Digital and Workplace Literacies are Interrelated Skills

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Employers require employees to have vital digital and workplace literacy skills, and they expect new employees to have developed these skills before being hired. Beyond basic computer skills, digital literacy encompasses using digital tools and technologies effectively. Christian (2022) indicates that it “means being able to work adaptably and strategically across tools, devices, and platforms” (para. 1). Individuals who lack these skills are in danger of being left behind.

 

This blog post (a) provides definitions of digital and workplace literacies, (b) explains how digitalization has permeated employment settings and activities, and (c) then describes how digital and workplace literacies are interrelated.  

 

Digital literacy means having the skills you need to live, learn, and work in a society where communication and access to information is increasingly mediated through digital technologies like internet platforms, social media, and mobile devices. Digital literacy involves a “spectrum of skills that run from operational (device use) to navigational (understanding structures) to informational (searching and interpreting) to strategic (meeting personally meaningful objectives)” (Oliver & Williams-Duncan, 2019, p. 123). Given the pervasiveness of digital tools in daily life, digital literacy has become a vital skill for seeking and maintaining employment.

 

Workplace literacy can be defined as skills employees need to be competent in work.

Given the twin industrial revolutions of digitalization and artificial intelligence, workplace literacy inextricably involves the skills needed to use digital tools efficiently to perform tasks, communicate effectively, and collaborate with colleagues. It also means that employees must be adaptable and willing to learn new skills. Digital and workplace literacies are closely intertwined in today's digital age, where technology permeates almost every aspect of work environments. Understanding their relationship helps individuals and organizations navigate the demands of modern workplaces effectively.

 

Digitalization and Artificial Intelligence in the Workplace

We are amid what has been called a fourth industrial revolution, referring to the digitalization of the workplace and the proliferation of artificial intelligence tools (Briggs et al., 2023). Digitization and digitalization may seem like interchangeable terms; however, digitization focuses on converting information into data, while digitalization is about developing processes and changing workflows to improve manual systems (Monton, 2022). Muro et al. (2017) state that “Digitalization is the process of employing digital technologies and information to transform business operations” (p. 5), a conversion so thorough that it continuously reorients work and daily life.  Muro et al. indicate that over the past 50 years, digital technologies are pervasive in most businesses and workplaces.

 

Digitalization is changing the skills needed to access economic opportunity. It has permeated most industries. For example, healthcare workers at all levels, from janitorial services to highly skilled surgeons to upper management, use digital technologies. Auto mechanics use laptops to diagnose car problems, and salespeople use cloud-based artificial intelligence applications to schedule meetings. These are only a few examples of how the workplace has changed.  Knowing how to use these digital and artificial intelligence tools has become a workforce requirement.

 

Employees and business owners must use multiple digital tools such as email, word processors, spreadsheets, project management software, and specialized industry-specific applications. Klassen (2019) reports that workers report the need to use multiple digital tools simultaneously and are often assigned multiple computer monitors so that they can organize digital tools to suit their needs. Employees report experiencing anxiety and information overload. Employees with lower literacy need help with non-linear reading tasks and may find the volume of information overwhelming.

Image credit: Tranmautritan, Pexels

Digital and Workplace Literacies

The influence of digitalization on work in our society has led to emergence of digital jobs. Therefore, digital and workplace literacies are interrelated. Seven skill categories for the digital workplace are suggested below.

 

1.     Information Management

Digital literacy includes skills related to finding, evaluating, and managing information online. In the workplace, employees need to be able to navigate through vast amounts of digital information to find relevant data for their tasks, projects, or decision-making processes. Workplace literacy involves understanding how to assess the credibility of online sources, manage digital files, and organize information effectively to enhance productivity and decision-making (Law et al., 2017; Vuorikari Rina, 2022).

 

2.     Communication and Collaboration

Digital literacy is essential for effective communication and collaboration in the workplace. This includes using email, instant messaging, video conferencing, and other digital communication tools to interact with colleagues, clients, and stakeholders. Workplace literacy extends beyond basic communication skills to encompass understanding digital etiquette, managing online meetings, and leveraging collaborative teamwork and knowledge-sharing platforms (Law et al., 2017; Vuorikari Rina, 2022).

