I was not born in a digital age, but I grew up in the development of a digital age. This gave me the benefit of a gradual adjustment to a digital incorporation of my everyday life. However, being born out of a digital age has given me the perspective of ‘being before the digital age’ and ‘being in the digital age’. Consequently, I have a ground for comparison between these two periods and for recognition of advantages and disadvantages. The digital development has brought about a hyperconnectivity that face-to-face-meetings do not have, an effectivization of work, and a mode of ‘think less – find more’. Besides involving new possibilities for creativity, cognition and construction, the digital era has brought about new modes of communication in terms of digital literacies.

Digital literacy may be described as ways of reading and writing in a digital context, and more specifically as ‘the capability to formulate and express cogent arguments online’. The digital arena offers many tools that often mirror face-to-face meetings. As in life outside the digital arena, the individual may decide what is shared, how it is shared and for what purpose. On the one hand, if a person prefers not leaving any digital traces online, the digital arena may be used as a toolbox for achieving a goal. On the other hand, if a person does not mind leaving digital traces online, the digital arena may be used as a space for connecting with other people. Presumably, there is a kind identity attached to that activity. However, the choice of making delimitations may sometimes be challenged by the blurring between personal and professional contexts. A specific example is personal and educational online spaces, in which digital platforms, previously used for private reasons, such as communication with relatives and close friends, are now also used for presentations of various assignments, and for communication with colleagues.

The shift between contexts, but also a more frequent use of digital tools requires of the individual a greater understanding of technical possibilities, but also a courage of ‘getting out of one’s own comfort zone’. Development is furthered by a focus on an individual’s interests, but also on other important issues that engages an individual. Thus, this gives rise to an intrinsic motivation of learning and development. An individual digital development is a constant circular process that involves identity, practices, skills, access, and awareness. However, the digital journey also needs collective support, which complements the individual capacity. Indeed, learning is a collective endeavour. A step towards a digital development could be signing up to a course, such as the ONL.

References used for the blog:
Jörg Pareigis & David White. Digital Literacies. Webinar 28/9-2020 13:00-14:00 CEST
David White. Visitors and residents (part 1). Link: https://youtu.be/sPOG3iThmRI
David White. Visitors and residents – Credibility (part 2). Link: https://youtu.be/kO569eknM6U
Doug Belshaw. The essential elements of digital literacies. Link: https://youtu.be/A8yQPoTcZ78
JISC-guide (2014). Developing digital literacies. Link: http://web.archive.org/web/20141011143516/http:/www.jiscinfonet.ac.uk/infokits/digital-literacies/