• Introduction

    "By digital literacy we mean those capabilities which fit an individual for living, learning and working in a digital society".

    This course is for students at a transition stage between college and university/employment. It focuses on: identity, behaviour and practice. You can assess your own digital literacy and use this self-awareness to your advantage.

  • 1. Digital literacy introduction

    What is Digital Literacy banner

    The aim of this course is to help you develop the skills you need to succeed in the digital world. This introductory topic gives you an outline of what's ahead and helps you to set targets to improve your own level of digital literacy skills.

    • Digital attributes and skills you can gain:

      • You recognise the importance of digital literacy skills in everyday life;
      • You can explain the changes brought about by the ‘digital revolution’ of the 1980s;
      • You recognise how the development of digital skills can help them with progression to employment;
      • You can describe some of the advantages that being a informed expert user of digital technologies have for a student;
      • You can begin to assess own level of digital literacy skills.
    • Start with this introductory lesson to explore the topic of Digital Literacy.

    • This activity is also about SELF-AWARENESS and DECISION-MAKING. Download and print out the Open University Digital Literacy Skills Checklist. Tick the box that best describes you - 'very confident', 'quite confident' or 'not confident' - for each of the skills. Decide the targets you want to set yourself to improve your digital literacy skills.

  • 2. Digital identity

    Digital Identity banner

    Understand that all your actions online potentially leave a trail. In this topic, you will explore your own digital identity and learn ways to build a positive profile online. Employers and university admissions tutors will probably look at your digital identity when you apply for a job or a university place, so it's important that you learn to manage it from the outset.

    • Digital attributes and skills you can gain:

      • You can explain what happens to information you put online (your digital footprint);
      • You can present yourself online and project a positive self-image;
      • You recognise the importance of a strong password to protect identity;
      • You recognise the importance of email addresses as unique identifiers;
      • You can explain why identity data is collected by some organisations;
      • You recognise how identity data can also be collected for identity theft;
      • You can manage multiple identities online.
    • Start with this lesson to explore the topic of Digital Identity.
    • DO: Managing your online presence URL
      Work your way through this exercise on the University of Southampton website to reinforce your understanding of this topic so far.
    • THINK: Include your digital literacy skills in your CV Page

      You've seen that a positive digital identity could influence a potential employer or university admissions tutor when they are deciding whether you are suitable for a job or place on a course. You've also started to assess your own digital literacy skills and should now start to think about how you can include those skills in your CV or e-portfolio.

      Remember the advice in Topic 1 to 'think dots' when planning your career. This activity is all about TRANSITION. Use your creative skills to 'market' yourself, this could be by creating a well-designed word-processed CV or a well thought out online blog or website. Just make sure you demonstrate your digital literacy skills.

    • Learn more about Digital Identity by going to:

      • Topic 3: e-Safety
      • Topic 5: Social Media Literacy

  • 3. e-Safety

    e-safety banner

    Advice like "Zip it; Block it; Flag it" is easy to give but harder to follow. In this topic, you will explore the complexity surrounding e-safety and be able to exercise sound judgement when faced with safeguarding issues affecting yourself and others. You'll be able to make more informed choices when going online about who to trust and confidently identify inappropriate or criminal behaviour.

    • Digital attributes and skills you can gain:

      • You are aware of e-safety and ethical online behaviour;
      • You can explain the concept of 'safeguarding' and the responsibility of all to safeguard each other;
      • You can actively participate in online communities with confidence and respect for others;
      • You can demonstrate critical and evaluative skills online;
      • You recognise the type of behaviour that can lead to cyberbullying;
      • You can recognise inappropriate use of social media;
      • You can identify what constitutes e-crime.
    • Start with this lesson to explore the topic of e-Safety.
    • DO: Are you an accidental outlaw? URL
      This is a link to the KnowTheNet website. Take their test to see how you fare against the average online user, pitting your knowledge of the law against nine scenarios you might come across everyday on the web.
    • DO: How much have you remembered about e-safety? Quiz
      When you've explored the issues covered by this topic, have a go at this quiz designed to test your knowledge of e-safety.
    • DISCUSS: How do you stay safe online? Forum

      A digitally literate student can ...

      Communicate with others online through a forum, blog or social networking sites.

      Discussions can cover any topic about e-safety For example 'Should Facebook remove the restriction banning under 13s from using the site?' or 'Does free speech give someone the right to troll a stranger?'

      To complete this activity, you must take part in the discussion by:

      • creating at least 1 discussion;
      • posting at least 1 reply.

    • Learn more about e-Safety by going to:

      • Topic 2: Digital Identity
      • Topic 4: Digital Consumer
      • Topic 5: Social Media Literacy

  • 4. Digital consumer

    Digital Consumer banner

    A detailed study by John Lewis has held a mirror up to our shopping habits in the 21st century, showing we are turning to tablets and mobiles in ever greater numbers to buy online. This topic covers the growing trend of online shopping - including e-safety, online banking, our rights and responsibilities and the role of mobile phones and apps.

