GEO Digital Champions Resource List
GEO has put together a list of resources for GEO Digital Champions. This list is constantly growing and evolving so please check back for updates.
If you have resources you would like to share, or if you have any questions on the resources listed here, please email the GEO Team at training@geonovascotia.ca
Core Resources
ABC Literacy covers digital literacy as well as a huge range of other areas (ESOL, basic literacy, financial literacy; employability etc.).
Digital Unite is an award-winning UK based social enterprise, working with hundreds of organisations, and supporting thousands of people to achieve digital inclusion and enable change. This site is fantastic and includes an excellent range of guides.
MediaSmarts has been developing digital and media literacy programs and resources for Canadian homes, schools and communities since 1996. Through their work they support adults with information and tools so they can help children and teens develop the critical thinking skills they need for interacting with the media they love.(includes games which could be used in a teaching context).
Telus Wise offers a range of resources on digital literacy.
NetSmartzKids is very focussed on online safety for CYP but many of the resources could be used in main sessions to share core safety messages etc.
Digital Champion Specific Resources
In addition to guides, Digital Unite is full of useful reading and resources for Digital Champions.
One Digital is a great place for Digital Champions to learn about different Digital Champions models and the impact they can have on someone’s confidence online.
Highlighted Resources
211 Nova Scotia is a free 24/7, confidential helpline and web service, that connects people to community and social services in Nova Scotia, in over 140 languages.
Accessibility
Dyslexia Canada has useful suggestions about accessibility in terms of fonts, colours and further recommended sites. Reading Rockets is an excellent example.
Neil Squire is an amazing society for Canadians with disabilities. Lots of free programs including a one-on-one distance computer comfort program.
Operating System and Browser Specific Resources
Google has a helpful guide for the Chromebook that includes step-by-step instructions on how to do different tasks.
Google Chrome Chrome Extensions
You can find help and support for apps and extensions at the Chromebook Help Centre.
Google Translate is excellent for basic translation work but it does make mistakes. Google translate should never be used to translate legal documents.
Grammarly – the free version includes basic writing suggestions designed to help you produce clean, mistake-free writing.
Helperbird – offers Over 32 accessibility & productivity features built to support every kind of reader, learner, and writer.
Microsoft
Microsoft offers support and some basic training for their office suite to help learners get up and running quickly.
Microsoft Edge Add-ons
Just like Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge offers add-ons to customize the browsing experience. These extensions can help you block ads, manage passwords, learn new languages and more. You can find out more here.
Apple
Apple offers support and training for all their products and devices.
Apple Safari Extensions
Just like Google Chrome and Microsoft Edge, Apple’s Safari browser offers extensions letting you block ads, find the best prices and discounts while you shop, save web pages for offline reading, and much more. You can find more information by visiting https://apps.apple.com/us/story/id1377753262
Essential Digital Skills
Learn My Way is a simple and accessible platform for new learners to build their confidence. This UK based platform includes interactive video tutorials on a range of topics including online basics such as searching the internet and using email.
ABC Life Literacy offers Canadian resources on digital literacy, including ABC Internet Matters. With ABC Internet Matters, adult and senior Canadians will develop a basic understanding of what the internet is, how to access it, and how to stay safe online.
The ABC Skills Hub is an excellent place to start learning. Digital Champions and their learners can create a free account and access a number of different courses.
Applied Digital Skills is a google-centric library of free online classes covering a wide range of topics that teach digital literacy as well as practical life and job skills.
Literacy
ABC Literacy covers digital literacy as well as a huge range of other areas (ESOL, basic literacy, financial literacy; employability etc.)
HSBC Family Literacy First is a program that aims to bring parents and children together to practice family literacy through free online resources. The program offers resources in different language, including English, French, Simplified Chinese, Tagalog and Arabic, so families can learn together in their first language, or practice a second or third language.
Public Services
A list of important public service sites for Nova Scotia and Canada.
Access Nova Scotia Online Services
The Department of Community Services helps people live more independent and healthier lives by providing a range of social services.
Canada Revenue Agency site which includes the CRA login portal.
Programs, services and information from the Government of Nova Scotia.
The Benefits Finder is a tool that can help people find Benefits and Services they may be eligible to receive. It asks a few questions and uses the answers to search. It does not collect or track information. The more questions answered, the more customized and accurate the results will be.
Health and Wellbeing (including mental health)
Virtual Care Nova Scotia provides free, temporary access to primary medical care for people on the Need a Family Practice Registry. Through Virtual Care NS, people on the registry can make a same-day virtual medical appointment for their health care needs.
Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addiction Program
The Nova Scotia Department of Health and Wellness website allows you to search for a Dept. of Health and Wellness program or service.
