• Queries relating to Test Marks must be made within two weeks of the results being published.
Exemption:
• Students who have completed and passed a similar module at NMU, must consult with their lecturer on
the process of applying for exemption.

National Qualifications Framework

Level : NQF Level 5

Purpose
The purpose of this module is to empower learners to become digitally literate. This is in line with government
initiatives to promote a technically literate workforce that can contribute to a dynamic economy and participate
in the Information Society. It also supports the NMU’s mission to deliver graduates with the necessary
technological skills to solve problems and implement innovative ideas in their chosen fields.

Methodology
This module will be offered in a blended mode during semester1 of 2024.
To successfully complete the module, you must do the following:
• Work through the content on the Moodle site, 2024DigSem1, in a systematic order.
• Restrictions will apply to the various activities on the Moodle site. If you have not completed an activity,
you will not be able to continue with the next activity.
• The Moodle site will contain the following for each topic:
o Notes covering a unit.
o Weekly Guides indicating what work is due for a specific week.
o Application Guides containing instructions for practical work.
• You must attend the Weekly Tutorial Sessions where questions regarding the work will be answered.
• Complete all formative and summative assessments. All assessments contribute towards your final
mark.

The methods are balanced in the following way.

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Proposed Methods

Method Hours Percentage

Online Material (Theory) 30 30%
Tutorials (Practical) 40 40%
Formative Assessments 25 25%
Summative Assessments 5 5%
Total 100 100%

Learning Material and Tutorial sessions

Academic activities and assessments take place on campus.

This is a practical module requiring you to demonstrate your skills in operating a computer. The teaching labs
at the university run on Windows 10 and Office 2019.

A student is expected to attend 1 double period per week in a computer lab. A staff member will be available
during this session to assist students and explain difficult concepts.

Apart from this session, students are also expected to spend at least another two hours per week on the module.
This time must be used to work through the notes, complete quizzes in Moodle and complete work set for a
specific week.

Computer labs have limited space. In most cases groups will have to be split between various timetable slots.
Your lecturer will inform you of the process to be followed.

If a scheduled lecture falls on a public holiday or cannot take place due to disruptions or power outages,
students must catch up with the missed work in their own time. The schedule does not allow for any
adjustments to be made.

Urgent communication to students will take place via Moodle Announcements. The message will be delivered
to your NMU Inbox. A copy of the message will also be displayed on the Moodle site in the Announcements
section. Do not ignore these messages.

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Assessment
Overview
This is a continuous assessment module hence there is NO examination. The assessment marks are
weighted and counts towards the final mark. You must achieve at least 50% to pass the module.

The Final Mark comprises of several Test Marks (TM) as specified in the study guide under Test Weights and
Dates. There are two types of assessments used, namely, Formative and Summative Assessments.

Formative
• Formative assessments are completed on a regular basis as indicated on Moodle and SMARK.
• Formative assessments will be referred to as Quizzes, Lessons and Projects.
• Quizzes will be completed in Moodle. Lessons and Projects will be completed in SMARK.
• File management will be assessed throughout the semester by checking your Submissions folder.
• A student will receive feedback on Lessons and Projects using the SMARK Marks report.
• Use the SMARK report to see which areas you need to improve on. Refer back to your notes or ask for
help in a Tutorial session.
• A project can be repeated three times. The highest mark will be recorded.
• Formative assessments will have a cut-off date. The assessment will remain available, but no marks will
be recorded after the cut-off date.
• Formative assessment marks will contribute towards the final mark as TM6.

Summative
• Summative assessments are the final assessment that takes place after a unit of the work has been
completed.
• A summative assessment can take the form of an on-line test based on theory concepts or a practical
test where instructions must be completed using a computer application.
• For the purpose of this document, we will refer to them as Tests.
• Test dates appear in the table, Assessment Weights and Dates.
• A sub-minimum of 40% will apply to the three major applications:
o MS Word (TM2),
o MS Excel (TM3) and
o MS PowerPoint (TM4).
• Continuous evaluation allows a student to do a retake on an evaluation that they fail. Students will have
two additional opportunities to re-attempt assessments for MS Word (TM2), MS Excel (TM3) and MS
PowerPoint (TM4). After the two additional opportunities there will be no further opportunities to
improve the mark for the failed assessment.
• The marks for attempt 2 and attempt 3 are automatically capped on 50%.
• Important notice:
o Students must participate in the first attempt of the assessments set for TM2, TM3 and TM4.
o Should a student fail the first attempt or run into technical difficulties during the test, two more
attempts are available.
o A student who obtains a zero result for an attempt, must book for the next attempt where
applicable.
o Attempts 2 and 3 are Supplementary attempts.
o No further assessments will be available once the 3rd attempt has taken place.

