Working in a Digital World
The workplace is constantly evolving. The digital space is now a core setting for both work and life. A solid understanding of how to navigate the digital space is an essential skill that is needed in the current world.
As a student you would have encountered the digital space through your learning technologies and systems. See SLIDE for the skills you would have encountered as a student.
When we talk about working in the digital world this is not just being able to use technology but understanding the fundamentals about your interactions with the tech both physically and virtually. As a digital worker you should have the skills to:
Use digital technologies
- Understand the use of technologies in the workplace.
- Identify technologies that can integrate with the workplace.
- Adapt to and use new or different technologies.
- Understand the language and principles of the digital world.
Collaborate digitally
- Use virtual communication technologies to communicate with others
- Choose the best communication tool for each situation
- Adhere to online etiquette when communicating virtually
- Maintains a professional and controlled online profile.
Information use
- Store and organise digital information
- Find meaningful information through digital or online sources.
- Understand the rights behind using information from the internet.
- Use the right type of digital format to display information.
Risk management
- Be able to understand the risk of using new technologies.
- Understand how information is shared and how people have access to digital information
- Being aware of how they interact with people online and their personal eSafety.
Some things that you can try to build your digital literacy are:
Technical skills
- Try teaching someone else a tech skill you already know. If they ask about a function you aren't sure about try exploring it together
- Try troubleshooting tech problems. They don't even have to be your own. Don't worry about not getting the right answer or needing to solve the problem. The exploration will introduce you to new ways of looking at tech problems.
- Discuss problems and technical solutions with others
- Try creating something digitally like video editing, document templates, or a personal budget spreadsheet.
Communication & collaboration
- Explore our Online Communication & Collaboration Module on Digital Essentials
- Get in contact with your lecturers, peers, co-workers online rather than in person. Be sure to practice proper Online Etiquette
- Presenting something using a new app. If you use PowerPoint regularly how about trying to do a video essay or use a different presentation software?
Using information
- Explore our Privacy & Social Media module to understand how your personal data can be spread online
- Explore our Copyright module to get an understanding of how digital information can be used and shared legally and ethically.
- Attend information literacy workshops or read guides on the different types of information that exists and how it gets produced and shared
Risk management & safety
- Explore our eSafety and Digital Citizenship modules on Digital Essentials
- Keep up to date with tech and cyber security news
- Read reviews and documentation on applications before using it in a workplace
- Explore how an application works before applying it to any task
References
Department of Industry, Innovation, Climate Change, Science, Research and Tertiary Education and Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations. (2013). Core skills for work developmental framework. https://www.dese.gov.au/download/6979/core-skills-work-developmental-framework/10899/document/pdf
Coldwell-Neilson, J. (2018). Expert guide: Embedding digital literacy to enhance employability thinking. https://developingemployability.edu.au/tools/expert-guide-embedding-digital-literacy-enhance-employability-thinking/
Coldwell Neilson, J. et al. Implications of Updating Digital Literacy - A Case Study in an Optometric Curriculum.
Reedy, K. & Parker, J. (2017). Digital literacy unpacked. Facet Publishing
Skillsyouneed Digital Skills in the Workplace. https://www.skillsyouneed.com/rhubarb/digital-skills-modern-workplace.html
