Steps to Enhance Your Digital Literacy

By: Zara Iftikhar, Seasonal Public Relations Intern | Digital4Good

The world today has become fast paced and digital, something that used to be a luxury in the past has become a necessity. It doesn't matter if you are a professional or a student, digital literacy is a need and a way to obtain opportunities. As Artificial Intelligence is taking over some of the traditional jobs, jobs that require digital literacy are increasing.

This article will guide you through some of the essential steps to be able to boost your digital literacy.

What Exactly Is Digital literacy?

Digital literacy is the ability to effectively navigate, evaluate and create information using digital technology, to do so you need to have different skills such as being able to use digital devices and having real understanding on how to communicate online.

Why is Digital Literacy Important?

In today’s fast moving world there are some factors that make digital literacy a crucial tool. 

• Professional Environment: When moving to a professional environment, they require you to have digital skills and this can enhance the chances of obtaining the job you have applied for, this can also help in future endeavors and bring more opportunities to your doors such as remote and work life balance.
• Access to Information: The internet is a big place filled with tons of information, to be able to look for what you require, digital literacy is an effective way to help you, so evaluating information is easier and the use of the information can be done in a proper way.
• Communication: To be able to communicate in a fast and efficient way, the use of digital tools is preferred, it can make the task easier and less time consuming. 
• Security and Safety: To be able to keep your information safe and secure the need to be literate before using these tools is important, as sensitive information can always be used against the user, for example, in online scams or threats. People usually don’t know what they are sharing, clicking on the “Allow” button is easy and then the person moves on but thinking and knowing where the information is going should be necessary.

How to Enhance Your Digital Literacy

Explore

The easiest way to be able to learn something is to play with it, to just go and try different tools and platforms that pick your interest, regardless of whether it’s your first time using the software, platform or creative tool. Bernard Marr in his article on how to enhance digital literacy, suggests that rather than fearing technology, The approach should be,  “How will this help me do a better job and achieve my personal and professional goals?" Exploring your options will help in gaining versatility and being able to adapt to new experiences. 

Learn Online 

• After playing around with the tools and the softwares, to be able to gain proficiency in them, surfing through the internet would be helpful, as there are many free or paid online courses, tutorials and webinars available. 
• These courses can be found in platforms such as Coursera, Udemy, Linkedin Learning, and Youtube which can help you kickstart your journey and polish your skills.
• There are also forums available in which you can ask questions or seek assistance and advice, these online communities are the best places to share knowledge. 

Practice 

As the usage of these tools are increased the proficiency would increase too, practicing regularly could help in exploration of new features and the more you practice the more you would learn and make mistakes which is an important part of the learning process.

Enhancement of digital literacy is something that will keep on going, because new updates and changes continue coming. The willingness to learn is very important as it will make you capable of using digital tools and make you ready for challenges. 

Digital4Good has courses, trainings and blogs that would help in educating and teaching about digital literacy

For more information, visit our Website, TikTok, Instagram, or Facebook.