Self-Assessment and getting familiar with digital skills
As an educator working in the digital age means to assess and stay updated on the technology you want to use.
As a first Step you should assess your own digital skills. You can use the Essential Digital Skills Framework of the UK department of education. As an educator you should reach all the way to the WORK EDS level in all topics. Please assess your skill level answering the questions here: https://futuredotnow.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/The-Essential-Digital-Skills-framework-2.0.pdf
There are 20 Work tasks in total, split across five skill areas: Communicating, Handling Information and Content, Transacting, Problem Solving and Being Safe and Legal Online. All 20 Work tasks are not required to have Work EDS.
An individual needs to perform at least one task within each of the five Work skill areas without assistance. Anyone can be measured for Work EDS as long as they are not retired. They also may be able to perform the task in their working life but not need to use it. The general “WORK” skills are as relevant for education, as for any other work sector.
ACTIVITY
To assess your own skills as an educator for a hybrid learning situation using the Essential Digital Skills Framework, you can engage in a reflective exercise that aligns with the framework’s components. Here’s a structured approach to evaluate your proficiency:
Foundation Level Assessment:
Reflect on your ability to perform fundamental tasks essential for success online, such as setting up devices, using controls, managing settings, finding applications, connecting to Wi-Fi, browsing the internet, securing login information, and updating passwords. Evaluate your independence in executing these tasks to determine your Foundation Level competency.
Life Essential Digital Skills (EDS) Evaluation:
Consider the five skill areas – Communicating, Handling Information and Content, Transacting, Problem Solving, and Being Safe and Legal Online. Assess your proficiency in tasks like setting up accounts, communicating online, recognizing trustworthy information, using search engines effectively, and managing online transactions. Identify areas where you excel and areas that may require improvement to enhance your Life EDS.
Work Essential Digital Skills (EDS) Self-Assessment:
Examine your skills in workplace-related tasks, including using digital tools, accessing work-related information digitally, sharing information securely, improving productivity with digital tools, and acting cautiously online. Reflect on your ability to perform tasks across the five Work skill areas to ascertain your Work EDS level.
Hybrid Learning Adaptation:
Apply the insights from your self-assessment to the context of hybrid learning. Consider how your digital skills align with the demands of facilitating a hybrid learning environment. Evaluate your readiness to leverage digital tools for communication, content delivery, collaboration, problem-solving, and ensuring online safety in a hybrid teaching setting.
Action Plan:
Based on your assessment, create an action plan to enhance your digital skills for hybrid learning. Identify specific areas for improvement, set achievable goals, and outline steps to upskill in those areas. Consider leveraging online tutorials, learning platforms, and professional networks to enhance your digital proficiency.
By engaging in this reflective exercise and aligning it with the Essential Digital Skills Framework, you can gain valuable insights into your digital competencies as an educator for a hybrid learning situation. This structured approach will help you identify strengths, areas for growth, and actionable steps to enhance your effectiveness in a hybrid teaching environment.