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Digital Literacy: Skills for Navigating a Digital World

The digital environment is like a universe of its own, and those who engage in its territories should educate themselves about its rules and its lack thereof. In this world where people and their ideas interact, it is important to use technology responsibly, respectfully, and critically. Most of us encounter information in its digital form regularly on the internet, in our coursework, jobs, and through social media. Through technology, information is stored and shared. Digital SkillsIt's important in our modern world to know how to access, use, and produce digital information. While digital literacy encompasses basic technology skills, it's much more than that. Consuming and producing digital information effectively requires one to have critical thinking, communication, and relationship skills too. Here are the digital skills that Forbes Magazine (Marr, 2022) says that we need to participate in the digital world: Keeping on top of emerging new technologies Understanding what tech is available and how it can be used Using digital devices, software, and applications – at work, in educational settings, and in our everyday lives Communicating, collaborating, and sharing information with other people using digital tools Staying safe and secure in a digital environmentPrivacy and SecurityLots of information about our lives is stored in the form of digital information and is vulnerable to being accessed and shared by people who don't have permission to access it. Some of this permissionless access is inadvertent while other access is intentional and malicious. As our digital footprints have expanded and our use of technology grows, it becomes increasingly important to learn how to protect our personal information. Fortunately, there are ways to minimize our risks and to maximize our security in the digital realm.Here are some tips (Wamsley, 2020):Minimize the amount of information you share and have stored onlineMake sure that you have strong passwordsDon't click on links in texts or emails that come from "weird domains"Change your privacy settingsDownload security updatesUse encrypted apps for messagingCheck out the South College Library's Information Literacy Research Guide to learn more about increasing your digital literacy.Featured Library ResourcesDigital Keywords: A Vocabulary of Information Society and Culture by Benjamin PetersPublication Date: 2018Digital Keywords gathers pointed, provocative short essays on more than two dozen keywords by leading and rising digital media scholars from the areas of anthropology, digital humanities, history, political science, philosophy, religious studies, rhetoric, science and technology studies, and sociology. Digital Keywords examines and critiques the rich lexicon animating the emerging field of digital studies.Paradoxes of Media and Information Literacy : The Crisis of Information by Jutta Haider and Olof SundinPublication Date: 2022Haider and Sundin question what we accept as truth, fact, and knowledge—and how those ideas shape our ability to write, think, and communicate. In an age of information overload, this book digs into what it really means to be media literate and explores how power, perception, and literacy interact in the digital age. Credo Reference and Ebooks This link opens in a new window Credo Reference cover 11,000+ reference topics from all major academic subject areas and is a great starting point for research. Entries include images, quotations, audio files, videos, ebooks and full text articles on a variety of topics. In addition to reference topics, Credo includes over 700 academic reference books. Credo's Nursing and Allied Health Collection provides access to 23 current nursing ebooks. SourcesMarr, Bernard. (2022, July 22). The 4 digital skills everyone will need for the future. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/bernardmarr/2022/07/22/the-4-digital-skills-everyone-will-need-for-the-future-of-work/?sh=3d102c0aa7e2Wamsley, L. (2020, October 13). Your technology Is tracking you. Take these steps for better online privacy. NPR. https://www.npr.org/2020/10/09/922262686/your-technology-is-tracking-you-take-these-steps-for-better-online-privacy...

