Module 1

21st Century Skills

Meeting our society’s challenges demands educational excellence.

Reinvigorating the economy, achieving energy independence with alternatives
technologies and green jobs, and strengthening our health care system
required a skilled populace that is ready for the critical challenges we face.
There is a widespread consensus, however, that our education system is
failing to adequately prepare all students with the essential 21 st century
knowledge and skills necessary to succeed in life, career, and citizenship.
In this lesson, we will learn about communication skills and Digital
skills/Digital Citizenship.

Learning outcomes
A. Draw connections between concepts; and
B. Discuss the importance of communication skills in relation to becoming a
good digital communicator.
Lesson 1 Communication Skills

The word communication originates from the word “Communis”, which

means common. Communication therefore, is an act by which a person
shares, knowledge, feelings, ideas and information, in ways such that each
gains a common understanding of the meaning, intent, and use of the
message.
Being able to communicate effectively is one of the most important life
skills to learn. Communication is defined as transferring information to
produce greater understanding. It can be done vocally (through verbal
exchanges), through written media (books, websites, and magazines), visually
(using graphs, charts, and maps) or non-verbally (body language, gestures,
pitch of voice, and tone). All of these means of communication are essential
Soft Skills that are vital for a successful Career.

Communication is always a two-way process:

• Talking and listening
• Writing and reading.
One-way communication may be faster – two-way is more accurate.
‘The meaning of communication is the response you get.’ - Anon
 Barriers to Effective Communication can
arise at any of these Stages.
1. Sender
The credibility of the sender is important in itself. For example:
• E-mails from the managing director are read first
• Presentation given by someone who is not an expert.
A status clash between sender and receiver can be a barrier. So too can
emotional conflict between sender and receiver.

2. Message content
Imagine that you are given a message that contains an ambiguity, resulting
in a serious error. Who is as fault? It really doesn’t matter, the mistake has
been made and the costs of redoing the work or putting right the loss is the
question to address.

A. The greatest source of difficulty is that different words have different

meanings depending on the culture or the context.
Dry country – lacks water or alcohol?
A funny story – is it humorous or disconcerting?

B. It can be that a mistake is made. The incorrect use of a word can

change the meaning of a sentence confusing left and right when giving
directions.

C. A misspelling can make all the difference:

Pair (to increase by doubling-up) and pare (to reduce by cutting or
trimming away)
Raise (build up) and raze (destroy to the ground)
Wave (dismiss) and waive (allow).

D. Also a message might simply be misheard. Given that the word has
several meanings, it might not be the one that was intended and you
may have misheard it anyway: what chance have we got of getting the
message?
3. Channel
Messages are conveyed through many different channels.

Written Verbal
• E-mail • face-to-face meetings
• Letter • telephone
• Memo • video conferencing
• Reports • presentations.
• Fax
• Publications.
Using the correct channel is essential in making sure your
communication is effective, eg faxing a map or detailed Instructions.

4. Receipt
The receipt of the message can be interfered with in several ways:
• Environmental factors
– Noise – talking to someone on a mobile with train
announcements in the background
– Light – if the screen cannot be seen clearly in a presentation
• Needs/anxiety/expectation of the listener, nerves when talking to
person in authority.

5. Evaluation and understanding

Barriers arise at this stage due to:
A. level of knowledge possessed by receiver
B. use of language and jargon (particularly bad with accountants!)
C. context in which the message is being delivered.

6. Accept or reject
Everyone is an individual who has unique intelligence, education,
religious beliefs, social background and experiences. Too often it is our
personal values that lead us to see or hear what we feel ought to be there
rather than what is actually being communicated.
Activity 1
Using the video “Skills in 21st century/Dr. Laura A.
Jana/TEDxChandigarth” https://youtu.be/z_1Zv_ECy0g, Make a
concept map about what skills are needed that was mentioned in a video.
Lesson 2 Digital Skills / Digital Citizenship

