What exactly is Digital Literacy?
The goal of digital literacy is to teach and assess basic computer concepts and skills so that people can use computer technology in everyday life to develop new social and economic opportunities for themselves, their families, and their communities.
Some digital skills are no brainers like knowing how to use a computer keyboard, or email communication or online shopping. But others are more complex and specific to your workplace like skillful use of project management tools, group communication tools and workflow management.
There are also aspects of digital literacy that include personal branding (your online persona and what is seen and read about you), creating and curating content for yourself or your company, image editing, social media, cloud based security and more.
What kind of jobs are possible to do remotely?
You don’t have to be a programmer, designer, or engineer to leverage “tech” in your job these days. A large number of jobs are available through digital work marketplaces in job roles such as: customer service, sales, HR, business administration, marketing automation, content editing and creation, legal document preparation, accounting, education & training, and more. While the need for many skills in traditional workplaces has diminished, these same skills are valued and sought after when adapted to the internet economy.
What are the requirements to join a program?
In general, the requirements are that attendees demonstrate a basic level of digital literacy and educational attainment, can attend all workshops, and have a qualified laptop computer. Specific requirements can be found on the application page.
What kind of time will it take?
Over an 8-10 week duration, participants should expect to spend up to 5-10 hours per week engaged with their learning cohort, online training, or other course related deliverables. Roughly every other week an in-person 3-4 hour workshop is required attendance.
Why do I need to learn professional digital skills?
Technology has become so integrated in everyday life that we can hardly remember what the world looked like before our multi-device, constantly connected reality. It’s expected that technology will become even more intuitive and ingrained in our daily life, and this leads to one important conclusion: the better equipped we are to handle this technological shift, the better our adjustment to it. Learning the key digital aspects of the 21st-century technology that surrounds us can only benefit your career. All jobs at every skill level are requiring a level of digital skill mastery as the digital workforce continues to emerge as the place of opportunity.
What does digital literacy have to do with Effective Communication?
Effective communication is one of the most important life skills we can learn—yet one we don’t usually put a lot of effort into. When we need to communicate online, without the benefit of in-person body language, voice tone or facial recognition so much of what we say can be misinterpreted. In order to have the confidence to communicate effectively in today’s workplace, you must understand the tools used, how each tool can positively (or negatively) affect relationships and how to use each workflow tool effectively so that you remain a productive and effective part of the team.
What, specifically, will I have when I finish this program that I don’t have today?
The objective of the program is to enable participants to be prepared for obtaining online, remote work. Specifically, attendees will gain a new level of understanding of the digital workforce marketplace, have developed their online professional personas and profiles, practiced how to work with remote teams and remote team tools, and learn to match emerging market needs with online learning opportunities which establishes a life-long pattern of continuous learning.
How is DigiGig different from other online “How To” programs?
DigiGig program development has focused on a developing and curating best-of-breed content specifically matched to the program’s goal of helping attendees be prepared to obtain remote work.
What if I don’t have a college degree?
For many online jobs these days, college degrees are not required; however, having a solid set of critical thinking/problem solving, reading and comprehension, and writing skills is the baseline for most modern jobs. Many people have developed these skills through work experience or other non-college educational opportunities.
What if this training is not a fit or doesn’t meet my needs for some reason?
The reason the program has an acceptance interview is to help ensure there is a good fit between your needs and what the program offers in order to avoid any mis-understanding.
What kind of support is there outside of the training class; what if I have questions or need support?
Each attendee will be paired with a personal coach. The are available through the program’s group chat program for the duration of the program. Additionally, other learning cohort members and alumni are also available as a community that can support you.