WELCOME TO ISSUE 5 OF THE DIGITAL SKILLS NEWSLETTER

In this issue we will be focusing on the theme 'Developing digital capability'. We will take a look at what we mean by 'digital capability', discuss the ways in which you can start developing your digital capability, and highlight a number of resources freely available for you to explore.

We hope you enjoyed reading our student issue, released in September 2019. If you haven't had a chance to browse through it yet, you can find links to all issues on our website.

As always, we appreciate your feedback. If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact us at is.skills@ed.ac.uk.

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WHAT IS DIGITAL CAPABILITY?

Technology is prevalent in nearly all aspects of life. Communicating, finding information, shopping, navigating, and solving problems are all examples of activities that are increasingly facilitated by digital tools. Moreover, organisations are increasingly expecting more from employees and applicants in terms of digital skills. This is why developing what we call 'digital capability' is so important.

Being competent with technology - or having digital capability - means much more than simply being able to use a computer. In addition to the skills required to use devices, applications and software, the term 'digital capability' is used to describe the attitudes and behaviours individuals need in order to thrive in today's digital world. Digital capability allows us to interact with technology effectively, appropriately and safely in different situations.

Digital capability can be understood at an individual level and at an organisational level. At an individual level, digital capability equips us to live, learn and work in a digital society. At an organisational level, we look beyond the capabilities of individuals and consider how the culture and

infrastructure of the organisation enables and motivates digital practices. In this issue of the Digital Skills Newsletter we focus on individual digital capability.

Aligned with the definitions created by Jisc, we divide individual digital capability into the following six elements:

1. Digital Proficiency and Productivity - The ability to confidently use digital devices, applications, services and tools to carry out tasks effectively and productively, with attention to quality.

2. Information, Data and Media Literacy - The ability to find, evaluate, manage and share digital information and data, and critically receive and respond to messages in a range of digital media.

3. Digital Communication, Collaboration and Participation - The capacity to communicate effectively in digital media and spaces, participate in digital teams and working groups, and build digital networks.

4. Digital Creation, Problem Solving and Innovation - The ability to design and create new digital content, use digital evidence to solve problems and answer questions, and adopt and develop new practices with digital technology.

5. Digital Identity and Wellbeing - The ability to develop and project a positive digital identity and to manage digital reputation, as well as look after personal health, safety, relationships and work-life balance in digital settings.

6. Digital Learning, Development and Teaching - The capacity to participate in and benefit from digital learning opportunities, as well as supporting and developing others in digitally rich settings.

All of our training resources fall into one or more of the elements outlined above. You can start learning more about the six capabilities by taking a look at our Digital Skills Toolkits.

DEVELOPING DIGITAL CAPABILITY WITH THE DIGITAL SKILLS FRAMEWORK

Evaluating your current level of digital capability, or knowing where to start building on it can feel a little overwhelming. Our Digital Skills Framework has been designed to help steer you in the right direction.

The Framework is intended to be used as a three-step process:

1. Evaluate your current levels of digital capability with the Discovery Tool - a self-assessment questionnaire based around the six digital capabilities - to analyse your strengths and identify areas for improvement.

2. Compare your results to the appropriate Role Profile. The Role Profiles highlight the digital capabilities and specific digital skills associated with particular staff and student roles. This will help you reflect on your results and prioritise your development goals.

3. Find digital skills development resources to improve your digital capability. To make this easy, the Framework includes a comprehensive Resource Finder with over 600 digital skills development resources in a variety of formats. You can search the Resource Finder for specific subjects or filter by delivery method, difficulty level, role, or digital capability.

In December 2019 we are launching the Structured Learning section of the Framework, which offers a holistic approach to developing your digital skills by setting out a learning pathway for each of the six digital capabilities in the Jisc Digital Capabilities model. You can work through all six to develop a

broad range of digital skills, or take a deep dive into one or two to focus on areas of particular interest or relevance. Learning pathways are suitable for both students and staff across a range of roles.

Learning pathways make it easier to plan your development and bring structure to your learning. Each path begins with an optional introductory classroom-based workshop where you can explore the digital capability and gain a better understanding of it before progressing through two online development toolkits offering resources at beginner and advanced levels. Workshops run regularly, so you can start at any time, or you can jump straight to the toolkits if you prefer.

Pathways are flexible and designed in a way that allows you to choose in which elements you want to participate according to your needs, learning preferences and goals. You can take as long as you like to complete your learning, and obtain a digital badge for completing four of the advanced learning options.

Visit the Digital Skills Framework.

If you would like to include your digital skills development resource in the Digital Skills Framework, please use the submission form on our website.