Digital skills become digital capabilities through practice, provide

those opportunities by creating digital options for student
presentations, communication, learning and evidence-building. For Example:
students learning to use AutoCAD to create a building design or marketing
majors learning to use social media platforms are examples of discipline-
specific digital skills. In all circumstances, there must be a compelling need
to learn how to utilize the application.
Digital Citizen as defined by Karen Mossberger ( one of the authors of
Digital Citizenship : The Internet, Society and Participation) digital citizens
are “those who use the internet regularly and effectively” this also refers to
those who efficaciously use digital technologies to communicate with others,
participate in society and to create and consume digital content, on the other
hand, Digital Citizenship is all about confident and positive engagement with
digital technologies, it is teaching students how to be responsible, safe and
effective on the internet and digital devices so they will continue these
practices beyond the classroom.
Similar to the real world citizens, online users have to follow the rules
and try to make use of all its benefits safely. As digital citizens, students need
to be aware of their behavior and how it may affect others, but also they
should show empathy towards others avoiding conflict and calling out the
ones that don’t. In order to create harmony and peace towards other, one
must know his/her accountability in using these technological devices and
must be a good digital citizen.

Learning outcomes:

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

The importance of learning and understanding digital skills

Explain what it means to be a digital citizen; Employ the characteristics of
digital citizenship
Make use of digital elements effectively and safely.
Notes:
Digital skills within five overarching categories:
1. Operation & Application: the ability to use common technology
devices with proficiency. Choose relevant tools for certain activities and
incorporate technology into the learning process.
2. Inquiry & Innovation: Create creative digital artifacts to convey
understanding and inform audiences by using technology programs to
collect, organize, and visualize data.
3. Problem Solving & Critical Thinking: Leverage technology in the
problem-solving process and model computational processes to
uncover, apply, and scale solutions.
4. Online Communication, Collaboration, and Research: Enhance
learning networks to share information in a variety of online networks,
organize and integrate resources, and collaborate with others via digital
channels.
5. Digital Citizenship: the ability to when using technology, act in a safe,
legal, and ethical manner.

Operation & Application

Computer Fundamentals- learning the proper terms for technology parts.

 Keyboarding – learning the proper keys. Use common letter keys and
shortcut key combinations.
 Turning on a computer and logging in.
 Using a mouse.
 Recognizing basic computer icons.
 Saving documents and changing file sizes.
 Understanding computer and network storage.
 Creating, organizing, and manipulating shortcuts.
 Identifying and employing basic features of an operating system.
 Creating and maintaining files and folders.

Inquiry & Innovation

 Evaluate the suitability of software applications for completing a

specific task.
 Use a variety of electronic formats such as web publishing, oral
presentations, journals, and multimedia presentations to summarize
and communicate results.
 How to use spreadsheets & databases
  Students understand that spreadsheets, databases, and other similar
digital tools are used to collect, organize, process, analyze, and visualize
real-world data.
 Create, edit, and publish documents that demonstrate effective
formatting (e.g. font, color, orientation, alignment, margins, spacing) for
specific audiences.
 Create documents for specific purposes including content for a web
page, resumes, business letters, and multi-page papers with citations
for school assignments.
 Leverage intermediate features in word processing application (e.g.
tabs, indents, headers and footers, end notes, bulleting and numbering,
tables).
Evaluate for organization, content, formatting, and appropriateness of
citations to maximize accuracy and design.

Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

 Students use technology to solve problems, think critically, and make

well-informed decision.
 Determine what is known and what needs to be known regarding a
problem in order to solve or complete a task.
 Being able to create and interpret visual representations such as
flowcharts and diagrams to organize data, find patterns, make
predictions, or test solutions.
 To collect data or find relevant data sets, analyze them using digital
tools, and present data in a variety of ways to aid the learning process.
 Examine and apply current technical features into new designs.
 Using proper vocabulary suitable with the intended audience and
purpose, describe, justify, and record data processing and solutions.

Online Communication, Collaboration, and Research

Internet Usage- Facilitate communication, research, and collaboration with

digital tools.
Online Communication- the perception towards using social media
platforms to become effective users

 Be polite and respectful in all digital communications.

 Describe and practice “etiquette” when communicating and sharing
information online.
Online Research- be mindful of the information to be used taken from the
internet.

 Use search strategies to acquire and organize media and digital content
through information sourcing.
 Evaluate resources for validity, accuracy, relevance, and credibility.
 Analyze and explain how media and technology can be used to distort,
exaggerate, and misrepresent information.
Online Collaboration- Recognize and protect yourself from the risks and
perils of online communication and community engagement.

