How to keep your digital literacy skills current in an ever-changing world.

Being digitally literate is a skill as important as being able to read and write. Digital technology is an integral and inseparable part of everyday life. Personally, and professionally, our daily routines are interwoven with digital tools and technology. Smartphones, laptops, and other smart devices have transformed the way we interact, access information, and work.

It’s important to keep on top of digital literacy skills in today’s world. As technology continues to change and evolve, so too do the digital literacy skills we need to master. So, read on to discover essential digital literacy skills and ways to improve and upskill your abilities.

What you’ll learn

• What digital literacy is
• Different types of digital literacy skills
• Ways to increase and improve digital literacy skills
• How to upskill in Adobe Acrobat
• Tips for improving digital literacy

What is digital literacy?

A basic digital literacy meaning is about being able to use, understand, and navigate digital technology effectively. It involves learning the technical skills to use and operate digital equipment such as laptops, computers, and smartphones. Digital literacy also includes being able to evaluate digital information, communicate in digital environments, and have an awareness of potential security issues with digital technology.

Different types of digital literacy skills.

There are a few main skills you need to develop to help you use digital technology efficiently and responsibly — whether you’re at work, at home, or school. Digital literacy includes —

Basic computer literacy skills.

Basic computer skills include understanding how your devices work, and how to use them. This includes components such as your —

• Hardware and accessories — the physical components of your devices. For example, monitors, keyboards, and mice.

• Operating system – the technology that makes your devices work. For example, Windows, macOS, Android and iOS.

• File management systems and structures.

• Software and applications — the tools and programs you use to open and create documents. For example, Adobe Acrobat and the free Adobe Acrobat Reader are the go-to apps to view, share, sign, comment and collaborate on PDF files.

Internet literacy skills.

Internet literacy skills include knowing how to use the internet and be safe and secure online. This includes —

• Knowing how to use web browsers and search engines to search for information online.

• Understanding what URLs and hyperlinks are and when it is okay to click on them.

• The ability to evaluate the credibility of online information and recognize it’s from a reputable source.

Digital privacy skills.

The privacy skills you need in digital environments include —

• Understanding privacy settings on your devices, in applications and on digital platforms.

• Being aware of data collection practices and your right to consent to your data being used.

Digital security skills.

Digital security skills include —

• Being up to date with best practices for online security to manage potential online threats.
• Having an awareness of phishing, malware, and other cyber risks.
• Engaging in safe online behaviour and protecting your personal information.

Digital communication skills.

Digital literacy communication skills are what you use when you email, use messaging apps, or communicate and collaborate through digital platforms and social media sites. These skills include understanding basic digital and online etiquette and ways to communicate respectfully.

Digital literacy ethics.

Ethical behaviour in a digital world includes —

• Respecting intellectual property and copyright.
• Understanding the rights and responsibilities of people in the digital world.
• Engaging in positive and ethical online behaviour.

Digital literacy adaptability.

Adaptability is essential with digital literacy, as are a few problem-solving skills. If you can take an open-minded problem-solving approach to common digital issues and new digital technology, you’re off to a great start. Think of it as a lifelong learning journey where you are continually upskilling and learning new and improved ways of doing things

Ways to increase and improve digital literacy skills.

Do you remember the first time you used Internet banking? Well, you may not have realized it at the time, but you were learning and improving your digital literacy skills at the time, and you have likely continued to do so as Internet banking has evolved.

There are many ways to improve and increase your digital literacy skills — whether you’re at work, at home, or as a student. It’s something we all do regularly, whether consciously or not. Common ways to learn and improve digital literacy skills include —

Independent searching and learning.

Search online. Participate in online courses, tutorials, and webinars. Read reputable articles, manuals, and training material. Chances are, you’ve found this article by doing that!

Collaborative learning from others.

Learn with and from others. Collaborative learning includes in person with mentors, colleagues, friends, or associates, or in online environments and platforms where information is provided by experts and developers of digital tools and applications.

Exploring and experimenting.

Explore and experiment. It’s a great way to learn. Try the free trial download of Adobe Acrobat Pro to learn how you might be able to use the full range of features for working with PDFs at work or at home.

How to improve digital literacy in the workplace.

Improving digital literacy in the workplace can result in increased productivity and efficiency. It can also create room for innovation and growth, which in turn can lead to both customer and employee satisfaction and retention.

Some ways for business owners and employees to improve digital literacy skills at work include —

Business owners and managers.

• Offer opportunities for ongoing professional development and encourage employees to participate in digital literacy training programs.

• Foster a culture of experimentation and innovation. Encourage employees to try new tools and technologies that can help streamline processes and improve workflows.

• Provide resources such as online tutorials, guides, and tools that support your employees in the development of their digital literacy skills.

Employees.

• Express an interest in training programs and courses where you can learn new digital skills and keep up with emerging technologies.

• Practice using different digital tools and platforms in your daily work to improve your efficiency and productivity.

• Stay updated with industry news and trends and use of digital technology. Subscribe to relevant publications and social media accounts and attend conferences and events.

How to upskill in Adobe Acrobat.

Keep exploring our other how-to articles and learn how to use the full range of Acrobat features by checking out our Adobe Acrobat tutorials.

You can also make use of the Adobe Help Centre for Acrobat. Search for solutions to common issues and reach out to other experienced users in the Adobe Acrobat online forums if you have questions.

And, if you haven’t already, check out Adobe Acrobat Online services. There’s no need to download any software or applications. You can —

• Edit PDFs online
• Convert files to and from PDF online.
• Delete PDF pages online.
• Password-protect PDFs online.
• And much more.

Tips for improving digital literacy.

Three tips for improving your digital literacy are —

1. New technology is often user-friendly.
   One of the things about new technology is it usually becomes more user-friendly over time. Don’t be afraid to try new things and experiment with digital tools. You’ll build your confidence in your abilities in no time.

2. Even gurus ask for help.
   Long gone are the days of detailed user manuals printed on paper. If you don’t understand how to do something, search for a solution online, look for an online course or tutorial, or ask someone who does.

3. Practice does make perfect.
   After you’ve done something once, do it again. Repetition is key to remembering how to do something and having it become something you do again easily the next time.

Related content.

In the spirit of ongoing digital learning, keep reading. Some other articles to help with digital literacy include —

• PDF Security: Protect Your Sensitive Content and Information
• Cloud PDF Storage and File Sharing — Access Documents Anywhere, Anytime
• PDFs: The Advantages for Working Professionals when Going Paperless