 

3.     Problem-Solving

Digital literacy fosters problem-solving skills and adaptability in the workplace. Employees need to be able to troubleshoot technical issues, learn new digital tools and technologies quickly, and adapt to changing digital environments. Workplace literacy involves developing critical thinking skills to analyze problems, identify solutions, and leverage digital resources effectively to achieve organizational goals (Law et al., 2017; Vuorikari Rina, 2022).

 

4.     Data-Informed Decision Making

In today's data-driven workplaces, digital literacy includes understanding basic data concepts, interpreting data visualizations, and making data-informed decisions. Workplace literacy involves applying data analysis skills to extract insights from large datasets, create reports and presentations, and communicate findings to relevant stakeholders (Law et al., 2017; Vuorikari Rina, 2022).

 

5.     Cybersecurity and Privacy Management

Digital literacy encompasses knowledge of cybersecurity best practices and understanding privacy issues related to digital technologies. In the workplace, employees must be aware of cybersecurity threats such as phishing attacks, malware, and data breaches, and understand how to protect sensitive information and adhere to privacy regulations (Law et al., 2017; Vuorikari Rina, 2022).

 

6.     Artificial Intelligence Usage

AI technologies are becoming pervasive in many digital tools and platforms that individuals interact with daily. Understanding AI is thus becoming a crucial component of digital literacy. Users must comprehend how AI works, its capabilities, limitations, and ethical considerations to make informed decisions about its use.

 

7.    Lifelong Learning and Professional Development

Digital and workplace literacies are not static skills but require continuous learning and professional development. Employees must stay updated with evolving digital trends, acquire new digital skills, and adapt to emerging technologies to remain competitive (Law et al., 2017).

 

In summary, digital and workplace literacies are deeply intertwined, with digital skills playing a crucial role in enhancing productivity, communication, problem-solving, and adaptability in modern work environments. Organizations can foster a culture of continuous learning and provide training and development opportunities to empower employees with the digital and workplace literacy skills needed to succeed in today's digital economy.

 

References

Briggs, X. D., Johnson, C. C., & Katz, B. (2023, October 13). There’s an industrial revolution underway. Unless we act, it will make the racial wealth gap even worse. Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings. Retrieved https://www.brookings.edu/articles/theres-an-industrial-revolution-underway-unless-we-act-it-will-make-the-racial-wealth-gap-even-worse/

Christian, A. (2022, September 26). Why ‘digital literacy’ is now a workplace non-negotiable. BBC. Retrieved https://www.bbc.com/worklife/article/20220923-why-digital-literacy-is-now-a-workplace-non-negotiable

Klassen, A. (2019). Deconstructing paper-lined cubicles: Digital literacy and information technology resources in the workplace. International Journal of Advanced Corporate Learning, 12(3), 5–13. https://doi-org.lynx.lib.usm.edu/10.3991/ijac.v12i3.11170

Law, N. W. Y., Woo, D. J., de la Torre, J., & Wong, K. W. G. (2018). A global framework of reference on digital literacy skills for indicator 4.4. 2.

Monton, A. (2022, March 2022). Difference and similarities: Digitization, digitalization, and digital transformation. Retrieved https://www.globalsign.com/en-sg/blog/difference-and-similarities-digitization-digitalization-and-digital-transformation#:~:text=While%20digitization%20focuses%20on%20converting,generate%20insights%20from%20their%20behaviour.

Muro, M., Liu, S., Whiton, J., & Kulkarni (2017, November). Digitalization and the American workforce. Metropolitan Policy Program at Brookings. Retrieved https://www.brookings.edu/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/mpp_2017nov15_digitalization_full_report.pdf

Oliver, K. M., & Williams-Duncan, S. (2019). Faith leaders developing digital literacies: Demands and resources across career stages according to theological educators. Journal of Media Literacy Education, 11(2), 122–145. https://doi-org/10.23860/JMLE-2019-11-2-7

Vuorikari Rina, R., Kluzer, S., & Punie, Y. (2022). DigComp 2.2: The Digital Competence Framework for Citizens-With new examples of knowledge, skills and attitudes (No. JRC128415). Joint Research Centre (Seville site).