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Result Codes:

Result Code Explanation

Pass • You have completed the module.
Fail • You have obtained less than 50% for the module and must repeat it.
• Contact your Faculty Administrator to see if a 2nd semester offering is
available on your qualification. If not, you must repeat the module in
the following academic year.
Requirements Not Met • You did not obtain the sub-minimum in one or more of the
assessments.
• TM2, TM3 and TM4 requires a mark of at least 40% to meet the
requirements.
• You therefore fail the module and will have to repeat it.
• Contact your Faculty Administrator to see if a 2nd semester offering is
available on your qualification. If not, you must repeat the module in
the following academic year.

Note: Rule G1.13.2.11 of the General Prospectus: A last outstanding re-assessment will not be granted for
continuous assessment modules.

Assessment Weights and Dates1

1st ASSESSMENT 3rd ASSESSMENT
ASSESSMENT WEIGHT 2nd ASSESSMENT DATE
DATE DATE
TM1 Fundamentals Test 5 15 March (One attempt only)
TM2 MS Word Test 25 12 April 19 April 29 May
TM3 MS Excel Test 25 3 May 10 May 30 May
TM4 MS PowerPoint Test 20 17 May 24 May 31 May
TM5 Cyber Security 10 Complete assignment during 8 April – 10 May
TM6 Quizzes & Projects 15 Refer to Moodle site for dates

1 Assessmentsdates and weights may be changed due to unforeseen circumstances.

Enrolment numbers can require tests to be run on both a Friday and Saturday.

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Booking a Test Session

Various test sessions are available on a test day. You need to book a session that suits your schedule.

• In order to book for a test, you must have completed all the work set for that unit.
• A link will become available on the Moodle site to access the booking schedule, once all the
requirements for the unit are met.
• The booking schedule opens in the week of the test.
• Bookings can be made from 08:00 on the Monday until 08:00 on the Thursday.
• Changes can be made to a booking up to the time that the bookings close for an assessment.
• No late bookings or requests will be considered.
• Students with concession letters must inform Ms Liesel Vincent of the session that they have booked for
in order to be accommodated. No accommodations can be made after 08:00 on the Thursday.

Bookings can be made for the following campuses:

• North campus
• 2nd Avenue
• George campus (only for students registered in George)

NO BOOKING = NO TEST = NO MARKS

Students must make a screenshot of their booking once it is made.

Students will not be allowed to write:

• in a session other than the one they have booked for

• on a campus other than the one they have booked for
• if they are unable to identify themselves with:
o a valid student card or
o a photo ID/drivers licence AND proof of registration

Absence from Assessments

The assessment dates are scheduled in advance based on logistical and technical requirements and is
published in this study guide and on the Moodle site. For the Microsoft office assessments there are three
attempts scheduled. No further attempts can be scheduled after that. The assessment dates cannot be
changed and there are no make-up assessments.

In cases of extended absence refer to Rule G1.6.4 in the General prospectus.

Assessment Exam Rules

All summative assessments (tests) for this module will be treated as an official NMU exam and will be referred
to as such below.

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

The Exam Rules of the University applies to all assessments for this module. Additional rules are applied to
make provision for the practical nature of the assessments. Disciplinary action will be taken against students
who fail to adhere to these rules. Refer to the section on Academic Dishonesty Offences in the General
Prospectus.

Guide to examination procedures to be followed:

1. Only registered students can participate in assessments.

2. All students must be:
• registered on SMARK,
• know their SMARK password, and
• be familiar with how the SMARK software works.
3. No SMARK assistance can be given on the day of a test.
4. No changes to the session times can be made on the day of an assessment.
5. Examination rules come into effect as soon as the session starts.
6. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure the work is saved correctly and regularly.
7. NO extra time will be allowed for “lost” work.
8. For the Microsoft Office assessments 60 minutes are allowed to complete the test process.
9. The SMARK software will block any uploads after the time for the test has expired.
10. Only files submitted via SMARK will be accepted for marking purposes. No e-mailed copies can be
accepted.
11. Disregarding the instructions and/or irregular/unsatisfactory behaviour by a candidate may lead to
his/her disqualification and render him/her to disciplinary measures in terms of the Disciplinary code.

