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 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. Also use

   the Academic Skills Kit (ASK) resources for developing your digital skills.
• Follow the Microsoft 365 Learning Pathways to improve your ability to work in virtual environments.

• 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