811.novascotia.ca. For trusted, everyday health information and advice, call 811. In addition to being telephone service, the 811 website has many online resources around health and wellness.
The Cybersmile Education Program provides a full curriculum of interactive modules suitable for all age groups and abilities. The program delivers fun and engaging education on important topics affecting internet users of all ages.
Support Around Harm Reduction
Nova Scotia Take Home Naloxone Program Naloxone kits are available free of charge to anyone at risk of opioid overdose. Family, friends those who may witness an overdose can also get a kit. Individuals must complete basic opioid overdose/naloxone administration training before you can get your naloxone kit. The training session is about 20 minutes long.
National Overdose Response Service (NORS) is an overdose prevention hotline for Canadians providing loving, confidential, nonjudgmental support for you, whenever and wherever you use drugs.
Education
SkillsonlineNS is an online upskilling portal that provides all Nova Scotians with an opportunity to acquire today’s in-demand skills. The FREE program is offered through a partnership between the Department of Labour, Skills, Immigration and the NS Association of CBDCs.
Staying Safe Online
Get Cyber Safe is a national public awareness campaign created to inform Canadians about cyber security and the simple steps they can take to protect themselves online. The content is accurate and up to date, but does require a medium level of literacy.
Additional information on phishing can be found on the Get Cyber Safe website.
Cybertip.ca offers information about the ever-changing online interests of children, the potential risks they face, and proactive strategies to help keep your child/youth safe while online.
Internet Matters provides expert support and practical tips to help children benefit from connected technology and the internet safely and smartly.
Be Internet Awesome is a great google site helping children be safe, confident explorers of the online world.
Jigsaw is a phishing quiz you can share with your learners.
Financial Hardship
Housing Nova Scotia offer grants and forgivable loans to low income households to allow for emergency home repairs as well as repairs related to health and safety.
The Halifax Affordable Access Program allows qualified residents to apply for municipal subsidised programs (transit pass, recreation access program, property tax exemption and deferral program).
Employability
Nova Scotia Works is a one-stop job search and career advice resource, helping Nova Scotians reach their employment goals.
African Nova Scotian
The Office of African Nova Scotian Affairs works with government, communities and partners to help provide services and programs for the African Nova Scotian community.
The Land Titles Initiative helps residents in the communities of North Preston, East Preston, Cherry Brook/Lake Loon, Lincolnville and Sunnyville get clear title to their land at no cost.
As an Africentric Institute, the Delmore “Buddy” Daye Learning Institute (DBDLI) creates educational change and genuine opportunities for learners and communities of African ancestry to reach their full potential.
African Nova Scotian family names by region. The dataset provides the predominate and traditional family names of African Nova Scotians in 6 regions in Nova Scotia,
Family Law Nova Scotia provides a comprehensive list of resources for African Nova Scotians on their website.
Indigenous Peoples
The Office of L’nu Affairs offers a list of resources for Indigenous people. Some resources are Nova Scotia based, others are national.
Tajikeimɨk is the new and developing health and wellness organization being created to lead health transformation for Mi’kmaw communities in Nova Scotia.
The Mi’kmaw Resource Guide, originating with Eastern Woodland Publishing, is a collection of material related to Mi’kma’ki. It provides an overview of the homeland of the Mi’kmaq and a brief history and time chart of significant events.
The talking dictionary project is developing an Internet resource for the Mi’gmaq/Mi’kmaq language. Each headword is recorded by a minimum of three speakers. Multiple speakers allow one to hear differences and variations in how a word is pronounced.
The University of Prince Edward Island has a list of Mi’kmaq language websites and useful Mi’kmaq apps.
CBC Indigenous Original Voices allows you to explore the many diverse Indigenous languages that exist across Canada.
An article on digital equity for Indigenous communities on the Samuel Centre for Social Connectedness website.
LGBTQIA2S+
The Youth Project is a non-profit charitable organization dedicated to providing support and services to youth, 25 and under, around issues of sexual orientation and gender identity.
Halifax Pride’s website offers lots of resources, including NS Health, gender, sexuality and resources for LGBTQIA2S+ immigrants.
prideHealth works to improve access to safe, coordinated, comprehensive primary health care for people who are part of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.
PFLAG Canada provides support, education and resources on issues of sexual orientation and gender identity. It assists in the recognition and growth of gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, intersex, queer and questioning persons and their families in Canada.
Women
The Nova Scotia Advisory Council on the Status of Women has a list of domestic violence resources on their website.
Older Adults
Connected Canadians offer a diverse range of online activities for older adults.
