Activities A-Z - Being Digital

Skills finder

Being digital activities cover the skills we all need to be effective online. Activities are short and easy to follow.

You can choose relevant activities by:

  • browsing through the A-Z list on this page
  • browsing by theme (i.e. Creating, Finding, Using, Workplace skills)
  • using the Skills finder to search for activities, if you have a clear idea of what you need

Using

Filtering, skimming and scanning, trust online, what you can re-use, evaluating online interactions, synthesising, managing your information, sharing.

The icon next to each activity helps you to identify the format used (e.g. video, activity, further reading).

Icon Key: AudioAudioVideoVideoExternalExternalFurther ReadingFurther ReadingActivityActivity

Anatomy of a Journal

Activity

How to identify the different elements which make up a journal and a journal article, and understand the role of peer review.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Anatomy of a Journal

Anatomy of a Journal (pdf)

Anatomy of a Journal (word)

Avoiding plagiarism

Audio

A podcast explaining what plagiarism is and how you can avoid it by developing skills in referencing and managing information efficiently.

This activity will take you: 4 minutes

Start Avoiding plagiarism

Screen reader users are advised to use the alternative Word or PDF version

Avoiding plagiarism (pdf)

Avoiding plagiarism (word)

Avoiding plagiarism video

Video

Bob discovers what plagiarism is and how he can avoid it. Transcript available.

This activity will take you: 2 minutes

Start Avoiding plagiarism video

Communicating online

Activity

Understanding the basics of effective online communication, or netiquette.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Communicating online

Communicating online (pdf)

Communicating online (word)

Deciding what to trust online

Activity

This activity will help you to develop some criteria for judging the accuracy and reliability of information you find online.

This activity will take you: 5 minutes

Start Deciding what to trust online

Deciding what to trust online (pdf)

Deciding what to trust online (word)

Developing a good digital footprint

Activity

This activity explains what a digital footprint is, and provides guidance on how to check on and improve your own digital footprint.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Developing a good digital footprint

Developing a good digital footprint (pdf)

Developing a good digital footprint (word)

Evaluation using PROMPT

Activity

Introduces the framework PROMPT, a set of criteria which can be used to evaluate information found online.

This activity will take you: 5 minutes

Start Evaluation using PROMPT

Evaluation using PROMPT (pdf)

Evaluation using PROMPT (word)

Introduction to referencing

Activity

An introduction to what referencing is, why it's important and what elements are included in a typical reference.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Introduction to referencing

Introduction to referencing (pdf)

Introduction to referencing (word)

Keeping up-to-date using online networking

Activity

Learn how online networks can help you keep up-to-date and be able to select an appropriate network for your needs.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Keeping up-to-date using online networking

Keeping up-to-date using online networking (pdf)

Keeping up-to-date using online networking (word)

Making the most of Twitter

Activity

How to make the most of Twitter for your purposes.

This activity will take you: 5 minutes

Start Making the most of Twitter

Making the most of Twitter (pdf)

Making the most of Twitter (word)

My digital identity

Activity

Be aware of who your audience is when posting in online spaces, and learn the basics of presenting yourself effectively.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start My digital identity

My digital identity (pdf)

My digital identity (word)

Recognising plagiarism

Activity

An introduction to plagiarism and some of the forms it can take.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Recognising plagiarism

Recognising plagiarism (pdf)

Recognising plagiarism (word)

Referencing books

Activity

Find out how to reference books in your writing and in your reference list.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Referencing books

Referencing books (pdf)

Referencing books (word)

Referencing ejournals

Activity

Find out how to reference ejournals in your writing and in your reference list.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Referencing ejournals

Referencing ejournals (pdf)

Referencing ejournals (word)

Referencing websites

Activity

Find out how to reference websites in your writing and in your reference list.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Referencing websites

Referencing websites (pdf)

Referencing websites (word)

Scams and hoaxes

Activity

Learn how to spot some of the signs of email scams.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Scams and hoaxes

Scams and hoaxes (pdf)

Scams and hoaxes (word)

Scanning and skimming a web page

Activity

Learn how to use techniques to help you to read online information more efficiently and quickly.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Scanning and skimming a web page

Scanning and skimming a web page (pdf)

Scanning and skimming a web page (word)

Selecting the right online tools

Activity

An introduction to some of the online tools available with questions to ask when choosing the right one.

This activity will take you: 5 minutes

Start Selecting the right online tools

Selecting the right online tools (pdf)

Selecting the right online tools (word)

Self-assessment: Understanding digital practices

Activity

A questionnaire to help you assess how familiar and confident you are with digital tools and online environments.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Self-assessment: Understanding digital practices

Self-assessment: Understanding digital practices (pdf)

Self-assessment: Understanding digital practices (word)

Self-assessment: Using information

Activity

A self assessment questionnaire to evaluate how confident you are in using information online, including evaluating what you find, acknowledging the work of others, and keeping track of your sources.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Self-assessment: Using information

Self-assessment: Using information (pdf)

Self-assessment: Using information (word)

Social networking: is it for me?

Activity

An introduction to the different types of social networking sites, including how to stay safe and secure when using them.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Social networking: is it for me?

Social networking: is it for me? (pdf)

Social networking: is it for me? (word)

Using Wikipedia

Activity

Some guidelines for judging the trustworthiness of information you find in Wikipedia.

This activity will take you: 5 minutes

Start Using Wikipedia

Using Wikipedia (pdf)

Using Wikipedia (word)

What plagiarism feels like

Activity

A reflection on the consequences of plagiarism in academic and working life.

This activity will take you: 5 minutes

Start What plagiarism feels like

What plagiarism feels like (pdf)

What plagiarism feels like (word)

Writing online

Activity

Tips on communicating effectively when writing online.

This activity will take you: 10 minutes

Start Writing online

Writing online (pdf)

Writing online (word)