Certificate in Applied Digital Technologies, AI & Software Development
72- HOUR CERTIFICATE PROGRAMME
Certificate in Applied Digital Technologies, AI & Software Development
Foundation – level programme for school leavers, university students, working professionals and lifelong learners
Digital Productivity | AI | Coding| Data| Design| Networking | Emerging Technologies
DURATION
72 Hours | LEVEL
Foundation / Overview | AUDIENCE
O/L, A/L, University & Working Crowd | MODE
Practical + Portfolio |
COURSE OVERVIEW
Programme Positioning
The Certificate in Applied Digital Technologies, AI & Software Development is a 72-hour foundation-level course designed to introduce learners to the most important digital skills required for study, work, business and future careers. The programme provides a high-level practical overview rather than deep specialization, making it suitable for school leavers, university students, working professionals and any beginner learner.
Learners will explore productivity tools, AI tools, collaboration platforms, computing and networking basics, digital logic, graphic design, programming, software development concepts, data analytics, business intelligence and emerging technologies.
Target Learners
| Course Objectives
|
Course Comprtancy Map
Digital Productivity Microsoft 365, documents, spreadsheets, presentations and cloud storage | AI & Automation Awareness AI tools, prompting, responsible use and daily productivity support | Collaboration & Communication Online teamwork, meeting tools, file sharing and task coordination |
Technical Foundations Hardware, software, networking, number systems and logic gates | Coding, Data & BI Programming, Python, web/mobile concepts, SQL, analytics and dashboards | Design & Innovation Graphic design, digital content creation and emerging technology trends |
72-HOUR MODULE STRUCTURE
Module and Hour Allocation
The following structure keeps each area at a high-level overview while still giving learners practical exposure through mini tasks, demonstrations and guided activities.
No. | Module | Hours | High-Level Focus |
01 |
Digital Productivity with Microsoft 365 |
8 | Microsoft 365 apps, cloud files, documents, spreadsheets and presentations |
02 | AI Tools for Smart Daily Productivity | 6 | AI basics, prompt writing, responsible AI and productivity use cases |
03 | Digital Collaboration and Team Communication |
4 | Online meetings, shared documents, task tools and communication etiquette |
04 |
Computing & Networking Fundamentals |
8 | Hardware, software, operating systems, networks and cyber safety basics |
05 | Number Systems, Boolean Logic and Logic Gates |
6 | Binary, decimal, hexadecimal, Boolean logic and basic gate operations |
06 | Graphic Design and Digital Content Creation |
6 | Design principles, Canva-style design, branding, social media and print formats |
07 |
Programming Fundamentals |
8 | Algorithms, flowcharts, pseudocode, variables, conditions, loops and functions |
08 | Python-Based Software Development: Web, Mobile and SQL | 12 | Python basics, web/mobile concepts, database concepts and basic SQL |
09 |
GitHub & Version Control Essentials |
4 | Repositories, commits, branches, README files and project portfolio upload |
10 | Data Analytics & Business Intelligence Essentials |
6 | Statistics, Excel analysis, dashboards, KPIs and Power BI overview |
11 | Emerging Technologies and Future Digital Trends |
4 | AI, IoT, cloud, cybersecurity, blockchain, AR/VR, robotics and careers |
| Total Guided Learning Hours | 72 | Foundation-level overview with practical tasks |
Recommended Delivery Approach
- Use short concept explanations followed by demonstrations and guided practical activities.
- Avoid heavy theory, keep each topic practical, visual and related to real study/work
- Allow mixed-age learners to complete activities at different difficulty
- Build one final digital portfolio instead of using only a written
DETAILED MODULE CONTENT
Module Content Outline
Each module below is structured with a clear purpose, key content, practical activities and a learner-friendly outcome. The content is intentionally designed as a broad overview suitable for beginners.
Stage 2
DURATION- (18 Hours)
Each module below is structured with a clear purpose, key content, practical activities and a learner-friendly outcome. The content is intentionally designed as a broad overview suitable for beginners.
