There’s a lot more to this than being able to use certain software. Technology is taking a much bigger role in both our personal and professional lives. 

Jisc’s Digital Capability Framework sets out six main elements of digital capability, which are to be: 

• productive and proficient with ICT
• information, data and media literate
• able to create, research, problem-solve and innovate digitally
• able to communicate, collaborate and participate digitally
• able to learn and develop digitally
• able to manage your digital identity and look after your wellbeing in a digital setting

How can you become more digitally capable?  

These are just some examples of what you can do while you’re at Newcastle.

On your course  

• Learn how to use new software – this could be specialist software used in your field of study, or using new tools to showcase work, such as different forms of presentations etc.
• Use digital resources within research to collect and analyse data and information.
• Keep a digital record of your experiences in NU Reflect.
• Engage with resources, discussions and communities on Canvas and Teams.

Outside of your course  

• Learn or improve digital skills with free programmes such as Barclays Digital Eagles and Google Digital Garage.

• Take advantage of digital study support offered through the library and read their advice on how to spot fake news and how to use social media for research.

• Create a LinkedIn profile to present a professional digital identity to future employers, colleagues or collaborators. Use LinkedIn to engage with groups and discussions which interest you.

• Form a digital mentoring relationship - see Making Contacts to get started.

• Sign up for free online courses to develop digital literacy and IT skills, eg in programming, data science and AI. Try Udacity, FutureLearn, ALISON and Codecademy.

• Find work experience to help you apply existing and learn new digital skills in a professional context.

• Undertake virtual work experience to learn and engage in tasks simulating real-life work, through a digital platform, such as Forage.

• Volunteer for Code Club, a nationwide network of volunteer-led after-school coding clubs for children aged 9-11.

• Take part in virtual volunteering to develop your ability to contribute to a good cause, remotely.

• Enter a competition relevant to your subject of study, and use technology to help with your entry. For example, Kaggle run a range of data science and machine learning competitions, some with prizes.

Related attributes: curious; creative, innovative and enterprising; future-focused