Week 1 Instructor Guide | VUB Intermediate Computer Skills

⏰ Session Timeline (2 Hours)

0:00-0:08

Welcome & Ice Breaker Warm-Up

Introduce yourself. Ask: "How many of you have used VA.gov or MyHealtheVet before? What was your experience?" Distribute handouts while students share.

0:08-0:15

Course Overview & Objectives Lecture

Review the 8-week curriculum, set expectations. Explain that this builds on Basic Computer Skills. Preview today's objectives and the pre-test.

0:15-0:35

Pre-Test Assessment Assessment

Have participants complete the 20-question pre-test. Reassure them it's just a baseline — not graded. Allow them to work at their own pace.

0:35-0:55

VA.gov & ID.me Overview Presentation

Navigate to VA.gov on the projector. Demonstrate the main sections: Health Care, Benefits, Records. Explain the login process and ID.me verification.

0:55-1:05

Break Break

10-minute break. Encourage participants to stretch, use restroom.

1:05-1:20

MyHealtheVet Deep Dive Presentation

Demonstrate the MyHealtheVet portal: secure messaging, prescription refills, viewing lab results, appointment scheduling. Use the handout as a guide.

1:20-1:45

Hands-On Practice Practice

Participants navigate VA.gov and MyHealtheVet on their own computers. Those with accounts can practice logging in, sending a test secure message, or viewing records. Others explore public pages using the handout as a guide. Walk around to assist.

1:45-1:55

VA Safety & Show What You Found Evaluation

Show examples of fake VA websites and phishing emails. Then ask 2-3 students to share one thing they found or accomplished during practice. Emphasize: always type VA.gov directly, check for .gov in the URL.

1:55-2:00

Wrap-Up & Take-Home Challenge Application

Summarize key takeaways. Challenge: try logging into VA.gov at home this week, or bookmark it on your computer. Preview next week's topic (Windows Tips & Productivity).

📝 Instructor Notes

Account Access: Not all students may have VA.gov or MyHealtheVet accounts. That's okay — they can still learn the navigation and set up accounts later.
ID.me Frustration: The ID.me verification process can be frustrating. Acknowledge this and explain it's a security measure to protect their information.
Real-World Relevance: This topic is extremely relevant to veterans. Many have never used these portals and will appreciate learning about them.
Sensitive Information: Be mindful that some veterans may have complicated relationships with the VA. Keep the tone helpful, not promotional.
Security Emphasis: Stress that these portals contain sensitive health and financial information. Always log out, never share passwords.
Homework Suggestion: Encourage students to create or verify their VA.gov login before next week.

💬 Discussion Questions

Opener (after pre-test): "How many of you have used VA.gov or MyHealtheVet before? What was your experience like?"
During VA.gov Demo: "What VA services would be most helpful for you to access online? Health care? Benefits? Records?"
MyHealtheVet Section: "Have you ever wanted to message your doctor but couldn't get through on the phone? Secure messaging can help with that."
Safety Discussion: "Have any of you received suspicious emails claiming to be from the VA? What did they look like?"
Wrap-up: "What's one thing you learned today that you'll try at home this week?"

📊 Pre-Test Notes

Purpose: Establish baseline knowledge for comparison with post-test in Week 8.
Duration: 15-20 minutes (allow extra time if needed)
Format: 20 multiple-choice questions covering all 8 weeks of content
Scoring: Automatic — results stored for later comparison
Reassurance: Emphasize this is NOT a grade — it's okay to not know answers. That's why they're taking the course!

Week 1: VA Online Services & Course Introduction

🎯 Learning Objectives

Welcome & Ice Breaker Warm-Up

Course Overview & Objectives Lecture

Pre-Test Assessment Assessment

VA.gov & ID.me Overview Presentation

Break Break

MyHealtheVet Deep Dive Presentation

Hands-On Practice Practice

VA Safety & Show What You Found Evaluation

Wrap-Up & Take-Home Challenge Application

📝 Instructor Notes

🏛️ Key VA Websites to Cover

📦 Materials Checklist

Handouts (Print)

Technology

Preparation

💬 Discussion Questions

✅ Tips for Success

📊 Pre-Test Notes

🔮 Looking Ahead: Week 2