Evaluating Information Found Online: Seven Questions to Ask

 

Image Credit: Microsoft Stock Images

As you search online, you will likely find websites for many agencies and organizations that could be more well-known. By answering the following questions, you should be able to evaluate the quality of the posted information. Many of these details may be under the website heading “About Us” or “Contact Us.” Below are questions that you should ask yourself when evaluating online information.
 

1. Who sponsors the website?

Can you quickly identify the sponsor? Websites cost money—is the funding source readily apparent?

 

2. Is it obvious how you can reach the sponsor?

Trustworthy websites will have contact information for you to use. They may have a toll-free telephone number. The website home page should list an e-mail address, phone number, or mailing address where the sponsor and/or the authors of the information can be reached.

 

3. What type of website is it?

Sometimes, the website address itself may help—for example:

• .gov identifies a government agency.
• .edu identifies an educational institution.
• .org identifies professional organizations (e.g., scientific or research societies, advocacy groups).
• .com identifies commercial websites.

 

4. Who wrote the information?

Authors and contributors should be identified. Their affiliation and any financial interest in the content should also be clear. Be careful about testimonials. Personal stories may be helpful, but advice offered in a case history should be considered with a healthy dose of skepticism. There is a big difference between a website developed by a person with a financial interest in a topic and one developed from an objective viewpoint.

5. Who reviews the information? Does the website have an editorial board?

Click on the “About Us” page to see if an editorial board checks the information before putting it online. Find out if the editorial board members are experts in your research subject. Some websites have a section called “About Our Writers” instead of an editorial policy. Dependable websites will tell you where the information came from and how it has been reviewed.

6. When was the information written?

It’s important to find out when the information you are reading was written. Look carefully on the home page to find out when the website was last updated. The date is often found at the bottom of the home page. Remember: older information isn’t useless. Many websites provide older articles so readers can get an historical view of the information.

7. Does the website make claims that seem too good to be true? Are quick, miraculous problem fixes offered?

Be skeptical of sensational writing, or easy and quick problem fixes. Make sure you can find other websites with the same information. Don’t be fooled by a long list of links—any website can link to another, so no endorsement can be implied from a shared link. Take the “too good to be true” test—information that sounds unbelievable probably is unbelievable.

A final note

Use your common sense and good judgment when evaluating information online. There are websites on nearly every conceivable topic and no rules overseeing the quality of the information. Take a deep breath and think a bit before acting on any information you find on the web. Don’t count on any one website. If possible, check with several sources to confirm the accuracy of your results.

News Literacy and Its Components

 

Image Credit: Evangeline Shaw, Unsplash

As part of our continuing discussion of different types of literacy, this blog post addresses News Literacy in honor of the 5th Annual National News Literacy Week, January 22 – 26. 

 

News literacy is critically analyzing and evaluating news sources, stories, and information. It involves developing the skills and knowledge necessary to be an informed news consumer. News literacy goes beyond simply being able to access information; it emphasizes the capacity to assess the credibility, reliability, and relevance of news content. Ashley (2022) provides the following definition:

 

News literacy is the critical evaluation of information content as well as the contexts where it is produced and consumed. We can think of news literacy as the set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes that a person brings to their personal consumption of information and to their understanding of the structure of the news media landscape.

 

 

Ashley’s book News Literacy and Democracy (2020) also links news literacy with democracy. He writes, “Democracy is ultimately about citizen participation in the organization of society. We are governed by elected representatives, and because representative government requires an informed citizenry, we need news that gives us an accurate picture of our environment. But the morass of information out in the world today poses a real threat to our ability to govern our societies” (p. 4). Ashley explains that we each have the power to be selective about the information we expose ourselves to, and this ability can shape our perceptions of reality, which in turn influences our behaviors and attitudes. Some people choose to tune out altogether. Indeed, the Digital News Report by Reuter indicates that social networks have become a primary news source for 18-24-year-olds (Eddy, 2022). The report further claims that only 26% of Americans trust news generally.

