Getting Started Guide
This guide walks you through everything — from finding your first lesson to practising with simulations.
Jump to a section:
How to Use Learning Paths & Lessons
Step 1 — Choose a Learning Path
Go to "Learn → Learning Paths" in the menu. You'll see topics like "Email Skills", "Using the Internet", or "Smartphones & Tablets". Each topic is a Learning Path with several short lessons.
Browse Learning PathsStep 2 — Jump to any lesson
Inside a Learning Path, all lessons are listed on the left sidebar (or at the top on mobile). Tap or click any lesson title to jump to it. They are usually 3–5 minutes to read.
Step 3 — Read & Learn
Work through the lesson at your own pace. Scroll down to read it all. You'll find clear explanations, helpful tips in blue boxes, and sometimes images or short videos.
Step 4 — Try the Practice Simulation
Many lessons include a "Practice Simulation" at the bottom — an interactive exercise where you try things safely. Scroll down past the lesson content to find it. Have a go — you can't break anything!
Step 5 — Mark the Lesson Complete
Once you've read the lesson, scroll to the very bottom and click the green "Mark as Complete" button. This saves your progress. The lesson will show a ✅ tick in the lesson list.
Optional: Take the Quiz for your badge
After completing lessons in a path, you may be offered a short quiz. The quiz is optional — you don't need to complete it to progress. But if you pass it, you'll earn a digital badge! 🏅
How to Use Practice Simulations
What is a simulation?
Simulations are safe, interactive practice exercises. They look like real apps (a web browser, email inbox, or smartphone) but nothing is real — you can't accidentally send emails or buy anything.
How to interact
Just click or tap on buttons, type in boxes, and follow the instructions shown. For example: "Type a web address", "Click the Like button", or "Spot which email is a scam".
Scrolling inside a simulation
Some simulations have scrollable content inside them. If you see more content below, scroll within that box the same way — swipe up on mobile or use your mouse wheel on a computer.
Take your time
There is no timer. If you make a mistake, most simulations give you feedback explaining what happened. You can try again as many times as you like.
Try one now!
Here are three example simulations for you to try right on this page:
Learn English & Maths
Learn English — 20 practical lessons
Improve your spelling, grammar, punctuation, writing emails and understanding documents. Each lesson has a practice activity and short quiz. Complete all 20 to earn your English Skills badge!
Start Learn EnglishLearn Maths — 20 everyday lessons
Practical maths you actually use — shopping, budgeting, telling the time, fractions and more. Each lesson includes a practice simulation and quiz. Complete all 20 to earn your Maths Skills badge!
Start Learn MathsWho are these for?
These lessons are designed for adults who want to feel more confident with everyday English and maths — no school experience needed. Start at any lesson and work at your own pace.
Internet Search & Ask MTrain AI
Safe Internet Search
Use our built-in Safe Internet Search to find trusted, secure websites without worrying about scams or inappropriate content. It only shows results from reputable sources like government, NHS, and well-known organisations.
Open Safe Internet SearchAsk MTrain AI
MTrain AI is your personal digital skills assistant. Ask it any question about technology — how to make text bigger, fix WiFi, spot a scam email, or use your phone. It remembers your conversation, so you can ask follow-up questions without repeating yourself!
Ask MTrain AITwo Search Modes
On the Internet Search page, you can switch between: • "Internet Search" — finds safe, trusted website links • "Ask AI" — asks MTrain AI a question and gets a helpful answer Use the toggle buttons at the top of the page to switch between them.
Quick Response vs Full Search
You can toggle between Quick Response (3 fast results or a short AI answer) and Full Search (up to 10 results or a more detailed AI answer). Use Quick Response when you're in a hurry, and Full Search when you want more detail.
News Headlines
The Internet Search page also shows the latest news headlines (updated every 5 minutes) above the search results. Visit the News Hub to browse news by category — UK, USA, Europe, and Technology.
Visit News HubSpecialist Guides
What are Specialist Guides?
Specialist Guides are in-depth pages on one topic — like Password Safety, Smartphone Photography, Digital Photography, Photo Editing, or Understanding AI. They go deeper than lessons and include extra tips, examples, and interactive tools.
Where to find them
Use the "Explore" menu at the top, or see the Home page under "Explore Specialist Guides".
Try: Understanding AI GuideHow to use them
Click any specialist guide and scroll down to read the sections. No need to mark them complete — they're reference guides you can return to any time.
Using My Plan
What is My Plan?
My Plan is your personalised learning roadmap. Choose the topics you want to focus on, and DigiLearn shows you the most relevant learning paths in order.
Go to My PlanSetting up your plan
Go to "Learn → My Plan". On your first visit, choose your focus areas — for example "Email Skills", "Online Banking", or "Smartphones". Tick as many as you like and click "Save My Plan".
Following your plan
Your plan shows "Up Next For You" — the most relevant paths. Each card shows lessons completed and a Start or Continue button.
Updating your plan
Click "Edit Skills" at the top of My Plan at any time. Your progress is never deleted.
Digital Business & Career Skills
What are Digital Business & Career Skills?
These are in-depth guides for people who are self-employed, job seeking, or running a small business. You can find them in the "Advanced" menu at the top of the page.