Study Material
• Moodle Site
The following material can be found on the Moodle site:

• TM 1: Fundamentals
• TM 2: Microsoft Word – Basics
• TM 3: Microsoft Excel – Basics
• TM 4: Microsoft PowerPoint – Basics

• Sections 1 - 4 will contain:

o Lecture Notes
o Weekly Guides
o Application Guides

• TM 5: Cyber Security
 Online module offered by the CISCO Networking Academy.
 Successful candidates will receive an electronic badge
 Please note that the Cyber Security Assignment runs from 8 April to 10 May and must be
done at the same time as the scheduled MS Word, MS Excel and MS PowerPoint content.
 Students must complete quizzes and complete the final exam in order to receive marks for
the unit.

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Weekly Schedule
2024 Academic Calendar - Semester modules

Semester 1 - 2024
From To Topic Test
1 12 Feb 16 Feb Module Introduction
2 19 Feb 23 Feb Fundamentals: Lesson 1 & 2
3 26 Feb 1 March Fundamentals: Lesson 3 & 4
4 4 March 8 March Word: Lesson 1 Competency Test
5 11 March 15 March Word: Lesson 2 & 3 Fundamentals Test
6 18 March 22 March Word: Lesson 4 & 5
7 25 March 29 March Word: Lesson 6 & 7
Recess
8 8 April 12 April Excel: Lesson 1 & 2 Word: Attempt 1
Cyber Security: Week 1
9 15 April 19 April Excel: Lesson 3 Word: Attempt 2
Cyber Security: Week 2
10 22 April 26 April Excel: Lesson 4 & 5
Cyber Security: Week 3
11 29 April 3 May PowerPoint: Lesson 1 & 2 Excel: Attempt 1
Cyber Security: Week 4
12 6 May 10 May PowerPoint: Lesson 3 & 4 Excel: Attempt 2
Cyber Security: Week 5 Cyber Security closes
13 13 May 17 May PowerPoint: Lesson 5 PowerPoint: Attempt 1
14 20 May 24 May PowerPoint: Attempt 2
15 27 May 31 May Study break: 29 May – 31 May 29 May: Word: Attempt 3
30 May: Excel: Attempt 3
31 May: PowerPoint:
Attempt 3
3 June 24 June June Examinations

Public Holidays:

Week 6: 21 March: Human Rights Day

Week 6: 22 March: University Holiday
Week 7: 29 March: Good Friday
Week 11: 1 May: Workers’ Day

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Critical Cross-field Outcomes

The following cross curriculum outcomes are emphasised:
• Work effectively with others as a member of a team, group, organization or community;
• Organize and manage oneself and one’s activities responsibly and effectively;
• Collect, analyse, organize and critically evaluate information;
• Communicate effectively using technology skills;
• Recognize the need for and an ability to engage in self-regulated life-long learning.

Outcomes for learning units

Week Unit of Learning Unit Objectives Learning outcomes

Content After completing this unit, learners will
be able to:
1 Fundamentals • Module Introduction • Sign-in to MS Windows at NMU
Week 1:
• Basic skills • Identify the parts of the Windows
Desktop
2 Fundamentals • Working with • Find & start apps
Week 2: Windows • Navigate between open windows
• Create & save a screen image
• Close windows & apps

• File Management • Identify the parts of the File Explorer

window
• Identify and explain the difference
between various storage areas
• Use Folders to manage files
• Search for files and folders
• Identify file properties
• Reduce file sizes
• Backup data

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Week Unit of Learning Unit Objectives Learning outcomes

Content After completing this unit, learners will
be able to:
3 Fundamentals • Communicate with E- • Identify the benefits of e-mail
Week 3: mail • Name the parts of an e-mail address
• Use e-mail software to:
o Enter e-mail addresses in the To
and Cc text boxes
o Find e-mail addresses in the
internal address book
o Describe the purpose of each
Outlook default folder
o Receive, view, and reply to e-
mail messages
o Explain the difference between
Reply and Reply to All options
o Forward an e-mail message
o Attach a file to a new e-mail
message
• Explain the difference between
informal and formal e-mails
• List the requirements for a formal e-
mail
4 MS Word • Identify the parts of • Work with the components of the MS
Week 1: Introduction the MS Word Window Word window
to MS Word • Create a document in • Create a new document
MS Word • Enter text
• Save a document in • Save a document
MS Word • Open an existing document
• Open an existing • Display non-printing characters
document in MS Word • Base a new document on an existing
document or template

