Assess the digital literacy of students
To assess the digital skills of learners in adult education during hybrid lessons using the Essential Digital Skills Framework, you should follow a structured approach. Firstly, familiarize yourself with the three components of the framework: Foundation Level, Essential Digital Skills for Life, and Essential Digital Skills for Work . These components outline the fundamental tasks and skills required for digital proficiency.
Next, focus on the Foundation Level, which consists of eight essential tasks that individuals need to perform independently to establish a basic level of digital competence . Assess learners’ ability to complete tasks such as setting up devices, using controls, connecting to Wi-Fi networks, and managing passwords serely.
Additionally, consider the Life Essential Digital Skills (EDS) and Work Essential Digital Skills (EDS) within the framework . These levels encompass tasks related to communication, handling information, transacting, problem-solving, and being safe and legal online. Evaluate learners’ proficiency in these areas by observing their ability to communicate online, handle information securely, transact digitally, solve problems, and maintain online safety .
Furthermore, utilize the specific tasks outlined in the framework to evaluate learners’ digital skills in a hybrid learning environment . Tasks such as using workplace digital tools, accessing salary and tax information digitally, and identifying secure Wi-Fi networks demonstrate learners’ digital proficiency in real-world scenarios.
While for your self-assessment the work dimension is important, you can focus with the learners on the foundation level and the Life Essential Digital Skills.
By aligning your assessment criteria with the Essential Digital Skills Framework and focusing on the tasks and skills relevant to adult learners in hybrid lessons, you can effectively evaluate and improve their digital capabilities and align your teaching accordingly.
ACTIVITY
Co-Teaching Exercise for Learners
In a hybrid learning situation, learners can assess their individual digital skills using the Essential Digital Skills Framework. The exercise involves the following steps:
- Foundation Level Assessment:
- Ask learners to perform the eight tasks in the Foundation Level without assistance.
- Provide scenarios where they need to demonstrate skills like setting up a Wi-Fi connection, using different applications, and updating passwords.
2. Life Essential Digital Skills Assessment:
- Present learners with tasks from the Life EDS categories such as Communicating, Handling Information and Content, Transacting, Problem Solving, and Being Safe and Legal Online.
- Have them complete tasks like setting up online accounts, identifying secure websites, and changing passwords.
3. Work Essential Digital Skills Assessment:
- Evaluate learners on tasks related to Work EDS like using workplace digital tools, sharing information securely, and improving productivity with digital tools.
- Create scenarios where they need to demonstrate skills in accessing work-related information digitally and collaborating with colleagues online.
By engaging in these assessments, learners can identify their strengths and areas for improvement across different digital skill areas, enabling them to enhance their overall digital proficiency in a hybrid learning environment 1.
Educator’s Assessment Exercise
To assess the digital skills of learners in a hybrid learning situation, conduct the following exercise:
Observation and Interaction:
- Observe how learners navigate digital tasks during class activities and assignments.
- Interact with students to understand their comfort level with using digital devices and software.
Task-Based Assessment:
- Assign specific tasks aligned with the Essential Digital Skills Framework 1.
- Evaluate how students handle tasks related to setting up accounts, accessing information online, and communicating digitally.
Feedback and Guidance:
- Provide feedback on areas where learners excel and areas that need improvement based on the assessment.
- Offer guidance on resources and tools that can help students enhance their digital skills.
Collaborative Projects:
- Encourage students to collaborate on digital projects that require them to apply a combination of digital skills.
- Assess their ability to work together digitally, share information securely, and solve problems using digital tools.
By conducting these assessments, educators can gain insights into the digital proficiency of learners in a hybrid learning setting, tailor instruction to meet individual needs, and support students in developing essential digital skills for academic and future professional endeavors.