ABC Life Literacy Canada’s Youth Teaching Adults is a free introductory digital literacy program for adult learners, led by youth volunteer-tutors. The program encourages youth to develop their leadership skills through teaching and helps adults increase their digital literacy skills.
Refugees, Asylum Seekers and Newcomers
Halifax Refugee Clinic provides education, legal and settlement services to refugee claimants who are unable to afford a private lawyer.
The Government of Canada Immigration and Citizenship website offers information and resources from the Government of Canada.
A Government of Canada website page with access to an online self assessment language test and information on government funded language lessons.
ISANS (Immigrant Services Association of Nova Scotia) is the leading immigrant settlement service agency in Atlantic Canada, serving 10,000+ clients annually in 104 communities across Nova Scotia, through many kinds of services—language, settlement, community integration, and employment—both in person and online.
The YMCA of Greater Halifax and Dartmouth provides newcomer children, youth, and their families with a variety of programs and outreach services
People Experiencing Homelessness
Shelter Nova Scotia supports people in times of crisis. We offer help through emergency shelters, supported and community housing, and community outreach programs.
Children, Young People and Families
Be Internet Awesome is a great google site helping children be safe, confident explorers of the online world.
Protect Kids Online contains resources and information for parents, including a reporting tool.
Kids Help Phone is Canada’s only 24/7, national support service. We offer professional counselling, information and referrals and volunteer-led, text-based support to young people in multiple languages. Completely confidential.
The Learning Portal. Young people and citizens knowing their digital rights
Need Help Now helps teens stop the spread of sexual pictures or videos and provides support along the way.
Common Sense Media is a helpful all-rounder for parents/carers and educators and also has resources for CYP. It offers high levels of information to enable people to make informed choices.
Digital Citizenship. A .pdf classroom resource that explores the power of digital citizenship.
An article on staying safe online and managing one’s digital footprint. The links are helpful when used in a school context but they can also be applied to wider work and could be useful to anyone working with children, young people and families.
Caring for Kids has a good parent’s guide to healthcare on the internet.
Cybertip.ca Canada’s national tipline for reporting the online sexual exploitation of children.
Zoe & Molly Online is an interactive series that gives kids in Grade 3 and 4 an opportunity to have some fun while exploring what it means to be safe while playing games online.
Swiggle is a child friendly search engine designed to help young people with their first steps on the internet.
Entertainment
Using the internet for entertainment offers many benefits. CBC’s free streaming service CBC Gem is a great resource to share with your learners.
Pluto TV streams more than 20,000 hours of free programming to Canadians. Pluto TV, through a partnership with Corus, features more than 110 channels curated from a library containing thousands of titles from Paramount and other global media partners.
Misinformation and Fact-checking
Snopes.com is an Internet reference source for researching urban legends, folklore, myths, rumors, and misinformation.
Reuters have a fact check section on their website.
Internet Matters is a great resource with advice to help young people improve their critical thinking so they can better recognise fake news.
Sites Recommended by GEO Referral Partners (many are also found above)
Revenue Canada – Administering tax laws for the Government of Canada and for most provinces and territories https://www.canada.ca/en/revenue-agency.html
The official site of the Government of Canada – https://www.canada.ca/en.html
Official site of the municipal government of Halifax https://www.halifax.ca
Nova Scotia 211 provides access to information, advocate for those in need, and encourages investment in social programs and services. https://ns.211.ca/
Nova Scotia Health Mental Health and Addiction Program – https://mha.nshealth.ca/
Service Canada provides Canadians with a single point of access to a wide range of government services and benefit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/corporate/portfolio/service-canada.html
Nova Scotia’s Child Care Subsidy Program helps eligible families, with children 12 years and under, pay for a portion of child care fees at licensed child care facilities and regulated family home day care agencies. https://www.ednet.ns.ca/earlyyears/families/childcaresubsidy.shtml
Elections Canada – https://www.elections.ca/home.aspx
Elections NS – https://electionsnovascotia.ca/
Nova Scotia Health COVID-19 – https://www.nshealth.ca/coronavirus
Cape Breton Regional Library – https://cbrl.ca/
NS Provincial Library – https://library.novascotia.ca/
Halifax Public Libraries – https://www.halifaxpubliclibraries.ca/
Valley Regional Library – https://www.valleylibrary.ca/
Southshore Public Libraries – https://www.southshorepubliclibraries.ca/
Department of Community Services – https://beta.novascotia.ca/government/community-services
Access Nova Scotia – https://novascotia.ca/access-services-online/
Nova Scotia Works – https://novascotiaworks.ca/nsdc/
Virtual Care NS – https://www.nshealth.ca/content/virtualcarens
Recreation Halifax Account Login – https://recreation.halifax.ca/enterprise/account/login