August's Featured Ebooks

Did you know that the South College Library offers students, faculty, and staff access to over 100,000 eBooks? This August, we’re celebrating books that connect us to joy, curiosity, and the powerful peace that comes from expressing ourselves clearly. Whether you’re exploring the roots of democracy, unlocking the magic of your own thoughts through writing, or seeking the courage to write your truth, our collection has something to inspire you. Writing well doesn’t begin with perfection—it begins with understanding. Let this month’s selections remind you that clarity, expression, and connection are all within reach. Political Grammars: The Unconscious Foundations of Modern Democracy by Davide Tarizzo What if the way we talk about “we the people” is more important than we think? Political Grammars examines how identity, language, and unconscious cultural structures shape the very idea of democracy. With a unique mix of philosophy, linguistics, and political theory, this book helps readers think more clearly about what unites and divides us. A compelling read for students interested in political science, communication, or how grammar shapes our sense of self and society. Writing and Desire: Queer Ways of Composing by Jonathan Alexander This beautifully reflective book shows how writing can be a radical act of self-expression, especially for queer and trans writers. Writing and Desire blends personal reflection and theory to examine how the act of writing reveals our deepest hopes for a better world. For any student who’s ever struggled to find their voice, this book reminds us that our longing, creativity, and identity can all live on the page. It's a powerful meditation on the emotional and political possibilities of writing. Exploratory Writing: Everyday Magic for Life and Work by Alison Jones Writing doesn’t have to be perfect—it just must be yours. Exploratory Writing makes the case for writing as a tool for self-discovery, decision-making, and joy. With quick and accessible prompts, this book helps you unlock your creativity and clarify your thinking in just minutes a day. It’s a great pick for students who want to reduce stress, spark ideas, and build confidence in their writing process. Paradoxes of Media and Information Literacy: The Crisis of Information by Jutta Haider & Olof Sundin In an age of information overload, this book digs into what it really means to be media literate. Paradoxes of Media and Information Literacy questions what we accept as truth, fact, and knowledge—and how those ideas shape our ability to write, think, and communicate. It’s essential reading for students in media, education, or library science, and anyone curious about how power, perception, and literacy interact in the digital age. What the Science of Reading Says About Writing by Jennifer Jump & Hillary Wolfe Want to understand the science behind how we learn to write? This practical guide offers research-based strategies for teaching writing with clarity and purpose. Though written for educators, it’s also valuable for students who want to understand how strong writing habits are built—and how reading and writing support each other. A great foundational resource for future teachers and lifelong learners alike. The Art and Architecture of Academic Writing by Patricia Prinz & Birna Arnbjörnsdóttir This book is a blueprint for academic writing success—especially for multilingual students or those new to scholarly English. The Art and Architecture of Academic Writing offer clear structure (the “architecture”) while also encouraging writers to develop voice and style (the “art”). With a focus on practice and process, it’s a great choice for students to look to improve their academic writing in a way that feels both structured and expressive. You can find these and more through the South College Library’s digital collection—where writing becomes a practice of peace, discovery, and connection. Whether you’re exploring your voice, building new habits, or unlocking the wonder of words, let this month’s reads remind you: you don’t have to write perfectly to write powerfully. Your story matters—and we’re here to help you tell it. ...

Writing With Confidence Starts Here

In all honesty, we know writing can be stressful. Whether you’re trying to meet a page count, trying to sound like you know what you’re talking about, or just trying to put your commas in the right place, it’s easy to start feeling overwhelmed and discouraged. But the truth is - you’re not a bad writer, you just don’t know all the rules yet. And that we can definitely work with. Grammar isn’t there just to trip you up. It’s meant to make your writing more clear and powerful. Once you cover a few basics, the whole process starts to feel a lot less like pulling teeth. That’s where your friendly online library database steps in. We’ve got a full Grammar Resources Guide to help build your confidence, learn the rules, and write your papers with minimal stress. So, what exactly is grammar? Cambridge Dictionary defines grammar as “the rules about how words change their form and combine with other words to make sentences.” In other words, it’s how your ideas get translated into something others can understand. If you’ve ever had a teacher say “good idea, but it’s a little unclear,” grammar might be the missing link. What’s in the guide? A little bit of everything. Our librarians have pulled together some of our best resources and tools to help you demystify grammar, writing styles, and citations. Perfect for use whether you’re just brushing up before turning a paper in or doing a deep dive to feel more confident in your everyday writing. Here’s a sneak peek of what’s in store: Grammarly This free tool is a writing lifesaver. It checks your grammar, punctuation, and spelling, and gives suggestions to help you sound more polished without changing your voice. You can even download the browser extension to help with emails and discussion boards. eBooks + Print Books We’ve got books that break grammar down in a visual, easy-to-follow way. Some of our favorites include: The Infographic Guide to Grammar (colorful and visual — perfect for quick understanding) Write Right! (concise and packed with examples) Sentence Skills (great for practice and review) Strategies for Successful Writing (covers grammar and research strategies) AMA Manual of Style and other formatting guides Not sure where to find these? The guide has location info and links, and if you're stuck, a librarian can always help. Writing Tools Whether you’re writing a research paper, a discussion post, or even an email to your professor, we’ve got tips and tools to make sure you’re saying what you really mean. The guide includes help with sentence structure, clarity, tone, and punctuation. APA or AMA? Different programs may use different citation styles, and switching between them can be confusing. Our guides break down APA and AMA formats with examples, plus shows you how to properly cite your sources because avoiding plagiarism is just as important as writing a strong paper. You’re not in this alone Grammar doesn’t have to feel intimidating. We built this guide to make writing easier and to take some of the guesswork out of the process. Whether you’re trying to improve your sentence structure, avoid plagiarism, learn the difference between APA and AMA, or just stop second-guessing your comma placement, it’s all covered. And if you ever get stuck or want one-on-one help, reach out to a librarian. We're happy to walk through things with you, help you find a resource, or just give you a boost when you’re feeling stuck. So don’t let grammar be the thing that holds your writing back. Learn the rules, get the tools, and take your writing to the next level, with a little help from your library. ...

Summer Sweepstakes Winner!

We're excited to announce Lauren Jones as the winner of the Library's Summer Sweepstakes! Lauren has won a $10 Amazon gift card. Lauren's name was randomly selected from all eligible entries. Didn't win this time? Subscribe to the library blog today to stay informed of future library outreach events and more. ...

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