Digital Citizenship

Characteristics of Digital Citizenship

Respect – Treating others with respect in any Social Networking Sites or
Media platform and never cyber bullies.
Educate Themselves – The use of any digital tools for advance learning and
keeps up with changing and discovering new technologies.
Responsible Purchases – Responsible in purchasing online and protects
payment information.
Protects Personal Information – Protects personal information from outside
forces that might cause harm.
Does not steal – Does not damage or steal other's digital work, identity and
property.

Elements of Digital Citizenship

1. Digital Access
This refers to a person‘s full electronic participation in society. This
includes access to tools and technologies such as internet and
computer that allows a person to access digitally.

2. Digital Commerce
This refers to selling and buying things online, understanding how e-
commerce works is a must for both customer and entrepreneur in
transacting of goods and money online.

3. Digital Communication
The process of exchanging information online.
 4. Digital literacy
This is the process of teaching and learning about technology and the
use of technology.

5. Digital Etiquette
Electronic standard of conduct or procedures

6. Digital Law
Electronic responsibility for actions and deeds

7. Digital Rights and responsibilities

The right of digital citizen to have privacy, free speech and etc. In which
the basic digital right of a persons must be addressed, discussed and
understood.

8. Digital Health and Wellness

This is all about a person's physical and psychological well- being in a
digital technology world, Technology users are taught how to protect
themselves through education and training.

9. Digital Security
Electronic precaution to guarantee safety, examples of this is having a
back up for data and creating a strong password.

Examples of Digital Citizenship

1. Think Critically
Being a wise online is a must for online users, thinking critically and
clearly is at the heart of any form of citizenship, thinking critically includes
avoiding cognitive bias and logical fallacies , fact- checking information and
not easily trust people online.

2. Monitor
Checking the net effect of your activity online it’s either the effect of
online on you or how you affect things online.
3. Respond
Responding to a question with a full background knowledge to answer,
this refers to responding with respect despite the difference of ideas of both
parties.

4. Contribute
Adding helpful information to a discussion or wiki page or in any social
networking site.

5. Cite
Acknowledging the reference of the original source of information to
avoid plagiarizing.

6. Elevate
Raising the tone of discussion that are done online, example is having
an online discussion on YouTube or Quora, another thing would be
responding with wisdom and kindness to rudeness and name- calling.

7. Protect
Protecting someone from cyberbullying, also by protecting your
personal information digitally, also, this is the act of letting someone at the
site who has a technical vulnerability to protect /secure his /her account by
creating strong password.

8. Clarity
Clarify first someone else's point before attempting to counterpart
during an online debate.

9. Help
Whenever possible whether or wiki Social media platform, website
comment section or somewhere else where help is needed, may it be online or
off.
10. Assume the Best
In virtual interactions, assuming the best in other people can be good
digital citizenship.

11. Consider
Considering ideas from other perspectives is invaluable to emphatic.

12. Report
If something needs reported like dangerous behavior, bullying, suicide
threats, violence, find out who are involved in that matter and reporting it is
an act of being good digital citizenship.

13. Share
Sharing content on social media that are helpful to others is an act of
good digital citizenship, also by sharing your talents, passion or expertise
might can entertain and inspire others

14. Thank
Thanking your friends online for their time you spent together, for their
efforts and contribution that adds on the joy in your life.

15. Update
Updating intelligently your technological tools /applications is an
example of being a good digital citizen.

16. Verify
Resisting social media – based “attacks” based on events you don’t
know or you lack of expertise about.

17. Secure
Securing your information online, creating strong password, using
secure website, maintaining possession and control of your mobile.
18. Read Carefully
Reading carefully and with comprehension on information online
ensure you to know the exact information to avoid the text being misled or
misunderstood.

19. Double-check
Being sure to properly contextualize even “truths” is actually an
example of good digital citizenship.

20. Support
Supporting other by sending positive thoughts, sharing ideas and giving
encouragement that may inspire them.

Learning Activity:
1. Create a scenario that shows characteristics of Digital citizenship.
2. As a social media user, in what way you can apply the good digital
citizenship?
3. What is meant to be a good digital citizen?
4. As a digital citizen, what can you do to secure your information online?
5. Why is Internet society so important?
Sources:

https://equip.learning.com/digital-skills-list

https://blog.neolms.com/the-9-elements-of-digital-citizenship-your-
students-need-to-know/
https://www.digitaltechnologieshub.edu.au/teachers/topics/digital-
citizenship
https://www.teachthought.com/the-future-of-learning/examples-digital-
citizenship/