Most likely, you feel quite confident in navigating the digital world already. But let’s explore the skillset recommended by The Digital Competence Framework for Citizens (DigComp). It was developed on the European level and is being updated to reflect the fast-paced technological developments.
DigComp 2.2
DigComp 2.2 is the latest version of the Framework released to respond to increased digital literacy requirements.
It defines Digital Competence as the “confident, critical and responsible use of, and engagement with, digital technologies for learning, at work, and for participation in society. It is defined as a combination of knowledge, skills and attitudes”.
Digital Competence areas
Information and data literacy: To articulate information needs, to locate and retrieve digital data, information and content. To judge the relevance of the source and its content. To store, manage, and organise digital data, information and content.
Communication and collaboration: To interact, communicate and collaborate through digital technologies while being aware of cultural and generational diversity. To participate in society through public and private digital services and participatory citizenship. To manage one’s digital presence, identity and reputation.
Digital content creation: To create and edit digital content. To improve and integrate information and content into an existing body of knowledge while understanding how copyright and licences are to be applied. To know how to give understandable instructions for a computer system.
Safety: To protect devices, content, personal data and privacy in digital environments. To protect physical and psychological health, and to be aware of digital technologies for social well-being and social inclusion. To be aware of the environmental impact of digital technologies and their use.
Problem solving: To identify needs and problems, and to resolve conceptual problems and problem situations in digital environments. To use digital tools to innovate processes and products. To keep up-to-date with the digital evolution.
These areas are broken down into 21 competencies fully described here.
Digital skills for Masters degree students
Out of the 21 competencies, some are essential for graduate school success and career progression. Universities expect their students to develop these skills and apply them during their studies. Some of these requirements are part of university policies and rules. Let’s explore some examples of what you will be expected to master, as they are described in DigiCom 2.2:
Evaluating data, information and digital content
To analyse, compare and critically evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources of data, information and digital content. To analyse, interpret and critically evaluate the data, information and digital content.
Interacting through digital technologies
To interact through a variety of digital technologies and to understand appropriate digital communication means for a given context.
Sharing through digital technologies
To share data, information and digital content with others through appropriate digital technologies. To act as an intermediary, to know about referencing and attribution practices.
Netiquette
To be aware of behavioural norms and know-how while using digital technologies and interacting in digital environments. To adapt communication strategies to the specific audience and to be aware of cultural and generational diversity in digital environments.
Integrating and re-elaborating digital content
To modify, refine, improve and integrate information and content into an existing body of knowledge to create new, original and relevant content and knowledge.
Copyright and licences
To understand how copyright and licences apply to data, information and digital content.
Protecting personal data and privacy
To protect personal data and privacy in digital environments. To understand how to use and share personally identifiable information while being able to protect oneself and others from damages. To understand that digital services use a “Privacy policy” to inform how personal data is used.
Protecting health and well-being
To be able to avoid health risks and threats to physical and psychological well-being while using digital technologies. To be able to protect oneself and others from possible dangers in digital environments (e.g. cyber bullying). To be aware of digital technologies for social well-being and social inclusion.
Identifying digital competence gaps
To understand where one’s own digital competence needs to be improved or updated. To be able to support others with their digital competence development. To seek opportunities for self-development and to keep up-to-date with the digital evolution.
How to upgrade your digital skills
If you are a "digital native", you most likely feel technology has always been around and is a considerable part of your life. You have most of the skills listed above, but maybe not to the extent required.
Many digital natives still need to focus on developing their critical thinking, ethical and professional use of technologies, as they step up to higher levels of academic training and into careers. The descriptions above highlight possible areas of improvement such as:
- critically evaluate the credibility and reliability of sources of data
- understand appropriate digital communication means for a given context
- be aware of behavioural norms
- understand how copyright and licences apply
- protect personal data and privacy
- avoid health risks and threats to physical and psychological well-being
- understand where one’s own digital competence needs to be improved or updated
As you are heading to university, internships or your first job, make sure you master this skillset. It is applicable to everyday life and is not limited to academic or professional environments.
About the author
Iliana Bobova is a seasoned international education and career coach. In addition to writing articles, she has been the Chief Editor of the annual Access Masters, MBA and EMBA Guide for the past 10 years. She also advises prospective MBA and Master’s students globally during the Access Masters, MBA and EMBA events of Advent Group. She has gained expertise at Harvard University, the International Association of International Education (EAIE), the Institute of International Education (IIE), NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Global Career Development Facilitator, and Randstad RiseSmart, among others.
