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Workshop Facilitator Guide
Everything you need to run a Digital Confidence Centre session at your library, community centre, seniors' club, or church. Free to use, no registration required.
Who This Guide Is For
This guide is for anyone who wants to run an in-person digital literacy session using the Digital Confidence Centre. You do not need to be a technology expert — you just need to be comfortable facilitating a group.
Typical facilitators include: public library staff, community centre programme coordinators, church volunteers, credit union community liaisons, and trained senior peer educators.
Before the Workshop: Setup Checklist
- Confirm your venue has reliable Wi-Fi that participants can access
- Decide on group size — ideal is 6 to 12 participants, maximum 20
- Ask participants to bring their own iPad, iPhone, or Android device
- Print the DCC website address: twobirds-kramerica.github.io/digital-confidence
- Preview the module you plan to use so you know its content
- Arrange seating so participants can see both you and their own screen
- Prepare a simple handout with the website URL and the day's plan
- Have spare paper and pens for participants to write notes
Recommended Workshop Formats
Format A: Single Session — 90 Minutes
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 0:00–0:10 | Welcome, introductions, and ground rules |
| 0:10–0:20 | Open the DCC home page together |
| 0:20–0:50 | Work through one module together (Module 1 or 2 recommended) |
| 0:50–1:05 | Try the module quiz together |
| 1:05–1:20 | Q&A and personal cheat sheet writing |
| 1:20–1:30 | Wrap-up: what to try at home, next module, how to get help |
Format B: Six-Week Series — One Module Per Week
Each session is 60 minutes. Participants return weekly for a progression of modules.
- Week 1 Module 1: The Escape Hatch
- Week 2 Module 2: The Security Shield
- Week 3 Module 3: Passwords & Biometrics
- Week 4 Module 5: Email & Messages
- Week 5 Module 6: Banking & Transactions
- Week 6 Module 8: Stay Connected + graduation!
Facilitation Techniques That Work
The "Hands Stay On Their Device" Rule
Never take a participant's device. Describe what to look for and wait while they find it themselves — this is how the learning sticks.
Use a Buddy System for Groups Larger Than 8
Pair each participant with a neighbour. When someone gets stuck, ask them to ask their buddy first — this builds peer confidence.
Pause Frequently and Ask "What Do You See?"
After each step, ask "What does your screen look like right now?" This helps you spot who is behind and builds their ability to describe technology.
Normalise Getting Things Wrong
When a participant makes a mistake, say: "That is a really common one — let me show everyone what to do when that happens." This removes the shame.
End Every Session With a Written Takeaway
Leave 10 minutes for participants to write down the three things they learned, by hand, on a card to take home and display near their device.
Handling Common Challenges
"My device is different"
This is expected. Ask them to describe what they see and help them find the equivalent on their device. The DCC content works across devices.
One participant is significantly further behind
Assign a buddy. After the session, take five minutes individually to point them to Module 1 to work through at home. Do not slow the whole group.
A participant becomes very anxious or upset
"This is genuinely tricky — you are not doing anything wrong." Offer a break. Remind them: nothing on the DCC can break their device or cost them money.
Wi-Fi is unreliable or unavailable
Display the DCC on a screen using your own device. Walk participants through content verbally and have them write down key takeaways.
After the Workshop
- Give every participant the DCC website address: twobirds-kramerica.github.io/digital-confidence
- Let them know which module to try next on their own
- Share the For Families guide with any family members: /resources/for-families.html
- Note what worked and what was confusing — send feedback via the site's feedback form
- Invite participants to tell one person they know about the programme
Want to partner with the Digital Confidence Centre?
If you run regular digital literacy programmes for seniors in Ontario and would like to be listed as a community partner, contact us through the feedback form on the DCC website.