Basic Digital Skills:
Digital skills are
broadly defined as those needed to “use digital devices, communication
applications, and networks to access and manage information,” in UNESCO’s terms.
Digital skills are
defined as a range of abilities to use digital devices, communication
applications, and networks to access and manage information. They enable people
to create and share digital content, communicate and collaborate, and solve
problems for effective and creative self-fulfillment in life, learning, work,
and social activities at large (UNESCO, 2018).
Entry-level digital
skills, meaning basic functional skills required to make basic use of digital
devices and online applications, are widely considered a critical component of
a new set of literacy skills in the digital era, with traditional reading,
writing, and numeracy skills (UNESCO, 2018).
This covers a huge
range and variety of skills, of course. There are different tiers of digital
skills. At the bottom, we have what the UK Department for Education (DfE) calls
“digital foundation skills”.
These are the basic
digital skills that will be second nature to Millennials and Generation Z
digital natives, though which may have to be learned by older generations.
A framework written
up by the DfE alongside Accenture and other organisations outlines these basic
digital skills under six areas. These are then subdivided into skills for life
and additional skills for work.
These are:
- Digital foundation skills –
the fundamentals of being able to use digital technologies, such as using
a browser, connecting to the internet, and keeping passwords secure.
- Communicating –
sending emails securely, using attachments, and participating on social media.
- Handling information and
content – using search engines, being aware that
not all online content is reliable, accessing content across devices.
- Transacting –
setting up accounts to use or purchase goods/services online, using
different secure payment methods, filling in online forms.
- Problem-solving –
finding solutions to problems using FAQs/tutorials/chat, presenting
solutions through software, and improving productivity.
- Being safe and legal online –
understanding best practice in data storage/sharing, updating and keeping
passwords secure, and taking precautions against viruses.
These are defined as
the basic digital skills needed in a day-to-day professional or personal
context. They will be enough for many working in traditional workplaces which
have adopted digital systems to improve efficiency, security, and connectivity
(FutureLearn).
Digital Skills Critical for Jobs and Social Inclusion
The Complete Guide to Digital Skills
Essential Digital Skills Framework
The Comprehensive List of Digital Skills Students Need
Activities
Applied Digital Skills with Google
2. Learning
3. Free Digital Upgrade Courses
4. Upskilling
No comments:
Post a Comment