Teach Yourself Technology

These sites have tutorials on a wide array of tech topics, from basic to advanced. Use these on your own or visit these sites in conjunction with attending CTC classes.

Mouse and Keyboard

Typing.com
Create a free account to learn how to type as well as improve your speed and accuracy.

General Tech Skills

Udemy
A learning platform that offers a wide range of technology courses.

Computer Skills Center (Learning Express)
Video courses to learn popular software and computer basics. Includes computer basics, internet basics, Microsoft tools, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, and understanding your Windows operating system.

GCF LearnFree
More than 90 tutorials on a variety of subjects; suitable for beginning and intermediate skill levels.

Commoncraft
Short, sweet illustrated videos that break down tech topics into language that anyone can understand.

DigitalLearn
Basic computer tutorials for beginners.

Digital Literacy Assessment
Take free assessments on a variety of basic and intermediate computer skills to see what your strengths and weaknesses are, and then print off a certificate of completion.

Techboomers
Free videos and article tutorials on how to use popular websites like Netflix, Amazon and Gmail as well as various social networks. Especially geared towards baby boomer and senior learners.

Virtual Privacy Lab
Learn about privacy topics and generate a custom privacy toolkit geared towards your online needs. Toolkits include links, tips, and resources that empower you to customize your online identity. From the San Jose Public Library.

YouTube
Do a search with the name of your software or device and a brief explanation of what you want to learn, and chances are there are videos teaching what you seek. However, it is important to keep in mind that anyone can upload a video to YouTube and videos are not reviewed for their accuracy. An example search: “Microsoft Word 2010 mail merge tutorial”

Software Specific

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Publisher, Access)
Free tutorials from Microsoft on how to use their products, including Microsoft Office Word, Excel, Publisher and Access 2007-2013. Training courses are organized by product, then by skill level.

Adobe Creative Cloud
Includes videos for the full Adobe creative suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, LightRoom and others. Suitable for beginners and intermediate students.

Floss Manuals
Find a variety of tutorials for open source software programs.

Coding

Codeacademy
Codeacademy is an education company committed to helping people learn programming. They offer free, interactive lessons on HTML, CSS, JavaScript, PHP, Python and Ruby. Users are required to create a free account.

Hacking

Hack This Site
A safe and legal way for hackers to learn and improve their hacking abilities once they’ve created a free account. Includes forums and articles on all topics related to hacking and network security.

Spanish/en español

GCF Aprende Libre
Thorough tutorials in Spanish on beginning and intermediate tech topics, including how to use devices like iPads and Androids.

Digital Literacy Assessment
On the homepage, select Español as the language. Allows users to take free assessments on a variety of basic and intermediate computer skills to see what your strengths and weaknesses are, and then print off a certificate of completion.

TypingWeb
From this page, select Español under the Language and Keyboard setting at the top of the screen. Create a free account to learn how to type as well as improve your speed and accuracy.