    • Digital attributes and skills you can gain:

      • You recognise the characteristics and behaviour of a digital consumer;
      • You are digitally confident when dealing with online money matters;
      • You can practice safe online shopping, online banking and online payment;
      • You recognise the difference between shopping for 'goods' and paying for digital downloads and streaming;
      • You are aware of responsible online behaviour;
      • You understand what is involved when buying a mobile phone;
      • You can identify a range of apps used on a mobile phone.
    • Start with this lesson to explore the topic of Digital Consumerism.
    • DO: Are you a confident digital consumer? Quiz

      This quiz is designed to test your knowledge of the digital consumer topic.

    • DO: Are you in the dark about mobile security? URL
      This is a link to the KnowTheNet website. Take their challenge to test your mobile security knowledge and get advice on how to protect yourself from online threats.
    • DISCUSS: Digital consumerism Forum

      A digitally literate student can ...

      Communicate with others online through a forum, blog or social networking sites.

      Discussions can cover any topic about 'Digital consumerism'. For example 'What is the ultimate in 'digital cool'?' or 'What do you think about 'wearable technology'?'

      To complete this activity, you must take part in the discussion by:

      • creating at least 1 discussion;
      • posting at least 1 reply.

    • Learn more about the Digital Consumer by going to:

      • Topic 2: Digital Identity
      • Topic 3: e-Safety

  • 5. Social media literacy

    Social Media Literacy banner

    To be successful these days, you need to be able to send and receive information through a range of modern media, such as well-established social media and media sharing sites, blogs and wikis. This topic takes a look at the range of popular social media available today and highlights the positive and negative impact that disruptive technology can have on us as individuals and as a society.

    • Digital attributes and skills you can gain:

      • You are aware of e-safety and ethical online behaviour on social media;
      • You can project a positive self-image on social media;
      • You can demonstrate critical and evaluative skills online;
      • You recognise the range of applications/websites that enable users to create and share content on social networking sites;
      • You understand the positive role social media can have to increase participation in community- based projects;
      • You can identify some of the negative effects social media can have.
    • Start with this lesson to explore the topic of Social Media Literacy.
    • DO: Start up a LinkedIn account URL
      You've completed the introductory lesson for this topic and can now begin to improve your social media profile. Remember the advice in Topic 1 to 'think dots' when planning your career. This activity is all about TRANSITION. You've learnt that LinkedIn is used by employers to assess a candidate's suitability for a job. Go to the GCFLearnfree website about LinkedIn Basics and start up your own account.
    • The final challenge is to design a blog page on the dangers of social media you have learned about, and produce a list of tips which will change people’s views on how they interact online. If you haven't created a blog before, you might need to refer to the guidelines that accompany this offline assignment.

    • Learn more about Social Media by going to:

      • Topic 2: Digital Identity
      • Topic 3: e-Safety
      • Topic 4: Digital Consumer

  • 6. Digital student

    Digital Student banner

    You can’t google your way to a GCSE, A Level or Diploma – but your ‘google brain’ can help you, if you use it intelligently. This topic will help you to identify the digital technologies you will encounter in the course of academic study and how, in combination with digital literacy skills, this technology can help you to raise achievement.

    • Digital attributes and skills you can gain:

      • You can describe the digital literacy skills needed for academic study and carry out your own skills assessment;
      • You can create your own personalised learning environment;
      • You recognise the importance of information literacy skills;
      • You can cite a reference to an online resource using the correct format;
      • You can use online tools and websites to find and record information online;
      • You can establish who owns the information and ideas you find online;
      • You can establish what online information you can legally re-use;
      • You can use other people's work (found online) without committing plagiarism.
    • Start with this lesson to explore the topic of Digital Student.
    • DO: Improve your creative skills Book

      A digitally literate student can ...

      Write in different media for others to read on-screen and present information online using their creative skills.

    • DISCUSS: Do you enjoy using digital technology for college work? Forum

      A digitally literate student can ...

      Communicate with others online through a forum, blog or social networking site.

      Discussions can cover any topic about the role of technology in education. For example 'Should students be allowed to use their smartphones in the classroom?' or 'Have you ever followed a teacher on Twitter?'

      To complete this activity, you must take part in the discussion by:

      • creating at least 1 discussion;
      • posting at least 1 reply.

    • Learn more about Digital Student by going to:

      • Topic 7: Practical skills

  • 7. Practical skills

    Practical skills banner

    Digital literacy requires a combination of cognitive skills and technicial ICT skills. This topic differs in format from the other topics on this course as it includes links to a selection of websites offering you free tutorial help to upgrade your ICT skills.

    • Digital attributes and skills you can gain:

      • You can assess your own level of practical ICT skills;
      • You can identify practical ICT skills that need improvement;
      • You have a good level of skill when using MS Office;
      • You have a good level of skill when using an email application;
      • You begin to understand computer coding.
    • CREATE: Hour of Code URL
      Learn how to computer code in 1 hour! Launched in 2013, Code.org® is a non-profit initiative dedicated to expanding participation in computer science.