Browse topics
Browse topics
TV, movie and music streaming services
This course looks at the different ways you can watch or listen to a world of entertainment using the internet on your devices and TVs. It looks at the most popular catch-up TV and on demand services available in Australia, how you can listen to radio programs and podcasts from around the world, and how to use YouTube to find and watch videos on almost every subject under the sun.
What is the cloud?
This course explains what the cloud is and how it is used to store and back-up your important documents. Chances are you’re already using the cloud without even knowing it! You’ll discover how the cloud is used in everyday life and how it can benefit you.
The cloud and you
Now that you know what the cloud is, this course teaches you how you can safely and securely create a cloud account of your own. You’ll learn how cloud providers keep your personal information and files safe and how you can manage the notifications your cloud account sends you.
Introduction to myGov
Find out how myGov can make managing your online government services easy and convenient. We show you, step-by-step, how to set up and use your own myGov account safely, link your Medicare and other government services to your myGov, how to claim medical expenses and control who sees your My Health Record information.
Understanding image properties
All about photo editors
Using a photo editor
Creating a gift from a personal photo
Managing and storing your photos
Using antivirus software
Getting started online
Navigating the online world can be a little tricky at first, but this topic will teach you some essential skills to help you get started online.
Connecting to others
Need a helping hand with video calls? Find out how to get set up from your smartphone, tablet or computer.
Protecting your privacy online
Researching your trip online
They key to the success of any trip is in the planning! This course will show you some top tips and techniques for researching your holiday online. You’ll learn how to use comparison websites to find the best deals and how to check reviews for hotels, day trips and tours to ensure they are right for your holiday.
Getting ready to travel safely
With any trip or holiday comes great excitement and often some minor details can be forgotten. This course outlines some of the key things you need to consider to travel safely. You’ll learn about the importance of carrying photo identification, what you need to do if you’re travelling with medications and how travel insurance can set your mind at ease when travelling.
Introduction to social media
Booking travel and accessing your finances online
This course will outline the benefits of booking and paying for travel online or how you can use your online research to get the best price with a travel agent, if that’s your preferred method of booking travel. You’ll discover how you can save all of your bookings, tickets and boarding passes to your mobile device so you can easily access them while on the road. Importantly, this course will also show you how you can access your own finances when travelling at home and abroad.
Travelling in Australia
We are lucky to live in one of the most beautiful countries on earth! So, why not make the most of living in Australia and plan to get out and visit some of our world-renowned domestic destinations. In this course, you’ll follow Jan and Tom as they use the internet and their smartphone to plan and book an exciting trip from their home in Melbourne to Western Australia.
Travelling overseas
In this course, you’ll follow Ruby as she sets off on an exciting holiday to New Zealand and learn how she uses her mobile device to ensure her overseas trip is safe, convenient and enjoyable. You’ll also learn about some of the common tricks and scams that people fall victim to overseas and how you avoid them.
Using the cloud
The cloud can be used to share information, including your location, photos and even how to locate a lost device. It’s good to know how to do this and how to switch off sharing if you change your mind.
The courses in this topic look at the different types of free and paid cloud services available, depending on what brand and type of device you use. Each course is made up of an animated video and printable guide, showing step-by-step instructions on how to use these services.
To get started, if you need a quick refresher on what the cloud is, you can watch this short animation:
Transcript
Welcome to 'What is the cloud?' When you use a computer, a mobile, a smart device, or an app, there's a good chance that the cloud is a big part of what you do. When you do a web search, or use social media, you're using the cloud. When you watch YouTube, or catch-up TV, or make a video call, you're using the cloud. And when you send an email with Gmail, or use a mapping app, that's right, you're using the cloud. So what exactly is the cloud?
The cloud is simply a word for computer services that store or process data on the internet rather than on your device. Cloud services run on special computers called servers. Hundreds or thousands of these servers are gathered together in buildings called data centres, which provide these services. One of the most common types of cloud service involves data storage. These services keep your important files, photos, videos, contact lists, calendars, and more online instead of on your computer or mobile device. Cloud storage is a useful way to free up space on your devices and back-up your most vital files.
Having important files backed up in the cloud means you won't lose everything if your computer or mobile device stops working or becomes lost, and makes it quick and easy to copy what you need to a new device. And with your data saved in the cloud, you don't need to remember which device has the file you want. You can access all your stored files from almost any device with an internet connection. To keep your data in the cloud, you need an account with a cloud storage service.
Your cloud account keeps your files secure with your username and password. And if you have a Windows, Android or Apple device, chances are you already have a cloud account and storage with Microsoft's OneDrive, Google Drive or Apple's iCloud. These provide limited free storage for your files and you can buy more if you need it. You can also free up space in your cloud storage by moving files to a hard drive for safe keeping at home, or simply deleting files you no longer need. With the cloud, all your important files, photos, and more are stored securely. And as long as you have an internet connection, you can access what you need, no matter where you are or what device you're using.
When you’re ready, choose your device type and brand from the list below to start learning about how to get the most from the cloud.
