1. Online Ethics
As digital communication becomes increasingly integral to education and life, it is important to learn about online ethics.
Why It Matters: Knowledge about how to act civil online, how to protect your privacy, and how to avoid plagiarism allows you to create a positive digital footprint.
How to Learn: Learn the basics of cybersecurity, source citing, and consequences for acting unethically, including cyberbullying and sharing fake news.
2. Basic Programming and Algorithmic Thinking
Learning to program and develop algorithmic thinking equips you to face various information technology tasks with confidence.
Why It Matters: Knowledge in programming opens doors in many areas, from engineering through business, to creative fields. Algorithmic thinking develops problem-solving skills.
How to Learn: Start with easy-to-learn languages such as Python or JavaScript. Platforms such as Codecademy or Khan Academy allow you to learn interactively.
3. Using Data to Inform Your Decisions
Data analysis and interpretation arguably represent indispensable competencies in this data-driven world.
Why It Matters: Whether it is budgeting your expenses, planning projects, or doing research, data literacy will help you make better evidence-based decisions.
How to Learn: Practice reading charts, graphs, and statistics. Free tools like Google Sheets or Microsoft Excel can get you hands-on in organizing and analyzing data.
4. Creating Content Using Digital Tools
Content creation through digital technologies is a highly valued skill for both scholarship and the profession.
Why It Matters: Content creation skills make you a more multi-capable, technology-savvy presenter of yourself—from presentations to social media curation.
How to Learn: Get familiar with design in Canva, presentations in Google Slides, and blogging platforms such as WordPress or Medium. Practice developing visually attractive and impactful content.
5. Evaluating Information Critically
The Internet is replete with information, some useful, some very misleading; test the waters to find the most credible resources.
Why It Counts: Academic research is built on the essentials of critical evaluation. Misconception or utilization of false information will lead to bad performance or production.
How to Learn: Learn how to cross-check sources against other sources. Be able to recognize biases and whether a source is peer-reviewed or fact-checked. Websites like Purdue OWL and FactCheck.org are great resources.