Module 01: Digital Productivity with Microsoft 365 | 8 Hours | |
Purpose | Build essential productivity skills for academic, office and personal tasks using Microsoft 365 applications. |
Key Content | · Microsoft 365 overview and licensed user access · Word for professional documents and CVs · Excel for formulas, tables, charts and simple data handling · PowerPoint for presentations · Outlook, OneDrive, Forms and Copilot awareness |
Practical Activities | · Create a CV or formal letter in Word · Create a simple budget or marksheet in Excel · Design a short PowerPoint presentation · Create a simple online form and share a file |
Learning Outcome | Learners can use Microsoft 365 tools confidently for study, work and digital productivity. |
Module 02: AI Tools for Smart Daily Productivity | 6 Hours | |
Purpose | Introduce AI tools as assistants for learning, writing, planning, designing, research and daily work. |
Key Content | · What AI and generative AI mean · Prompt writing basics · AI for emails, reports, summaries and presentations · AI for study plans, work plans and idea generation · Responsible AI: privacy, accuracy, plagiarism and bias |
Practical Activities | · Write prompts for common daily tasks · Summarize and improve a sample paragraph · Generate a study or work plan · Compare weak and strong prompts |
Learning Outcome | Learners can use AI tools responsibly to improve productivity without blindly depending on them. |
Module 03: Digital Collaboration and Team Communication | 4 Hours | |
Purpose | Develop online teamwork skills needed for group projects, office communication and remote collaboration. |
Key Content | · Microsoft Teams, Zoom and Google Meet overview · Shared folders, file permissions and cloud collaboration · Task tools such as Planner, Trello or Notion · Online meeting etiquette and digital communication manners |
Practical Activities | · Create a shared folder · Run a mock online meeting · Assign tasks in a simple planner · Prepare a small group presentation |
Learning Outcome | Learners can communicate and collaborate professionally in digital environments. |
Module 04: Computing & Networking Fundamentals | 8 Hours | |
Purpose | Provide a foundation understanding of computer systems, software, hardware, networks and safe technology use. |
Key Content | · Computer system overview · Hardware: CPU, RAM, storage, motherboard and input/output devices · Software types and operating systems · LAN, WAN, Wi-Fi, internet and intranet · Routers, switches, modems, servers, access points and cables · IP address, DNS, browsers and basic cyber safety |
Practical Activities | · Identify computer hardware parts · Compare different software types · Draw a simple home or office network · Discuss safe browsing and password practices |
Learning Outcome | Learners understand how computers and basic networks operate in everyday digital environments. |
Module 05: Number Systems, Boolean Logic and Logic Gates | 6 Hours | |
Purpose | Introduce the basic logic used inside computers and digital systems in a simple beginner-friendly way. |
Key Content | · Why computers use binary · Decimal, binary and hexadecimal number systems · Bits, bytes and simple conversions · Boolean logic · AND, OR, NOT, NAND, NOR and XOR gates · Truth tables and simple logic operations |
Practical Activities | · Convert small decimal numbers to binary · Complete basic truth tables · Solve simple logic gate output questions · Complete a small logic puzzle |
Learning Outcome | Learners understand the mathematical and logical foundation behind digital computing. |
Module 06: Graphic Design and Digital Content Creation | 6 Hours | |
Purpose | Help learners create attractive digital materials for academic, business and social media purposes. |
Key Content | · Design principles: alignment, contrast, balance and spacing · Colour selection, typography and layout · Image formats: JPG, PNG, SVG and PDF · Posters, flyers, banners and social media posts · Canva-style design workflow · Copyright and ethical image use |
Practical Activities | · Design a social media post · Create a course or business flyer · Prepare a simple brand/logo concept · Export designs in suitable formats |
Learning Outcome | Learners can create basic professional digital content for personal, academic and business use. |
Module 07: Programming Fundamentals | 8 Hours | |
Purpose | Build logical thinking and introduce the foundation concepts required before learning software development. |
Key Content | · What programming is and how software is created · Algorithms, flowcharts and pseudocode · Variables, data types, input and output · Operators and expressions · Conditions, loops and functions · Beginner debugging and problem solving |
