3.1 Understand and engage

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Figure 3 Words associated with understanding and engaging online
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An image showing words that you might use to describe activities in this skills area. The words are: access, apply, articulate, blog, communicate, conference, copy/paste, create, demonstrate, describe, design, distinguish, download, engage, evaluate, imagine, judge, justify, operate, post, record, reflect, review, save, select, survey, transform, tweet, upload, use and decide.

Figure 3 Words associated with understanding and engaging online

In order to understand and engage with your digital environment, you need to know what digital information is and what you can do with the information you find. You also need to be able to find and select the most appropriate online tools, websites and software for your needs.

Figure 3 illustrates the words you might use to describe activities in this skills area.

Engaging with a digital environment can also mean being able to find people with similar interests to you. If you can do this, you’ll be able to communicate with a wide network of people and avoid anyone who might be malicious.

A very important aspect of understanding and engaging is being aware of how others perceive you online. You will find out more about this in Week 3.

Activity 3 Understanding and engaging in an online environment

Timing: 15 minutes

This activity provides you with some practical examples of what understanding and engaging in an online environment involves.

In each of the areas covered, read the description and use the text box to write a sentence or two on how confident you feel in that area.

Then read the feedback, which lists resources you can use to develop skills in that area. Copy any useful links into your reflective journal and make a note of how they might help you. This will be a good reminder going forward.

By signing in and enrolling on this course you can view and complete all activities within the course, track your progress in My OpenLearn Create. and when you have completed a course, you can download and print a free Statement of Participation - which you can use to demonstrate your learning.

3 A framework for digital skills

3.2 Find