Digital Literacy – What is digital literacy?

Summary

This video series, hosted by Sian and Tim, delves into the concept of digital literacy, essential for distance learning students. It covers the definition of digital literacy as possessing the necessary digital skills to achieve goals, and highlights the importance of these skills in academic settings. The series promises to enhance viewers' existing digital skills and introduce new ones, focusing on information search, evaluation, communication with tutors and peers, accessing course materials, and online safety. The script also emphasizes the use of academic institutions' digital platforms for effective learning management.

Takeaways

• 🌐 Digital literacy is defined as having the appropriate digital skills to achieve one's goals.
• 📱 Common digital skills include using a phone for emails and search engines to find answers to questions.
• 📚 The video series aims to develop existing digital skills and introduce new ones for distance learning students.
• 🔎 Searching for information online is a key skill, emphasizing the importance of using the internet as a resource for students.
• 🤔 Evaluating information is crucial; the video will teach how to discern the accuracy and truthfulness of online content.
• 💬 Communication skills are highlighted, with tips on how to effectively communicate digitally with tutors and fellow students.
• 📁 Accessing course materials and submitting work are part of the digital skills necessary for distance learning.
• 🔒 The importance of online safety is underscored, indicating the need for awareness while navigating the digital world.
• 🏛 Most academic institutions provide a private digital platform for students to manage their learning and communicate with educators.
• 📝 The video series will explore various reasons to utilize digital skills, with more details in upcoming videos.
• 🛠️ The script reassures viewers that digital literacy is not daunting, as many necessary skills are already possessed by individuals.

Q & A

What is the main topic of the video series presented by Sian and Tim?

The main topic of the video series is digital literacy and its importance for distance learning students.

What does the term 'digital literacy' refer to in the context of the video?

In the context of the video, 'digital literacy' refers to having the appropriate digital skills to achieve one's goals.

Why is digital literacy important for distance learning students?

Digital literacy is important for distance learning students because it enables them to effectively use digital tools for their studies, such as accessing course materials, communicating with tutors, and submitting work.

What are some common digital skills mentioned in the script that people use in their daily lives?

Some common digital skills mentioned include using a phone to check emails and using a search engine to find answers to questions.

What is the purpose of the series of videos on digital literacy?

The purpose of the series is to help distance learning students develop their existing digital skills and learn new ones to enhance their academic experience.

What are some of the digital skills the series will cover?

The series will cover skills such as searching for information, evaluating the accuracy of online information, keeping in touch with tutors and fellow students, accessing course materials, submitting work, and staying safe online.

Why is it important to evaluate information found on the internet?

It is important to evaluate information found on the internet to ensure its accuracy and truthfulness, as the internet contains a vast amount of information that may not always be reliable.

What tips can the series offer regarding digital communication with tutors and fellow students?

The series will provide top tips on effective digital communication, although specific tips are not detailed in the provided transcript.

How can students access their academic institution's digital platforms?

Students can access their academic institution's digital platforms by logging into their profile on the institution's private platform.

What are some of the functionalities of an academic institution's digital platform as mentioned in the script?

The functionalities include managing learning, communicating with tutors, accessing course materials, and submitting work.

What reassurance does the video offer about the skills needed for digital literacy?

The video reassures viewers that they already possess many of the skills needed for digital literacy, as these skills are commonly used in everyday life.

Outlines

00:00

😀 Introduction to Digital Literacy

The video script introduces the concept of digital literacy with the host, Sian, and her friend Tim, who will guide viewers through various aspects of the subject. They explain that digital literacy involves possessing the necessary digital skills to achieve one's goals, such as using a phone to check emails or a search engine to find answers. The video aims to help distance learning students enhance their existing digital skills and learn new ones. The series will cover topics like searching for information online, evaluating the accuracy of internet sources, communicating digitally with tutors and peers, accessing course materials, submitting work, and staying safe online. The script emphasizes that digital literacy is not something to fear, as many of the required skills are already in use by the audience.

Keywords

💡Digital Literacy

Digital literacy refers to the ability to locate, evaluate, and use information effectively, efficiently, and ethically. In the context of the video, it is the set of skills required to navigate and utilize digital technology for achieving personal or educational goals. The script emphasizes that becoming digitally literate is crucial for distance learning students, as it enables them to manage their learning, communicate with tutors, and access course materials.

💡Distance Learning

Distance learning is an educational method where students receive instruction from a teacher or instructor without being physically present in a classroom. The video script mentions that as a distance learner, one can benefit from developing digital skills, which are essential for accessing course materials, communicating with tutors, and submitting work, all through digital platforms.