 

We have traveled far from the days of trusted news anchors such as Walter Cronkite, a CBS news anchor from 1962 to 1981, who was known as the most trusted man in America in the 1960s and 1970s. Instead of a few trusted sources of information, digital media have saturated daily life, making it difficult to distinguish legitimate information from biased, fake, and falsified news. Hornick (2024), writing for the News Literacy Center at Stony Brook University, indicates that: “New technologies to create and share information make it easy to create content that only appears authoritative and then to spread it virally. The conflict between speed and accuracy has been exacerbated by Digital Age demands for delivering information as fast as possible, but accelerating that process increases the chance it will be wrong” (para. 4). While nearly everyone can create and publish media with a laptop or smartphone, the responsibility to be accurate, truthful, and unbiased is not shared. The News Literacy Center provides news literacy lessons for college/university students, community groups, and K-12 students. The website references 18 other organizations concerned about news sites' quality and trustworthiness, including the Media Literacy Clearinghouse and the American Press Institute. 

 

PBS Learning Media for Teachers houses several collections of lessons on news and media literacy. The lessons include videos, blog articles, student handouts, lesson plans, and tip sheets to help students identify, analyze, and investigate the news and information they get from online sources. These lessons are aimed at K-12 students. PBS Learning Media for Teachers and the News Literacy Center link news literacy and democracy.

 

Components of News Literacy

 

1.     Critical Thinking

News literacy encourages individuals to approach information critically. This includes questioning the source, understanding the context, and evaluating the evidence from news stories.

 

2.     Source Evaluation

Understanding where news comes from is crucial. News literacy involves assessing the credibility and reliability of news sources. Differentiating between reputable journalistic sources and unreliable sources is a fundamental skill.

 

3.     Fact-Checking

Fact-checking is an integral part of news literacy. Individuals are encouraged to verify the accuracy of claims and information presented in news stories before accepting them as accurate.

 

4.     Media Bias Awareness

Recognizing and understanding media bias is essential. News literacy helps individuals identify potential biases in news reporting and how they might influence the presentation of information.

 

5.     Contextual Awareness

News stories often need to be understood within their broader context. News literacy involves considering the historical, cultural, and social context in which events are reported.

 

6.     Digital Literacy

With the rise of digital media and online information, news literacy includes digital literacy skills. This involves understanding how information spreads on social media, recognizing online misinformation, and being aware of the potential for manipulation.

 

7.     Diversity of Sources

News literacy emphasizes the importance of seeking information from diverse sources. Exposure to various perspectives helps individuals develop a more comprehensive understanding of issues.

 

8.     Ethical Considerations

News literacy includes an awareness of journalistic ethics. This involves understanding the responsibilities of journalists, respecting the rights of individuals featured in news stories, and recognizing the importance of unbiased reporting.

 

9.     Engagement and Participation

News literacy encourages active engagement with news and current events. This can include participating in discussions, sharing responsibly sourced information, and being an informed citizen.

 

Promoting news literacy is essential in a world where misinformation and disinformation can spread rapidly. By fostering these skills, individuals are better equipped to navigate the complex media landscape and make informed decisions about the information they encounter.

 

References

Ashley, S. (2020). New Literacy and Democracy. Available online https://library.oapen.org/bitstream/id/2ed9be72-d915-4e0f-bc8e-7977d9ae4d56/9780429863073.pdf

Eddy, K. (2022, June 15). The changing news habits and attitudes of younger audiences. Reuter Digital News Report. Retrieved https://reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/digital-news-report/2022/young-audiences-news-media

Hornick, R. (2024). Why News Literacy Matters: A NEW LITERACY FOR CIVIL SOCIETY IN THE 21st CENTURY. Retrieved https://digitalresource.center/why-news-literacy-matters

 

Making Sense of Internet Results

 

By Lilian H. Hill

Any internet search will return thousands, or even millions, of results in less than a minute. How do you make sense of them? 

To best understand web search results, it is helpful to understand the terms Search Engine Results Page (SERP), Uniform Resource Locator (URL), sponsored content, and search engine optimization. These terms may be unfamiliar, so they are explained below.

Search Engine Results Page (SERP)

The format of this page may vary depending on what your search is about. For example, if you wish to purchase a down winter coat, the first page will likely contain ads from companies selling this type of coat. If you are searching for information about a topic, a knowledge graph may appear on the upper right side that contains brief statements about the topic, including photos and graphs (van de Rakt, 2018). 

Other features of the SERP are “Related Searches” or “People Also Ask For,” followed by variations and alternatives to the search terms you used. Depending on the words you used in your search terms, you may also see a definition of the word. 