Safety first
Discover some of the essentials of cyber safety like how your browser can help keep you safer online, how to create and remember strong passwords, spot common scams like phishing scams, safely download documents including PDF files, learn about the different payment options, such as Apple Pay and Google Pay, for shopping in-store and online, as well as run antivirus software.
Wi-Fi and mobile networks
How do you set up a Wi-Fi network to use the internet at home? Is it safe to connect to public Wi-Fi? What is the nbn and what do you need to know when looking for a new nbn plan? We answer these questions and more in these courses.
Windows Desktop: Sharing photos and location with the cloud
Learn how to back up important documents and photos to the cloud from your Windows desktop computer. This course will also show you how you can locate your other devices from your Windows desktop computer using the cloud.
Windows laptop: Sharing photos and location with the cloud
Learn how to back up important documents and photos to the cloud from your Windows laptop computer. This course will also show you how you can locate your other devices from your Windows laptop computer using the cloud.
Introduction to Facebook
Fun things to do with your photos
Learn how to shoot, edit, print and store your photos like a pro! These courses offer expert tips on taking great photos. You’ll learn how to move your photos from your camera or device to your computer for editing. Practice basic editing tasks using our Squirrel Editor practice area and then learn how to make fun gifts with your photos for your family and friends.
Apple desktop: Sharing photos and location with the cloud
Learn how to back up important documents and photos to the cloud from your Apple desktop computer. This course will also show you how you can locate your other devices from your Apple desktop computer using the Find My app and the cloud.
Apple laptop: Sharing photos and location with the cloud
Learn how to back up important documents and photos to the cloud from your Apple laptop computer. This course will also show you how you can locate your other devices from your Apple laptop computer using the Find My app and the cloud.
Apple iPhone: Cloud location services
Learn how to share your location with close friends and family using Google Maps and the cloud. You’ll also learn how you can locate your other Apple devices using the Find My app on your Apple iPhone.
Apple iPhone: Cloud back up and photo sharing
Find out what your iCloud account offers you and how you can back up photos and important documents to the cloud from your iPhone. You’ll also learn how you can share photos from your iCloud account via a link from your iPhone.
Android phone: Cloud back up and photo sharing
Find out what your cloud account offers you and how you can back up photos and other documents to the cloud account from your Android phone. You’ll also learn how to share photos from your Android phone using the Google Photos app.
Using the cloud
Explore the benefits of the cloud and how it can be used to back up and share photos and other important documents from your computer or mobile device. You'll learn how to use the cloud and Google Maps to locate your devices and share your location with close family and friends.
Desktops and laptops
- Windows Desktop: Sharing photos and location with the cloud
- Windows laptop: Sharing photos and location with the cloud
- Apple desktop: Sharing photos and location with the cloud
- Apple laptop: Sharing photos and location with the cloud
Phones
- Apple iPhone: Cloud back up and photo sharing
- Apple iPhone: Cloud location services
- Android phone: Cloud back up and photo sharing
- Android phone: Cloud location services
Tablets
Android phone: Cloud location services
Learn how to share your location with close friends and family using your Android phone and the Google Maps app. You’ll also learn how to locate your other devices from your Android phone using your Google account.
Apple iPad: Cloud back up and photo sharing
Find out what your iCloud account offers you and how you can back up photos and important documents to the cloud from your iPad. You’ll also learn how you can share photos from your iCloud account via a link from your iPad.
Apple iPad: Cloud location services
Learn how to share your location with close friends and family using Google Maps and the cloud. You’ll also learn how you can locate your other Apple devices using the Find My app on your Apple iPad.
Android tablet: Cloud back up and photo sharing
Find out what your cloud account offers you and how you can back up photos and other documents to the cloud account from your Android tablet. You’ll also learn how to share photos from your Android tablet using the Google Photos app.
Social media apps
Explore the world of social media with the big names like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest. We take an in-depth look at how you can safely create your own account in each of these platforms before going on to discover how you can find content of interest to you. You’ll also learn about some common social media scams and how you can protect yourself against them.
Android tablet: Cloud location services
Learn how to share your location with close friends and family using your Android tablet and the Google Maps app. You’ll also learn how to locate your other devices from your Android tablet using your Google account.
Using Facebook
Getting started with mobile banking
Introduction to smart homes
Ever wondered how technology can help you with your day-to-day tasks? This course explores the benefits of smart homes. Learn how to safely set up a smart speaker by training it to recognise your voice, how you can use a smart TV to watch catch-up TV or display your photo galleries and how you can use the cloud to save and back up your important photos and documents.
Introduction to Instagram
Setting up mobile banking
Introduction to Pinterest
Introduction to Twitter
Apps that come with your cloud subscription
Cloud subscriptions offer more than just storage. This exciting topic explores all the benefits that come with your cloud subscription. From free productivity apps, to photo storage and video calling apps, you’ll learn all there is to know about free and paid cloud subscriptions from the main cloud storage providers.