3. Do I have the digital skills to be an online learner?
Online learning means that you will need to use a range of digital technologies. Technology and education are developing and increasingly go hand in hand. As it’s likely you will use a computer or a tablet to study, it is important to ensure that you are confident in your digital skills to help you be an effective learner. The following digital skills are likely to help you be successful in your online learning:
- Knowing how to use the internet to assist you in your studies; for example, listening to an audio file or podcast (online audio file to which you can subscribe), or watching a video. You may also need to know how to upload digital files to a course website (Learning Management System) for assessment or to share with fellow online learners.
- Knowing how to use the internet to complete research tasks.
- Being able to find your way around a study website.
- Being able to use word processing packages to present your work.
- Knowing how to write online messages to your tutor or peer group or how to take part in live interactive sessions over the internet (like Skype, message boards or forums).
- Knowing how to submit written materials like assignments electronically, for your tutor to mark and provide feedback.
If you want to know more about how to develop or expand your digital skills, these short courses from the UK Open University hosted on the OpenLearn platform might be helpful for you to explore:
Living with the internet: learning online
Get started with online learning
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