SPOTLIGHT ON A DIGITAL CAPABILITY: DIGITAL CREATION, PROBLEM SOLVING AND INNOVATION

Digital Creation, Problem Solving and Innovation is the ability to design and create new digital content, use digital evidence to solve problems, and adopt and develop new practices with digital technology. The Digital Skills Framework includes over 100 resources to help you develop this capability. Here are some of our favourites:

Digital Skills Workshop: Digital Creation, Problem Solving and Innovation - This fun and interactive workshop is designed to help you analyse and understand the Digital Creation, Problem Solving and Innovation capability, think about its application to your work and life, and investigate ways in which you can develop your skills around it. Book a place.

Gif It Up - Introduction to Gif Making - This introductory workshop guides you through the steps of creating your own gifs using images and materials from University of Edinburgh museum, library and archival materials. You will be provided with open images and guided through the different steps available to alter, stitch together, add special effects, and turn these images into gifs. Book a place.

DIY Film School - Mobile film making is a form of new media storytelling where content creators use smart phones and devices to gather, edit and distribute video content. The DIY Film School aims to promote the uptake of mobile filmmaking and demystify and democratise the media production process, providing essential tips on how to make engaging mobile content and introducing the mobile film making kit available to you. Book a place.

Designing a Digital Magazine using InDesign - Designing for a digital magazine is similar to designing for a print magazine, but there are additional choices that you need to consider. Interactivity is important, but making it easy to read and navigate is even more critical. This LinkedIn Learning course covers how to use InDesign's digital publishing toolset to create a magazine for the iPad. Access the course.

Creating Accessible Materials - Whatever you create, it is important to ensure the accessibility of your online and printed materials. The University has plenty of guidance available regarding different

forms of content, from using alternative formats to ensuring your Word documents and PDFs are accessible to as many users as possible. Accessibility guidance.

CREATING A POSITIVE DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

A digital footprint is defined as 'your unique set of digital activities, actions and communications that leave a trace on the internet' (Dictionary.com). Your digital footprint is part of your digital behaviour, and forms a part of the Digital Identity and Wellbeing capability. Your digital footprint may be active or passive, private or public, and created by you or others.

Your digital footprint is an important part of your personal reputation. If you apply for a job, employers may look at your digital footprint as part of the recruitment process. Acquaintances and colleagues may see it. You may also be working or studying in a field where the way you behave online is covered by a professional code of conduct.

The first step towards projecting a positive digital footprint is to inspect your current footprint by Googling yourself. Once you know what is out there, you can decide if it fits with the identity that you want to project, and take steps to add positive traces and, if necessary, hide negative ones.

We recommend these resources if you want to learn more about managing your digital footprint:

Digital Footprint MOOC - This 3-week online course allows you to explore and reflect on your own online tracks and traces, to understand why your digital footprint is important. You will be introduced to some of the tools and approaches to effectively manage your online presence (or digital footprint). More information.

Digital Footprint - Part of LinkedIn Learning's Digital Citizenship course, this chapter talks you through the concept of digital footprint, and provides practical guidance on how to create a positive digital footprint. Access the course.

Digital Skills Workshop: Digital Identity and Wellbeing - This interactive session is designed to help you understand the capability, including looking at digital footprints and mobile security. You will also learn about the importance of digital wellbeing. Book a place.

DIGITAL SKILLS AT THE JISC BUILDING DIGITAL CAPABILITY COMMUNITY OF PRACTICE EVENT

On the 27th November 2019 the University of Edinburgh co-hosted the Jisc Developing Digital Capability Community of Practice event. These types of events are an important part of our annual agenda, and a great opportunity for us to learn and share best practices around digital capability development.

Gavin McLachlan (Vice-Principal and Chief Information Officer, and Librarian to the University) delivered a well-received keynote on digital transformation and the steps we have taken at the University to become an increasingly digital organisation, with digital skills development being one of the cornerstones. The Head of Digital Skills and Training, Jenni Houston, contributed to the keynote by highlighting the success of our Developing Your Data Skills programme - a six month blended learning programme aimed at staff and students with varying levels of data skills. Finally, Stephen Roy (Digital Transformation Programme Manager) illustrated the digital maturity work he has recently undertaken.

We also heard from a number of practitioners in other universities about their approach to delivering digital skills to students and staff. From playful learning to digital wellbeing, we are bursting with ideas for 2020. Watch this space!

We hope you enjoyed this issue of the Digital Skills Newsletter. Keep an eye out for the next issue due to be released in January. If you no longer want to receive the Digital Skills Newsletter, find out how to unsubscribe from the mailing list.

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