Practical Activities | · Write simple pseudocode · Draw flowcharts for daily problems · Create small Python logic examples · Build a simple calculator logic |
Learning Outcome | Learners understand programming logic and can solve simple problems using structured thinking. |
Module 08: Python-Based Software Development: Web, Mobile and SQL | 12 Hours | |
Purpose | Provide a high-level practical introduction to how modern applications are planned, built and connected to data. |
Key Content | · Python syntax basics: variables, conditions, loops, lists and functions · Web development overview: HTML, CSS, JavaScript, frontend and backend · Mobile app development concepts: native, hybrid and responsive design · Database concepts: tables, records, primary keys and relationships · Basic SQL: SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE and DELETE · Mini software project planning with wireframes and flowcharts |
Practical Activities | · Create simple Python programs · Build a basic HTML/CSS webpage · Write beginner SQL queries · Design a small app idea with a wireframe · Explain how an app connects to a database |
Learning Outcome | Learners understand how software, websites, mobile apps and databases connect at a foundation level. |
Module 09: GitHub & Version Control Essentials | 4 Hours | |
Purpose | Teach learners how developers save, track, share and present project work professionally. |
Key Content | · What version control means · Git and GitHub overview · Repositories, commits, branches and pull requests · README file basics · Uploading projects to GitHub · GitHub as a student or professional portfolio |
Practical Activities | · Create a GitHub account · Create a repository · Upload a simple project · Add a README file · Make a basic commit |
Learning Outcome | Learners can use GitHub to store and present their practical work. |
Module 10: Data Analytics & Business Intelligence Essentials | 6 Hours | |
Purpose | Introduce learners to data, simple statistics, dashboards and data-driven decision making. |
Key Content | · What data is and why it matters · Types of data and basic data cleaning · Mean, median, mode, percentage and range · Excel charts, sorting, filtering and simple dashboards · Business Intelligence, KPIs and reports · Power BI overview and dashboard thinking |
Practical Activities | · Analyze a small dataset in Excel · Create charts and identify trends · Build a simple dashboard layout · Present 3-5 insights from data |
Learning Outcome | Learners can organize data, create simple visuals and explain insights for decisions. |
Module 11: Emerging Technologies and Future Digital Trends | 4 Hours | |
Purpose | Expose learners to modern technologies and future career directions in the digital world. |
Key Content | · AI and automation · Internet of Things · Cloud computing and cybersecurity · Blockchain and digital trust · AR/VR, robotics and smart systems · Green technology, smart cities and future job roles |
Practical Activities | · Match technologies with real-world examples · Discuss how technology solves a problem · Create a short future-tech idea proposal · Present one emerging technology use case |
Learning Outcome | Learners can identify key emerging technologies and explain how they are used in the real world. |
ASSESSMENT & FINAL PROJECT
Recommended Assessment Plan
Because this is a high-level certificate programme, the assessment should be practical and portfolio-based. A difficult theory-only exam is not recommended for this mixed learner group.
Assessment Component | Marks | Evidence / Output |
Microsoft 365 practical task | 15 | Document, spreadsheet or presentation |
AI productivity task | 10 | Prompt output with reflection |
Graphic design task | 10 | Poster, flyer or social media design |
Programming / Python basic task | 15 | Small working program or logic task |
SQL / data analytics dashboard task | 15 | Dataset analysis and chart/dashboard |
GitHub project upload | 10 | Repository with README |
Final mini project presentation | 25 | Digital portfolio presentation |
Total | 100 | Practical and portfolio-based assessment |
Final Mini Project: My Digital Skills Portfolio
Each learner creates a simple portfolio that combines outputs from the full certificate programme. The final project allows learners from different backgrounds and age groups to demonstrate their skills at a suitable level.
Portfolio May Include
| Final Submission May Include
|
Suggested Tools and Resources
Productivity
| AI & Collaboration
| Coding & Data
| Design & Portfolio
|
Course Locations
Kandy Branch
337/1 Katugastota Road, Kandy
(Mawilmada Junction – 1st Floor, Pizza Hut Building)
Negombo Branch:
12, Thaladuwa First Lane, Negombo
(Behind the Negombo Central Bus Stand)