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Week Unit of Learning Unit Objectives Learning outcomes

Content After completing this unit, learners will
be able to:
5 MS Word • Edit and navigate text • Move around a document
Week 2: Work with • Select text using the mouse or the
text • Format characters and keyboard
paragraphs • Insert, replace and delete text
• Copy and move text
• Undo changes
• Find and replace text
• Use a template
• Use character, paragraph and
document formatting
• Use bold, italics and underline
• Change font style, font size and font
colour
• Use format painter
6 MS Word • Paragraph Formatting • Change alignment of paragraphs
Week 3: Formatting • Set and use indents of text in
• Document Formatting paragraphs
• Set and use line and paragraph
spacing
• Set and use tabs
• Work with bullets and numbering
• Set margins
• Change page orientation
• Change paper size
• Insert and delete page breaks
• Work with headers and footers
• View the document in different ways
• Work with themes, theme colours
and theme fonts
• Apply page borders

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Week Unit of Learning Unit Objectives Learning outcomes

Content After completing this unit, learners will
be able to:
7 MS Word • Work with Tables • Create a table to organize
Week 4: Using • Insert Images information into rows and columns.
Objects & Authoring • Use authoring tools to • Convert text into a table or a table
Tools create professional into text.
documents • Insert pictures
• Size pictures
• Align images
• Apply borders
• Use sections in a document
• Styles with a table of contents
• Captions
• Thesaurus
• Spelling and grammar
• Source referencing citations &
bibliography
• Table of contents
• Preview and print a document

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Week Unit of Learning Unit Objectives Learning outcomes

Content After completing this unit, learners will
be able to:
8 MS Excel • Introduction to MS • Identify Excel window elements:
Week 1: Introduction Excel  Name Box Compare with notes
to Excel  Formula bar
 Cell pointer/active cell
 Sheet tab scrolling buttons
 Sheet tab
 New sheet button
 Status bar
 Mode indicator
 Scroll bars
• Create a new workbook
• Enter text
• Save a workbook
• Open an existing workbook
• Base a new workbook on an existing
workbook or template

• Move around a workbook

• Edit and Navigate a • Select cells using the mouse and / or
worksheet the keyboard
• Insert, replace and delete text
• Headers & footers
• Copy and move text
• Undo changes
• Filling a series of cells
• 3-D referencing

9 MS Excel • Understand Formulas, • Use formatting tools for labels, values

Week 2: Working with Enter and Edit a and results of calculations
Cells Simple Formula • Organise cells and cell content
• Use built-in functions

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Week Unit of Learning Unit Objectives Learning outcomes

Content After completing this unit, learners will
be able to:
10 MS Excel • Working with • Work with headers and footers
Week 3: Formatting a worksheets • Renaming worksheets
Worksheet • Arranging worksheets by copying,
Creating Charts moving and deleting
• Hiding or unhiding worksheets
• Set margins
• Change page orientation
• Change paper size
• Insert and delete page breaks
• Preview & printing worksheets

• Build charts
• Creating Charts • Add design elements to charts
• Modify charts
11 MS PowerPoint • Introduction to • Work with the components of the MS
Week 1: Create and PowerPoint PPT window
Modify a Presentation • Create a new presentation
• Enter text
• Save a presentation
• Open an existing presentation
• Base a new presentation on an
existing presentation or template

• Use different slide layouts

• Edit and navigate a • Use different views
presentation • Insert, replace and delete text
• Copy and move slides
• Undo changes

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Module Guide: Semester 1 Modules – 2024 Digital Literacy

Week Unit of Learning Unit Objectives Learning outcomes

Content After completing this unit, learners will
be able to:
12 MS PowerPoint • Format a presentation • Use different design-, colour- & font-
Week 2: Formatting a themes
Presentation & • Use formatting tools provide
Inserting Objects emphasis of different types of text
and text-based content
• Use animated slide transitions and
animation of slide objects / text
• Set up a customised slide master
• Use headers and footers in slides

• Enhance a • Work with tables

presentation with • Add and format images
objects • Add charts
• Insert SmartArt
• Use hyperlinks
• Add sound and video clips
13 MS PowerPoint • Add the final touches • Use outlines to create a presentation
Week 3: Finalising a • Insert slides from another
Presentation presentation
• Check spelling and grammar
• Create speaker notes
• Hide / unhide slides for application in
slide show view
• Print your slides, speaker notes and
handouts

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