Was is digital fitness?

By Anders Skov, internet sociologist, 2016 Center for Digital Dannelse. Edited by VITO 2019 to fit the framework of Digital Fit.

More than instrumental skills.

The European Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (also known as “DIGCOMP”) provides a tool to improve citizens’ digital competences.

Initially, the framework was primarily focused on measuring “access to” and “use of” digital technology rather than broader digital competences. Managing basic digital tools and online platforms is only a first step towards more advanced digital competences.”

The development of digital competences goes beyond the growth in instrumental skills regarding the use of technology. The growth to more productive, communicative and critical competencies is also essential in this context. That is why, in addition to the use of technology, broader competences have been added to the framework. The translation to the specific work context and the addition of the “Digital Leadership” competence enrich this framework and show that the reference model can also be applied within a working environment.

More than large-scale consumption or use

Although the use of computers, mobile phones or smartphones and the use of the internet is increasing among people, this does not mean that people continue to develop their skills or experience the benefits of this in all aspects of their lives. Research shows that the use of computers, smartphones and the internet only contributes to digital skills at an operational level.

Higher cognitive competencies for critical searches and the selection of information is not the consequence of an increasing use of technology.

Users often maintain their basic level and use only a limited number of specific applications or do not use all the possibilities.

Lifelong learning

With this research in mind, a large-scale EU research project was set up. Digital competences were recognized by the European Commission as one of the eight key competences for lifelong learning.

The research behind this definition forms the theoretical basis of the Digital Competence Wheel.

Mapping digital competences

We describe some methodological and theoretical aspects that were taken into account.

There are different perceptions, depending on the context in which a person functions, in terms of digital competences. It is not easy to define a global or common definition. The reason for this is the continuous and rapid development of technology that gives rise to new activities and objectives in the field of the use of technology. Digital literacy' is often referred to as 'digital literacy'. But what does this mean in a work context?

There are two important approaches in the big amount of terms and definitions.

A) A higher conceptual level, the description of topics at an abstract level, this ensures that the terms remain unchanging in the case of technological change.

B) To identify the specific and essential knowledge, skills and attitudes that can be used to map the capacities of people and to initiate learning journeys.

We have opted for the second approach in the Digital Competence Wheel, because it provides methodological support for the higher goal, namely ensuring that employees stay up-to-date and can build a sustainable career.

To further concretize this in a development tool (inventory) , in line with the current range of development activities, the Digital Curriculum was added.

Here, the more technical competences and learning needs are mapped out as the basis for the personal “digital” development plan.

DIGITAL SKILLS OVERLAP DIFFERENT LIFE SPHERES

The measurable components of digital competences must be broad and varied enough to include the advantages and disadvantages of digital competences for the different circles of life, regardless of what they are for an employee, citizen, or consumer.

In the digital context, these spheres of life overlap to the point that it is no longer logical to separate them.

The instrumental skills and applications can clearly vary between work and leisure, but the basic attitudes, strategies, ethics and knowledge about digital information, communication, production and safety overlap .

At the same time, this means that the digital competencies that are learned and used in one life circle largely apply to another.

The less good news is that this also applies to “less good” habits. When there are a limited number of digital skills, this often overlaps with the different spheres of life.

5 Digital Competence areas

Digital competence includes different learning domains.”

To map the digital competences, it is necessary to see which building blocks the concept consists of.

We summarize digital competences as the capacity to combine knowledge, skills and attitudes in a suitable way in a digital context.

Digital competencies are divided into the following domains:

1) Instrumental skills to solve tasks or problems via digital tools and media.

2) Knowledge: a collection of facts, theory and principles related to the work or academic background.

3) Attitudes towards technology and digital applications that deal with strategic use, transparency, critical thinking, creativity, responsibility and independence. The attitude is often the motivator to take specific actions.

The purpose of this distinction in digital competencies is to emphasize that strong digital competences do not simply follow from the increased use of digital technology.

For example, there is also a “higher” cognitive functioning (for example, critical searching and selection of information). All this is expressed in the Digital Competence Wheel.

5 Digital competence areas

1. COMPETENCE DOMAIN DIGITAL INFORMATION:

Ability to identify, locate, retrieve, store, organize and analyze digital information and judge relevance and purpose”.”.

This competence domain consists of 4 different competences:

-STORAGE: Ability to format, organize and store digital material while keeping both security and accessibility in mind

-SEARCHING INFORMATION: Ability to search and find digital information, navigate between many online resources and filter irrelevant information

-CRITICAL EVALUATION: Ability to process, understand and critically evaluate digital information sent and received.

-SELF-SERVICE: Ability and desire to seek out and benefit from self-service solutions online

2. COMPETENCE DOMAIN DIGITAL COMMUNICATION:

“Ability to communicate, collaborate, interact with and participate in virtual teams and networks as well as make use of appropriate media, tone and behavior”.”

This competence domain consists of 4 different competences:

ACTIVE PARTICIPATION: Skill to use, to express opinions or to contribute actively in another way, to make yourself visible in digital environments

COLLABORATION: Ability to use technologies and media for teamwork, coordination and collaboration processes

SOCIAL AWARENESS: Ability to reconcile behavior, tone, language and technology with regard to context and social relations

Media Choice: Ability to use different digital platforms and choose the best media to communicate with a particular recipient or group.

3. COMPETENCE DOMAIN DIGITAL PRODUCTION:

Ability to create, configure, adapt, solve digital problems and discover new ways to make use of technology.

This competence domain consists of 4 different competences:”

CREATING AND SHARING: Ability to create, assemble parts and modify content in many different formats. Eg. images, text, video or sound

DIGITAL EXPLORATION: Ability and willingness to stay updated with technological developments and explore new digital opportunities.”.

AUTOMATISATION: Ability to adapt solutions or create solutions that automate a task.”

CONFIGURATION: Ability to adjust applications and devices to their own personal preferences, as well as to solve technical problems or tasks.

4. COMPETENCE DOMAIN DIGITAL SAFETY:

Ability to use digital technology safely and sustainably, taking into account the use of data, one’s own identity, one’s own health and paying attention to legal consequences, rights and obligations.

This competence domain consists of 4 different competences.

LAW: Knowledge about current laws and licenses for digital behavior, information and content

IDENTITY MANAGEMENT: Ability to monitor and protect your personal information online and understand the consequences of personal digital footprints.”

DATA PROTECTION: Skill to identify and protect sensitive information and to understand the risks

HEALTH: Skill to take care of one’s own physical and mental health in daily life, when you are constantly surrounded by technology and media

5. Competence domain Digital Leadership:

Ability to show innovative working behavior and self-leadership in the use of digital technology.

This competence domain consists of 2 competencies

The skills to create new ideas. The intrinsic motivation to innovate using technology or to contribute to new digital solutions. The critical ability to demonstrate what is needed to get the job done.”.

SELF LEADERSHIP- The attitude to take your digital development in your own hands, motivating yourself to use technology, to deal with frustrations and to reward yourself in your growth using new technology.”.

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