What is Digital Literacy?
UNESCO describes digital literacy as "the ability to access, manage, understand, integrate, communicate, evaluate and create information safely and appropriately through digital technologies for employment, decent jobs and entrepreneurship."
Digital literacy ranges from simply typing a document, creating a presentation, and doing calculations on a computer to using online systems and databases, finding complex information online from authoritative sources, and communicating and collaborating with others online safely.
In this age, you will need to be digitally literate at home, while studying at university, and in your workplace. You cannot progress in your job without being good at using computers and online systems (not phones and apps). Being digitally literate is one of the ways to survive in the increasingly competitive job market and it is also one of the graduate employability skills you have to acquire during your degree studies.
You can improve your digital literacy skills before you graduate:
- Book Microsoft Office applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel) training with us using the link below
- Book a Library Induction and/or an Academic Research skills session with us
- Contact Digital Coaches on the fourth floor of the Campus for IT training
- Complete free LinkedIn Learning courses before you graduate
Microsoft Word
Here you will find an Unformatted Document to practice with Digital literacy - Unformatted document.
Here is the Formatted document, try to get the document to look like this Digital literacy - Formatted document.
Use these step by step instructions in order to get there Digital Literacy - Assignment formatting instructions.
Microsoft PowerPoint
Use this guide to boost your confidence using PowerPoint: PowerPoint Guide
Here is a Powerpoint task sheet to test your PowerPoint knowledge: PowerPoint Practice Tasks
Microsoft Excel
Here is a sample Excel file Digital Literacy - Sample Excel file.
Use these step by step instructions in order to get there Digital Literacy - Excel file instructions.
LinkedIn Learning
We support your continuous learning and development and hope you will find that LinkedIn Learning is one such resource that can positively contribute to your ongoing learning. With LinkedIn Learning, you will now receive:
- Unlimited access to learning for your personal and professional development. Choose from more than 6,000 video tutorials covering business, creative and technology topics.
- Personalised recommendations. Explore the most in-demand skills based on your experience and programme at the University.
- Expert instructors. Learn from industry leaders, all in one place.
- Convenient learning. Access courses on your schedule, from any desktop or mobile device.
- Helpful resources.
For a great overview, watch the How to Use LinkedIn Learning course.
For further information on how to use LinkedIn Learning, please take a look at the How To Use LinkedIn Learning guide.
For training on Microsoft Office 365, please visit the University’s recommended collection.
If you have problems accessing your account, please contact raise a ticket on the TechGuru Service Desk.
Digital Coaches
The digital coaches are a passionate team of your fellow classmates, friends, and students at the University of Sunderland in London. They are here to support you and make your digital experience smoother. They assist with anything related to the virtual learning environment (VLE) navigation, ranging from Canvas, MS Teams, Compass, E:vision, SharePoint, and more.
For more information on digital coaches please see their SharePoint page.
Contact them if you need support.