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/
Marias Learning Blog 
Great to see your blog is already in progress. Digital platforms and tools are first used to duplicate what we do in physical spaces and it takes a while before people really start widening their perspectives and discovering what new types of communication can be enabled using digital media.
GillaGilla
Thank you Alastair,
Indeed, awareness is raised through self-reflection.
Best regards,
Maria
GillaGilla
I am a digital immigrant too. The transition into digital world may not be too difficult to handle as you mentioned we kind of witness with grow of digital technology. But that does not mean it does not comes with challenges and I agree that there is a need to step out of your comfort zone in order to be well-transited.
GillaGilla
Hi Erica,
Indeed, and the experience we get from meeting new challenges helps us develop individually and collectively.
Thank you,
Maria
GillaGilla
Hi Maria, your interesting observations make me ponder whether there isn’t a difference between those who have possessed a social media presence since their childhood/ teenage years and those who come into this digital identity later: Are the ‘digital-since-the cradle’ more likely to project different personalities online and offline? At least I think (I like to think) that my online persona is almost exactly the same as my offline.
GillaGilla
Hi Anya,
I think that individuals that were introduced early to the digital world have had more time to play with digital tools and thus get acquainted with them in a more relaxed manner. On the contrary, previous generations have had to make use of digital tools almost directly in a real-life situation.
Thank you,
Maria
GillaGilla
I liked the part that you mentioned about tools previously used for private reasons are now used for professional purposes. This can be a real game-changer in the future. Even those that feel uncomfortable using digital tools are realizing the ease and benefits of having them in their professions now.
GillaGilla
Hi Maryam,
Yes, digital tools are thus used for new purposes, which in turn expands their meaning.
Best regards,
Maria
GillaGilla
Thanks for sharing your thoghts about devlopping a digital being parallel to the global digital revolution we we are witnessing and co-shaping. It’s a new thuoght for me and it leads me to the question what the devolpment of digitalisation is going to change our professional and personal being.
GillaGilla
Hi Irina,
thank you for your comment. I think we are in an ongoing digital development that gradually changes our everyday and professional life.
Best regards,
Maria
GillaGilla