Digital proficiency and productivity

Digital proficiency

Digital proficiency is the ability you have to use digital devices, networks, applications, software and services: How quickly do you pick up new tools and skills? Do you cope when technology doesn’t work as expected, do you explore beyond the basic functions, and can you work things out for yourself?

Digital productivity

Digital productivity is how you use your digital skills to accomplish tasks: Can you choose the right devices, applications, software and systems for each task? Can you adapt the tools available to your own needs and those of other people?

In practice:

Being able to use the University’s tools and services to your best ability will improve the quality of your work, along with reducing the time it takes to complete tasks.

In teaching:

Being aware of the tools and services used by the university and your students allows you more flexibility in designing and delivering teaching to your students, improving their engagement and overall experience.

In learning:

Being able to find and access information, course content, and other resources, organise, manage and retrieve will greatly enhance your learning of a topic and overall educational experience.

The 3E framework can add an additional (optional) nuance to the examples presented. The framework consists of three descriptors: Enhance, Extend, and Empower. These should be seen more as degrees of engagement rather than levels of attainment and it will be more contextual as to which might be the most appropriate for a given circumstance. These should not be seen as levels of achievement where to reach the next level you must first attain the previous.

The enhance component of the framework focuses on increased productivity. Extend goes deeper and focuses on more collaborative practice and working beyond the obvious. Finally, empower highlights innovative practice often involving others in a creative way. Even the same task performed by different people, or the same person at different times may require a different degree of engagement.

Take a look at the examples below for this dimension of the Jisc digital capability framework. Can you think of some other examples which better relate to your own context and practice? You can also use the Discovery Tool to conduct a self-audit of your skills, generating a report with recommendations of resources and developmental opportunities mapped against your own desired developmental outcomes.

Enhance:

• Use digital tools and systems to enhance the efficiency or success of your work.

Extend:

• Select and apply from a range of digital tools and systems to extend the choice and control you have over your ways of working, including greater collaboration.

Empower:

• Confidently adopt new and changing technologies and stay up to date with changes. Adapt the tools and systems available to your own needs and those of other people.

Discovery Tool

Assess your digital capabilities with the Discovery Tool. It aims to aid understanding and self-reflection and then highlights opportunities for you to develop your skills. Answer questions relating to your digital skills, understanding and confidence to receive a personalised report. The report provides details of your digital capability levels across various themes and highlights relevant resources, including specially curated resources by OD&PL. The Discovery Tool is based upon the six elements of the Jisc digital capabilities framework.

Case studies

There are some great examples of how the Discovery Tool has been implemented across the sector, find out more by exploring the JISC implementation case studies. We are interested in hearing about your applications of using the Discovery Tool amongst departments, services and with your students.  If you are interested in spotlighting an example of your practice, then please do get in touch: academicdev@leeds.ac.uk.

Further Guidance

• Digital Educations Systems Help site - For how-to guides and practical support in using tools, visit the Digital Educations Systems Help site.
• IT Services - For technical support and to request assistance, visit the IT Services websiteusing your university username and password to log in.
• Organisational Development & Professional Learning (OD&PL) – You can find further development opportunities related to your personal and professional development on the OD&PL website. This includes information about staff and student access to a free LinkedIn Learning
• Embedding into the Curriculum - For support with embedding digital capabilities into the curriculum please discuss with your Faculty Digital Education Enhancement Teams.

Related networks and Communities of Practice

There are several networks and communities of practice at Leeds which can support you and your practice. A list of staff networks on the For Staff website is available, as well as a list of student education networks and communities on the OD&PL Student Education Development website.