DIGITAL LITERACY SKILLS GUIDE

Introduction to digital literacy skills

WHAT IS DIGITAL LITERACY AND WHY IT IS IMPORTANT TO HAVE THE SKILLS

Digital literacy refers to having the ability and skills needed to live and work in a society where you can use various technologies critically and creatively to solve any problem and meet any demands in life while learning the ability to work efficiently in a digital world or society when creating, consuming and distributing content. The importance of digital literacy skills are important because an individual has to able to live and adapt, as well as work in a society and world whereby access and communication is increasingly through multimedia convergence with digital technologies.

PRACTICAL AND INSIGHTFUL GUIDELINES ON DIGITAL MEDIA CONVERGENCE TECHNOLOGIES FOR DIGITAL CONTENT CREATION

The importance on the ability to create content using digital literacy is significant, especially when wanting to create efficient work that looks professional. Therefore the fast growing into the new digital age whereby we move from old media such as radio and Television into new digitally media converged technologies such as smart phones, tablets, smart TVs, computers and smart devices as well as artificial intelligence.

There are new innovative ways to create content which can all be done using a smartphone in this new digital era, so understanding and having skills such as camera angles and camera shorts, lighting, all necessary equipment such as microphones and USB etc. An individual also needs to identify and understand the type of content he/she wants to create and put out there whether it could be for a podcast, social media platforms or streaming sites, so understanding the type of content with the format type is important, for example creating video formatted content on the awareness for the Palestine across all social media platforms. In addition planning is required for your content to be as professional and efficient as possible as well as authentic to you as the creator.

PRACTICAL AND INSIGHTFUL GUIDELINES ON DIGITAL CONSUMPTION OF CONTENT OVER DIGITAL MEDIA CONVERGENCE TECHNOLOGIES

The way people consume content as well as the type of content people consume in this new digital age has change compared to how people use to consume content in the past which was just limited to articles such as magazines and newspapers as well as radio and normal Television viewing. People have now moved into new media such consuming media from radio to podcasting, normal TV viewing to streaming sites which is available not only on smart TVs but as well as your smart phone, computers, laptops and tablets which gives a person the luxury to consume content anytime and anywhere. As well as receiving news and updates on the internet and social media platforms rather than just a newspaper or magazines.

So when consuming information as an individual knowing and understanding all the various digital literacy skills is important due to the vast complex multiple technologies and media platforms. Therefore as an individual when consuming content you should also know what type of content you like and would prefer to consume as well as the various media platforms and technologies to access all the content. For example listening to a podcast whether it is audio format and is available on Spotify from your smartphone to a smart TV or video format podcast available on Yotube from a smartphone to a smart TV. Therefore in this new digital age there are multiple ways and platforms that can be used to consume content and we are spoiled for choice.

PRACTICAL AND INSIGHTFUL GUIDELINES ON DIGITAL MEDIA CONVERGENCE TECHNOLOGIES FOR CONTENT DISTRIBUTION

When distributing content on multimedia technologies you need to be critical and strategic about it. Identifying the format in which you want to distribute your content and on which platform with the type of technology is also crucial, however all of this can be done with a smart phone thanks to the new digital age. All of this requires professional and efficient digital literacy skills. For example when distributing content that has been filmed or created with a smart phone that is in video format, finding the best platform is important, which is Youtube to distribute your video formatted content. Then other platforms such as TikTok, twitter or Facebook can be used as a marketing strategy to promote your videos that are available on Youtube, this requires smart digital literacy skills whereby you can post shorttrailers of your full video that will grab the viewer’s attention and will lead to them going to the platform whereby they can access the full video, this will require you as the distributor to provide a guide on how to that and the best options is by providing a link that will land them to the exact page.

Here are digital literacy skills that an individual could use in the multi-media convergence world when creating consuming and distributing content

Due to a new digital world that we are moving into that is growing and evolving a rapid rate every individuals need to have digital literacy skills in order to survive and handle any assignment or problem that maybe headed your way. An individual needs these skills in order to survive the digital world and potentially look into taking it as a career path and get compensated for your knowledge and skills. These skills include building a website, digital skills on social media, podcasting and editing.

Digital literacy skills

Website Building

Social Media Skills

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Podcasting

The importance of a website presence is significant when creating, consuming and distributing content, especially when opening a small business or if you provide any services, therefore a website is crucial for your consumers and all of this requires you to have the digital literacy skills to build a website. Rather than having to pay an agency or someone else to build your website instead learn and know how to build your own website with your digital literacy skills and all of this can be done with just a smartphone although preferably a laptop or computer and you can do all of this for free. This Youtube link below explains why should have a website, how to create a website and what to do with it once you have one

Here are 5 steps on how to maintain an efficient and reliable website

Obtain a good domain
Display clear description of your business
Create content that is memorable, interesting and engaging
Optimize your website for search engines
Implement a website maintenance plan

The importance of understanding Social Media with digital literacy skills in the digital world

Due to the multiple social media platforms knowing and understanding how to use each platform is important especially when creating consuming and distributing content. The ones that are famously known are:

Linkedin which is mainly used for business, finding the right job and connecting on a professional level.
Facebook, which is used to connect people, friends and family with their personal social networks to share their photos, videos and updates on their lives. With 2 Billion users watch video for 8 Billion average daily views.
Instagram, which is used to share photos and videos as well as following their friends and favourite influencers, while mainly sharing their highlight reels. With 1 Billion active monthly users,
Twitter known as X now, which is use to share ideas, current affairs and news as well as real life information and is mainly text format although one can share videos and photos. With 321 million monthly user.
Tik Tok, which is to share videos and current dance and music challenges that are trending all in video format, although one can share photos it is mainly video formatted content. With 1.7 Billion monthly user for the year 2023
Youtube, it is used to share mainly videos, although images can be distributed on the platform. Youtube uses video format to share videos that can both be in formational or entertaining. And has over 2 Billion viewers.

