Functional Skills

The mind map below (Image: Morgan, 2015) shows the components which are need to be a digitally competent learner. Whether the person links the component directly to the use of technology or just being aware of the impacts it can have and the effects it can bring. There are 8 components of digital literacy one being functional skills. There are digital skills which can be used to fulfil the requirements of the components, which then in turn links to being a digital competent learner.

Functional skills are the basic ICT skills which are essential skills a person inhabits. Barrett (2015) associated the word functional to also mean essential and ‘the word ‘essential’ not only implies practical applications for fundamental aspects of living, but also a better quality of life when we have gained these skills.’ Some examples of functional skills in education would be making a PowerPoint or the use of Microsoft Word in order to teach a lesson or to write an assignment. Another functional skill which can be easily taught is the making of a podcast which can be used to record a lecturer which can then be uploaded and listened to by students to further review the lecture. The use of podcasts in universities has risen in recent years with the use of PowerPoints being used to revisit the lecture becoming less common. Murphy (2008) stated that ‘Undoubtedly the main use to date of podcasting in a higher education setting has been in the recording of class lectures.’ There are many websites where podcasts are available from such as BBC Podcast. 

Within the module on my course we have had to use Microsoft and create a PowerPoint both of which I was not new to using. However, I further developed my skills just by being in university as I did not know about being able to select the length of my line spacing which is now essential to know as there are certain guidelines that my assignments have to follow. Microsoft Word plays a vital role when being a student as most assignments will involve the use of it which will then be turned in via an internet website of the universities choice. Microsoft is easy to download and easy to use and as time goes on you develop more skills associated with it.

If a person has essential digital skills like the ones talked about above then they could be said to possess general knowledge and functional skills, they use digital technology in everyday life, use technology to process information, have the understanding & awareness of the role of ICT in society and learn about and with digital technologies. This relates to the mind map which is above as the person processes, applies and demonstrates all with the use of technology.

References:

Barrett, E. (2015). ‘Digital Literacy: the third Essential Skill in Wales’ [Online] Available at: http://digitalcapability.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2015/02/17/digital-literacy-the-third-essential-skill-in-wales/ [Accessed: 22nd November 2015]

BBC The Forum. (n.d). ‘Podcast’ [Online] Available at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p004kln9/episodes/downloads [Accessed: 22nd November 2015]

Morgan, G. (2015). ‘Technology in Learning’ [Blog] [Image] ‘Defining Digital Competence’ Available at: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8Og7Vzh7cL9Ij7zcv-ANEJut1oCECxLnrQO3qAyfkZVfmNWyk9bwduia9UKYU-fa3T7dhitOhcdh_EGpkcY3HGj3u09XcA1kZt-4jSrEFZ2L_hxVT0dCz-wCmuCNoZBz9E9pQUVaKrw/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-02-26+at+14.20.12.png [Accessed: 22nd November 2015]

Murphy, B. (2008). ‘Podcasting in higher education’ [Online] Available at: http://www.bcs.org/content/ConWebDoc/20217 [Accessed: 22nd November 2015]