Find and use information — NCFE Essential Digital Skills Digital Skills & IT Revision

    This subtopic focuses on the practical skills needed to locate, assess, and manage digital information for both personal and professional contexts. Learner

    Topic Synopsis

    This subtopic focuses on the practical skills needed to locate, assess, and manage digital information for both personal and professional contexts. Learners develop the ability to use search tools effectively, judge the credibility and relevance of sources, and store data according to organisational protocols, ensuring compliance and efficient retrieval.

    Key Concepts & Core Principles

    Exam Tips & Revision Strategies

    Common Misconceptions & Mistakes to Avoid

    Examiner Marking Points

    Find and use information

    NCFE
    vocational

    This subtopic focuses on the practical skills needed to locate, assess, and manage digital information for both personal and professional contexts. Learners develop the ability to use search tools effectively, judge the credibility and relevance of sources, and store data according to organisational protocols, ensuring compliance and efficient retrieval.

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    Learning Outcomes
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    Assessment Guidance
    5
    Key Skills
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    Key Terms
    5
    Assessment Criteria

    Assessment criteria

    NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Digital Skills

    Topic Overview

    The NCFE Level 1 Certificate in Digital Skills is a foundational qualification designed to equip students with essential digital competencies for everyday life, further study, and entry-level employment. This course covers a broad range of topics, including using devices, creating and editing digital content, staying safe online, and communicating effectively through digital tools. It is ideal for students who are new to digital technology or want to build confidence in using computers, tablets, and the internet.

    In today's digital world, these skills are crucial for almost every aspect of life, from managing personal finances online to collaborating on school projects. The qualification is structured around practical, real-world tasks, such as creating a spreadsheet, sending an email with attachments, or researching a topic safely on the web. By the end of the course, students will be able to demonstrate their ability to use digital tools independently and responsibly, preparing them for more advanced study in IT or vocational pathways.

    This certificate is part of the NCFE Other Life Skills Qualification suite, which focuses on developing transferable skills for personal and professional development. It is assessed through a portfolio of evidence, meaning students collect examples of their work to show they have met the learning outcomes. This approach allows learners to progress at their own pace and receive constructive feedback, making it an accessible and supportive introduction to digital skills.

    Key Concepts

    Core ideas you must understand for this topic

    • →Digital Footprint: Understanding that every online action leaves a trace, and learning how to manage privacy settings and think before posting.
    • →File Management: Organising files and folders effectively, including saving, naming, and retrieving documents from different locations (e.g., local drive, cloud storage).
    • →Online Safety: Recognising phishing emails, creating strong passwords, and knowing how to report inappropriate content or cyberbullying.
    • →Digital Communication: Using email, instant messaging, and video calls appropriately, including netiquette (e.g., clear subject lines, professional tone).
    • →Creating Digital Content: Using software to produce text documents, spreadsheets, and presentations, with basic formatting and data entry skills.

    Learning Objectives

    What you need to know and understand

    • Demonstrate the use of search engines and databases to find relevant information
    • Apply criteria to evaluate the reliability and validity of online sources
    • Select appropriate information to meet specific personal or work-related requirements
    • Organise and store digital files using agreed naming conventions and folder structures
    • Explain the importance of following organisational procedures when storing sensitive information

    Assessment Criteria

    Key criteria assessors look for in your portfolio

    • Award credit for using multiple search terms and filters to refine results
    • Credit for identifying at least two indicators of source credibility (e.g., author, date, domain)
    • Evidence must show the selection of information that directly addresses the stated need
    • Files must be stored in the correct location with names that match the organisation’s convention
    • Answers should reference data protection principles and access permissions

    Assessment Guidance

    Guidance for achieving higher grades

    • 💡Always read the full task brief to determine whether you are meeting a personal or organisational need before searching
    • 💡When evaluating sources, use the CRAAP test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) as a mental checklist
    • 💡Before storing, check the organisation’s file naming rules and folder hierarchy; if none are provided, create a logical structure yourself
    • 💡Include a short justification for your choice of storage location or file format when submitting evidence
    • 💡Tip 1: When building your portfolio, always include screenshots or screen recordings that clearly show the steps you took. For example, if you create a spreadsheet, capture the data entry, formula use, and final chart. This proves you can perform each skill independently.
    • 💡Tip 2: Read each assessment criterion carefully. If it asks you to 'demonstrate' something, you need to show the process, not just the final result. For instance, for 'demonstrate how to stay safe online,' include evidence of adjusting privacy settings or identifying a phishing email.
    • 💡Tip 3: Use the spell-check and grammar tools in your documents, but also proofread manually. Small errors can lose marks, and showing attention to detail is a key digital skill. Save your work regularly and keep backups to avoid losing evidence.

    Common Mistakes

    Common errors to avoid in your coursework

    • Relying on the first search result without evaluating its trustworthiness
    • Confusing personal preference with organisational need when selecting information
    • Saving files with generic or meaningless names (e.g., 'document1.docx')
    • Failing to distinguish between different file formats and their appropriate uses
    • Overlooking the requirement to restrict access to confidential data
    • Misconception: 'If I delete a file from my computer, it's gone forever.' Correction: Deleted files often go to a Recycle Bin or Trash and can be restored. Even after emptying, files can sometimes be recovered with special software, so be careful what you delete.
    • Misconception: 'A strong password just needs to be long.' Correction: A strong password should be a mix of uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and symbols, and should not contain easily guessable information like your name or birthdate. Using a passphrase (e.g., 'PurpleElephantDance!23') is often more secure.
    • Misconception: 'If a website looks professional, it's safe to use.' Correction: Scammers can create convincing fake websites. Always check for HTTPS in the URL, look for contact information, and read reviews before entering personal details or making payments.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Common questions students ask about this topic

    Before You Start

    Prior knowledge that will help with this topic

    • •Basic literacy and numeracy skills (e.g., reading instructions, simple arithmetic) are helpful but not mandatory.
    • •No prior digital skills are required, but familiarity with using a mouse or touchscreen can make the course easier.
    • •A willingness to explore and practice digital tools independently will greatly enhance learning.

    Key Terminology

    Essential terms to know

    • Information retrieval strategies
    • Source credibility assessment
    • Personal vs organisational needs
    • Digital file management
    • Data security and procedures

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