Having the knowledge and digital literacy skills to maintain a social media presence is important in order to keep up with the digital world, for your own purpose either when consuming, creating and distributing content or for business purposes it could also be for personal gain and knowledge just to stay updated. This youtube video explains the importance of maintain a social media presence in this digital age

Podcasting and the importance of digital literacy skills in podcasting

Podcasting is presumed to be the future of radio, there having the knowledge on digital literacy skills when it comes to podcasting is important in this new digital age as it is evolving and growing at a rapid rate. Although there is still an audience for traditional radio content consumption people have now moved to new innovative ways of listening to radio such as online radio which requires internet as well as the more popular one which is podcasting. Podcasting is an audio formatted way of listening to content although you can also find it in video format such as a South African podcaster known as MacG who owns the most famous and viewed podcast in the continent and he moved from radio into podcasting. This video shows step by step on how to record a podcast as well as the tools, skills and equipment needed need.

Audio editing

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Audio editing

Learning how to edit a podcast or any other audio format is as important as knowing how to record one. This ensures that your digital literacy skills when it comes to editing any audio format. These skills can be used to face any challenge that may come your way in this digital age when it comes to editing audio and will ensure ownership of all your work with the possibility to monetise on your digital skills as there will be a demand for audio editing skills in the digital world as it evolves and a platform whereby you can learn and understand these skills is on

Planning and Production skills

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Production, Pre-Production and Post-Production planning. These steps will allow you to execute all your projects or successfully and efficiently when they are followed correctly.

Pre-production Planning

Pre-production refers to the planning stage of creating your content these steps will help ensure that all the digital literacy skills needed are efficient. Here are some tips to look at when planning the creation of your content:

Script, if your content requires a script make sure it is prepared and rehearsed before shooting your content
Story board, refers to the vision you have for your content
Shot list, refers to the list of your camera shots and camera angles, the order and number of your shots
Location, the setting of where the shoot is going to take place
Gear, refers to all the equipment you are going to need when shooting or recording your content
Crew, refers to the all the people you need in order to create your content
Final specifications, refers to where will people access your content on radio, TV or social media?
Budget, does you production have or need a budget, this should all be planned out with a final amount

Production

These are the things a person would need when creating content which wold help in order to execute the digital literacy skills that are needed:

Camera option, refers to the type of cameras you will need is DSLR or even your smart phone, lenses, point-and-shooter, consumer and pro video camera
SD cards, refers to the amount and type of memory holder stick a person might need when storing content
Audio equipment, this refers to the type of audio recorders or microphones needed
Lighting equipment, this refers to the type of lighting required whether it’s Led, a ring light or natural lighting.

Post-production

Post-production refers the stages after the actual production stage and also refers to the editing stages here are some of the requirements:

Editing software. This refers to the industry standards and the editing software used is it free or affordable
Harddrives or storage inputs needed
Music and ambience songs
Exporting your projects and formatting

Video editing

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VIDEO EDITING

Finding the best video editing software that is preferably free is important, as well as the best video editing steps in digital literacy. And here are some of the features to look for when looking for a video editing software:

Ability to add text, ability to trip and crop videos, ability to add filters and overlays, ability to change aspect ratio and scene transition.

In addition finding the best, simplest and reliable videos editing software can be hard however here are a few video editing software that you could use when editing your project and with all the features that you will need all for free.

Wave.video, Camtasie, Imovie, Vimeo create and Hitfilm express just to name a few. Therefore when developing and using your digital literacy skills to produce and edit video content it is also important to know how to edit your own work to the best of your ability and how you would like your finished product to be rather than having to pay someone else to edit your work or use editing software that requires fees.

Distribution Skills

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Distribution of content in multimedia convergence on digital literacy skills

When distributing content you have to be strategic when it comes to how, when and where you want to distribute your content, the platforms at which you would like to distribute your content, as well as being strategic when selected. Therefore Social Media is the best platform for distributing content as it is free for both you as the distributor and for your consumers. Therefore this requires an individual to have digital literacy skills and understand how to use each social media platform with purpose. Here are just a few platforms to consider when distributing content:

Facebook, Facebook is the most used social media platform in the world and is appropriate for all age groups even up to 60+ years. People use Facebook to connect with friends and family as well as to post pictures and videos, while being connected to friends and family and keeping them updated. Therefore you should consider Facebook when distributing content that is user friendly and for all age groups.
Twitter, is a popular platform that is used to share ideas, interesting topics and current affairs that are currently trending and is normally uses text or article format, although you can post images and video content that is uncensored. So when wanting to distribute content without any limits to speech and age restrictions twitter is the best platform for that. In addition twitter has 321 million user, so spreading the word is going to be simple when done properly with the correct hashtags.
Instagram, is a popular platform as well where people post their highlight reels most as well as images to a larger extent, however people also use Instagram to follow their favourite influencers, and it is mostly common amongst the youth going upwards and is a great platform to grow and market your business or content for free or even getting compensated.
Youtube, is one of the biggest and most popular platforms mainly for video content and it is also used for podcasting therefore it is growing and is the best platform to distribute video content.