MTrain App Studio — Design Your Own App
Describe your app idea in plain English and AI will design it for you — screens, features, colour scheme and more. You can then download a working HTML version, or contact MTrain Services to have it professionally built for the Google Play Store or Apple App Store.
Open MTrain App StudioMTrain Web Studio — Generate a Full Website
Tell the AI about your business and it will generate a complete website with real content for every page. Edit pages, preview them in a browser mockup, and download as a working HTML file — or contact MTrain to have it professionally hosted with your own domain.
Open MTrain Web StudioOther Business Tools
Also available under Advanced: • Bookkeeping for Self-Employment • Tax Tips for Self-Employed • Social Media Marketing • YouTube Creation • Presentation Software • Job Application Questions • CV Builder & Writing Checker
Learning Hubs — Quick Links to Everything
🎓 Skills Hub
Your one-stop hub for core skills — Learn English, Learn Maths, Improve Your Typing, Keyboard Practice, Writing Checker, and more. The Skills Hub brings together all the foundational skill-building pages in one place.
Open Skills Hub🤖 AI Hub
Explore artificial intelligence — what it is, what it can do, AI tools, and how to use AI safely. Includes links to AI Image Studio, AI Video Studio, and Ask MTrain AI.
Open AI Hub🎬 Photo & Video Hub
Learn smartphone photography, digital photography, photo editing, video calling skills, and free photo editing tools — all in one hub.
Open Photo & Video Hub🎨 Graphics Hub
Create presentations with PowerPoint, Google Slides, or Canva. Includes guides on photo editing and AI image tools.
Open Graphics Hub💼 Business Digital Hub
Guides for self-employed people and small businesses — bookkeeping, tax tips, social media marketing, YouTube creation, website creation, and more.
Open Business Hub🔍 Employment Hub
Job search, job applications, CV building, Universal Credit guidance, and AI career advice — everything you need for job hunting.
Open Employment Hub🍎 Apple Learning Hub
Master Apple devices and software — Pages (word processor), Keynote (presentations), Numbers (spreadsheets), Mac desktop navigation, and latest iOS features.
Open Apple Hub📱 Phone Hub
Everything about smartphones — troubleshooting, setup guides, iPhone and Android sandboxes, smartphone photography, and charging tips.
Open Phone Hub⭐ Important Hub
Quick access to essential pages — doctor appointments, keyboard shortcuts, writing checker, website creation, A to Z guide, help desk, and feedback.
Open Important Hub💻 Software Development Hub
Be inspired! Explore software development — intro to programming, Python, Visual Basic, website creation, AI image generation, and MTrain App & Web Studios for building real apps and websites.
Open Software Dev HubOther Useful Tools
🔤 A to Z Digital Guide
Not sure what a word means? The A to Z Guide explains digital terms in plain English — from "App" to "WiFi".
Open A to Z Guide📺 Video Learning
Prefer to watch? The Videos page has short tutorial videos on many topics. Great if you find videos easier to follow.
Browse Videos🧠 My Quiz
Test your knowledge on any topic. Great for revision. The quiz is optional — you don't need it to progress through lessons.
Try a Quiz📚 External Resources
Links to trusted external websites — BBC, NHS, government digital skills programmes — for extra learning.
View Resources🏅 My Badges
See all the badges you've earned. Each badge shows which Learning Path you completed.
View My Badges💬 Help & Q&A
Have a question? See what other learners have asked, or ask your own. The support chat (bottom-right) is always available.
Visit Help & Q&A⌨️ Keyboard Practice
Learn to type on a QWERTY keyboard with an interactive on-screen keyboard. Practice with templates or type freely.
Open Keyboard Practice📈 Improve Your Typing
Tips and exercises to type faster and more accurately. Includes guidance for people whose first language is not English.
Learn to Type Better🎨 Graphics Hub
Create presentations, design graphics, edit photos, and use AI image tools — all in one place.
Visit Graphics Hub📊 PowerPoint Guide
Learn Microsoft PowerPoint from scratch — create professional presentations with slides, images, and transitions.
Open PowerPoint Guide📊 Google Slides Guide
Create presentations for free in your browser with Google Slides — no software needed, includes collaboration.
Open Google Slides Guide🍎 Apple Learning Hub
Master Apple devices and software — Pages, Keynote, Numbers, Mac desktop navigation, and latest iOS features.
Open Apple Learning HubTop Tips for Learners
Go at your own pace
There is no rush. DigiLearn is available 24/7. Spend 5 minutes or 2 hours — it's entirely up to you.
Don't worry about mistakes
Nothing you do on this website causes harm. Simulations are safe practice areas. Click around and explore freely.
Use the accessibility tools
Text too small? Click the blue accessibility button (bottom-left corner) to make text larger, change font, or increase contrast.
Use the support chat
Click the purple chat button (bottom-right corner) if you get stuck. Our AI assistant answers questions in plain, friendly language.
Come back regularly
Even 10 minutes a week adds up. Your progress is always saved — pick up exactly where you left off.
Quick Quiz — Getting Started
Q1.What is a "Learning Path" on DigiLearn?
Q2.What is a Practice Simulation?
Q3.How do you earn a badge on DigiLearn?
Q4.What does the Accessibility button (bottom-left) let you do?
Ready to get started?
Choose a learning path that interests you and take your first lesson today!
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