    Search Result Organization. Search results are usually displayed with 10 results on each page. Each result will display a website name, address, and brief information about the website. See the example below.

Typically, search results are organized or ranked by their relevance to the query. Therefore, what you are searching for may be located on the first page of the results. 

Uniform Results Locator (URL) or Website Address 

Internet searches return information that is available on various websites. In addition to the website's name, the results display the URL. It functions in much the same way as a street address. Each URL is unique and should take you to a single website (Chi, 2023).

 

Figure 1: Anatomy of a Uniform Resource Locator

1. Scheme is the first part of a URL. Most website addresses begin with http:// which stands for HyperText Transfer Protocol. As personal privacy and security have become essential, look for the secure version: https:// meaning HyperText Transfer Protocol. The difference between http and https may feel like a minor detail, but “https” instructs your web browser to encrypt, meaning convert into code important information you enter, such as passwords or credit card numbers. That protects you from cyber criminals who want to steal your identity (Chi, 2023). 
2. Second-level domain is the name of the website you are visiting. Sometimes, it is an abbreviation of the website name when it is long (Chi, 2023). 
3. Top-level domain refers to the type of organization that owns the website. Domain extensions convey important information about the website's purpose and how trustworthy it might be. For example:
• .gov is reserved for government organizations
• .org is used by other types of organizations like non-profit organizations 
• .edu is used by educational institutions 
• .com is used by commercial entities (Chi, 2023; Domain, 2021).
4. Sub-directory directs your search to a particular location or page on a website (Chi, 2023). In Figure 1, the subdirectory directs the searcher to the Adult Learning Exchange Virtual Community page of the SCOC Consulting website. 

Sponsored Content

The first several results may be labeled as sponsored, meaning they are advertisements for a product or service. Depending on your interests, sponsored content may only be somewhat relevant. 

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

SEO refers to the process of making changes to a website to increase its visibility in search engines so that the website is more likely to appear on the first page of a search result. If you are a vendor or service provider or share information on topics people seek, it is easy to understand how important it is to be more visible. Many companies now employ people whose responsibility is SEO. They constantly tinker with website wording to match the keywords people most use. This means there may be better choices than the websites on the first page. Instead, the website staff may be very skilled in SEO and the product or service, but it is possible that the product or information could be mediocre. That is why it is important to dig past the first page of results (MindTools Content Team, 2023).

This information provides the first steps to being able to assess the credibility of the results of any internet search. Future blog posts will explore how to assess the information provided on a website. 

References

Chi, C. (2023, May 10). Parts of a URL: A short guide. Retrieved https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/parts-url#:~:text=What%20are%20the%20parts%20of,at%20least%20three%20of%20them.

Domain (2021, March 22). Types of a domain: A helpful guide. Retrieved https://www.domain.com/blog/domain-name-types/

MindTools Content Team (2023). Seven ways to find what you want on the internet. Retrieved https://www.mindtools.com/abtmh5z/seven-ways-to-find-what-you-want-on-the-internet

 van de Rakt, M. (2018, February 26). SEO basics: Elements of the Google Search Engine Results Page. Retrieved https://yoast.com/elements-of-the-google-search-result-page/#:~:text=Google's%20SERPs%20can%20show%20various,these%20elements%20will%20show%20up

How to Write Effective Internet Search Queries

 

Searching for information on the internet can be overwhelming. Search engines such as Google, Yahoo, and Duck, Duck Go source information from websites and there are more than 1.13 billion websites on a worldwide basis and a new one is created every three seconds (Haan & Bottorf, 2023). Search engines can produce millions of results in less than a second. Another interesting statistic is that most internet searches are conducted on smartphones.

Writing effective internet search queries is crucial for finding relevant information quickly and efficiently. To get the best results from an internet search, it is important to be specific in the language you use in your search query.

 

Tips to Craft Effective Search Queries

Simplify Your Searches

Remove unnecessary words, avoid conjunctions (and, or, but) and skip punctuation. For example, instead of asking “explain how many times most people search the world-wide-web in their lifetime, please?” you can say “number times people search internet.” It is not necessary to use complete sentences or be polite with a search engine (Indeed, 2023; Mind Tools, 2023).