💡Digital Skills

Digital skills encompass a range of abilities required to use digital technology, devices, and resources effectively. The script highlights that these skills are necessary for everyday tasks, such as checking emails or using search engines, and are particularly important for distance learners to succeed in their studies.

💡Information Search

Information search is the process of looking for and retrieving data or knowledge from various sources, especially online. The video script discusses the importance of this skill for students, who need to find answers to their questions using the internet as a resource.

💡Evaluating Information

Evaluating information involves assessing the accuracy, reliability, and credibility of the data found online. The script points out the necessity of this skill due to the abundance of information on the internet, which requires careful scrutiny to discern its validity.

💡Communication

Communication in the digital context refers to the exchange of information through digital means, such as email or messaging platforms. The video script provides 'top tips' on how to communicate digitally with tutors and fellow students, which is an essential aspect of distance learning.

💡Academic Institution

An academic institution is an organization, such as a college or university, that provides higher education. The script mentions that most academic institutions have digital platforms for their students to manage learning, communicate with tutors, and submit work, which is integral to the concept of digital literacy.

💡Digital Platforms

Digital platforms are online systems or environments that facilitate various activities, such as learning, communication, and content management. The video script explains that academic institutions provide private digital platforms for students to engage with their coursework and interact with the academic community.

💡Course Materials

Course materials are the educational resources, such as textbooks, lecture notes, and assignments, used in a course of study. The script indicates that accessing course materials is a key part of digital literacy for distance learners, often done through the institution's digital platform.

💡Submit Work

Submitting work refers to the process of delivering assignments, projects, or other academic tasks to an instructor or institution. The video script highlights the importance of knowing how to submit work through digital means, which is a fundamental skill for distance learners.

💡Staying Safe Online

Staying safe online involves taking precautions to protect one's privacy, security, and digital identity while using the internet. The script emphasizes the importance of this aspect of digital literacy, as it is crucial for maintaining personal safety and integrity in the digital environment.

Highlights

Welcome to the series of videos on digital literacy with Sian and Tim.

Digital literacy is essential for distance learning students.

Digital literacy is defined as having the right digital skills to achieve goals.

Many students already possess foundational digital skills.

The series aims to develop and expand on existing digital skills for students.

Students will learn to search for information effectively online.

Evaluating the accuracy and truthfulness of online information is crucial.

Tips on digital communication with tutors and fellow students will be provided.

Accessing course materials and submitting work digitally is part of the curriculum.

The importance of online safety while using digital platforms is emphasized.

Digital skills have various practical applications in students' lives.

Academic institutions provide private digital platforms for student use.

Students can manage their learning, communicate, and submit work through these platforms.

Digital literacy is not to be feared; it is an everyday tool for students.

The series will demystify digital literacy and enhance students' skills.

Transcripts

Hello, and welcome to this

series of videos on digital literacy.

I'm Sian, and together

with my friend Tim,

we are going to look at lots of different aspects

of this subject,

and at how becoming digitally literate

will help you

as a distance learning student.

But first things first:

what do we mean by digital literacy?

Think about the ways we

all use digital technology in our lives.

That could be

using your phone to check emails,

or using a search engine

to find the answer to a question.

We can say that these are digital

skills that we need

to achieve our goals.

So digital literacy means:

having the right

digital skills

to achieve our goals.

And the good news is:

you already have many of the

skills you need!

As a distance learner,

there are lots of digital skills

that can help you with your studies.

This series will

help you develop your existing digital skills

and even help you learn some new ones.

Let's look

at a few of the skills

we will learn about in this series.

Searching for information:

as a student you need

to find answers to your questions, and

online is a great resource.

Evaluating information:

the internet is full of information but we

need to be careful -

is it accurate, or even true?

We will look at how to evaluate the

information you find on the internet.

Keeping in touch with tutors

and fellow students:

stand by for some top tips

on communicating digitally.

We will also be looking at how

you need to access course materials

and submit your work.

And above all:

the importance of

staying safe when you're online.

There are lots of reasons

to use your digital skills,

and we'll look at many of them

in more detail in later videos.

So that's the 'what' and the 'why':

time to take a look

at how we use our digital literacy

skills. An important aspect

of digital literacy for distance learners

is using your academic

institution's digital platforms.

Most institutions

have a private platform for their students.

You have a profile

that you can log in to.

You can use the institution's platform to

manage your learning,

communicate with your tutors,

access course materials and submit

your work.

Sounds like you could be quite busy in there!

So that's what digital literacy

is all about.

Nothing to be afraid of:

we all use digital

tools all the time,

and many of the skills you need,

you already have!

Lucky you!