Develop your digital skills

The importance of digital skills

In today’s digital world, ensuring the University’s staff and students have the necessary digital skills to enable them to thrive is a key priority. Our aim is to create a more efficient and effective working and learning environment.

Jisc Digital Capabilities Framework

We want to ensure the University’s approach is underpinned by a best practice digital framework. We also want to ensure that people are able to use this framework, together with the associated terminology, in a consistent way. For this reason, we have chosen to use the Jisc Digital Capabilities Framework. We believe the six elements and the definitions are really clear and will help us facilitate a joined-up approach at the University.

We are initially using the framework to:

• plan and review staff development by encouraging that framework elements are included in professional development activities for staff 
• structure and signpost development opportunities by mapping our current training provision to the framework
• map digital expertise across different staff roles within a team, department, and the organisation as a whole, identifying gaps and recognising where digital expertise adds value.

Six framework elements

There are 6 elements to the Jisc Digital Capability Framework. You are not expected to be an expert in all of these areas, which is why a conversation between you and your line manager is important when establishing areas for development. 

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 literacies

   The capacity 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 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.

4. 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.

5. Digital learning, development and teaching

   The capacity to participate in and benefit from digital learning opportunities, supporting and developing others in digitally-rich settings.

6. 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.

How to assess your digital skills

You can complete the initial self-assessment to evaluate your current digital skills.