Use Specific Keywords

Keywords are the terms you use to find information on the internet. Use keywords that accurately represent your topic of interest. Instead of generic terms, use specific and unique words related to your query (Indeed, 2023; Mind Tools, 2023).

Use the Simplest Form of Keywords

Use the most basic form of a keyword: service instead of services or servicing, finance instead of financed or financing, and describe instead of description. You can also write the root word with an asterik, such as “creat*”, and then any words that contain the root such as create, creative, creating, and recreate would be included in the search (Indeed, 2023; Mind Tools, 2023).

Use the Asterisk (*) as a Wildcard

You can also use an asterisk as a wildcard to fill in information you are uncertain about. For example, "The * of Cooking" will help you fill in the popular cookbook title, “The Joy of Cooking.” Depending on how common the words in your wildcard search are, you may have to sort through related results. For example, searching for “The * of Cooking” will bring up similar titles such as The Meaning of Cooking (Indeed, 2023; Mind Tools, 2023).

Experiment and Refine

If your initial search does not yield the desired results, don't hesitate to experiment with different keywords and combinations. Refine your search based on the results you receive. Persistence will produce useful results.

Check for Synonyms and Related Terms

Think of synonyms and related terms that might be used in the content you're looking for. Include these in your search query to broaden your results. If you are looking for information that could be represented by different terms, use "OR" between the terms. For example, "healthy eating OR nutrition" (Indeed, 2023; Mind Tools, 2023).

Avoid Words with Multiple Meanings

For example, the word “ship” can be a noun that describes a large boat or a verb, meaning to send a package. If you want to know how long it takes to send a package overseas and your search results are about yachts or fishing boats, you will need to be more specific in the next search.

Exclude Information from a Search

You can use the minus sign (-) before a word to exclude it from the search results. For example, if you are looking for information about jaguars, the animals but not sports cars, you can search for "jaguar -car." This will exclude websites about automobiles named jaguar (Indeed, 2023; Mind Tools, 2023).

Use Quotation Marks to Search for Specific Terms or Phrases

Use quotation marks to search for an exact phrase. For example, "climate change" will search for that specific term rather than individual occurrences of "climate" and "change." If you want information about a specific form of a word, quotation marks will prevent returns about variations of the word. For example, searching for “director” will return results solely about that form of the word and exclude directing, directorship, directive, etc (Indeed, 2023; Mind Tools, 2023).

Specify a Site or Domain

To narrow down your search to a specific website or domain, use the "site:" operator. For instance, "site:wikipedia.org space exploration" will only search for information about space exploration on Wikipedia (Indeed, 2023; Mind Tools, 2023).

Be Careful about Spelling

Ensure that your query is correctly spelled and that you use the correct word. Misspelled words and using an incorrect word can lead to irrelevant results. Fortunately, search engines will correct common word confusions. For example, if you type in “loose weight,” your search will be corrected to “lose weight,” but you will still have the option to search for the words you first used.

Use Voice Search

Many search engines include a voice search option, meaning you can speak your search engine phrase aloud rather than having to type it. This is very helpful when you are unsure about how words are spelled or have a condition that prevents you from typing. You can access the voice search feature on most of these search engines by pressing the microphone icon (Indeed, 2023).

Image Credit: Microsoft Stock Images

Typically, search results are organized, or ranked, by their relevance to the query. Therefore, what you are searching for may be located on the first page of results. However, it is also important to recognize that the first several results may be labelled as sponsored, meaning that they are really advertisements for a product or service, and may not be fully relevant.

 

Effective search engine searches can involve a combination of these techniques. By carefully crafting your queries, you can enhance the precision and relevance of your search results.

 

References

Haan, K. & Bottorff, C. (2023, February 14). Top website statistics for 2023. Forbes Advisor. Retrieved https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/software/website-statistics/#:~:text=There%20are%20about%201.13%20billion,are%20actively%20used%20and%20updated 

Indeed Editorial Team (2023, February 21). 22 Internet Search Tips on Finding what you need online. Indeed. Retrieved https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/internet-search-tips

 Mind Tools Content Team (2023). Seven ways to find what you want on the internet: Gathering what you need, discarding what you don't. Retrieved https://www.mindtools.com/abtmh5z/seven-ways-to-find-what-you-want-on-the-internet