Digital technology and technical skills focus on how you understand, use, and create digital systems and tools effectively and responsibly. This category encompasses technical skills such as programming and data analysis, but also being able to use digital platforms (such as Zoom or Instagram) and using digital technology ethically.
You can see a full list of the skills included in this category at the bottom of this page.
Everyone uses these skills in their everyday lives. Even if you're not planning to go into a technical career such as software engineering, most professional roles will involve using digital tools.
Think about how you use technology in your life and academic studies, and reflect on which skills you are developing using the list at the bottom of this page. Use the Skills Discovery Tool to evaluate your skills.
Easy ways to get started
These skills can be developed through everyday activities. You could try:
- Exploring new digital tools for your studies - try different note-taking apps or research databases to find what works best for you.
- Practicing digital security habits by using strong passwords, enabling two-factor authentication, and being mindful of what you share online.
- Organising your digital files - keeping your documents organised on your computer or Google Drive will help you find what you need faster and stop you losing important files.
Skills development opportunities
If you're looking to drive your skills in this area further, here are some suggestions:
- Apply for committee roles such as Webmaster or IT Officer on your College's JCR/MCR or for a society. If web development isn't your thing, look for social media roles to build your digital marketing and Canva skills.
- Try out the JISC Digital UIS Training courses. There's a range of options from beginner to advanced, covering subjects as varied as digital citizenship, AI and Photoshop.
- If you already have strong technical skills, you could participate in hackathons or hack sessions. Keep an eye on department and society newsletters for these events. You could also contribute to open source projects on GitHub.
- Choose papers with the opportunity to learn technical skills like R and MATLAB if you're doing a STEM subject.
- If you're a Humanities or Social Sciences student, try out workshops at CRASSH or Cambridge Digital Humanities to explore how to integrate digital methods into your research.
- Start creating mods or custom content for your favourite video games. Search on forums and YouTube for guides on how to get started.
- Get involved in technical theatre as a sound or lighting designer and learn how to use a range of digital tools and software whilst being creative. Check out the CUADC role guides or attend a CUADC tech workshop to get started.
Check out the activities pages for more ideas on how to get involved and develop your skills in this area.
|
Skill |
Definition |
|
Coding skills and languages |
The ability to understand programming languages (e.g., to fix errors in code, solve IT problems, or create new software features). |
|
Computational and algorithmic thinking |
The ability to analyse real-world problems by breaking them into smaller and logical steps and creating models that are easily executable by a computer. |
|
Cybersecurity literacy |
The ability to understand and effectively protect oneself and others against online threats and risks (e.g., phishing attacks, malware infections, or data breaches). |
|
Data analysis and statistics |
The ability to analyse large volumes of data using analytical methods, discerning patterns and trends, and generating statistical insights into the data. |
|
Data literacy |
The ability to understand ways of creating, collecting, validating, and storing data and be able to communicate them in a meaningful way. |
|
Data management |
The ability to gather, organise, and store data in a way it can be analysed and visualised for making informed decisions. |
|
Digital collaboration |
The ability to collaborate with others across virtual channels (e.g., email, video calls, file-sharing platforms, content creation software, etc.). |
|
Digital ethics |
The ability to use and engage in the digital world and online relationships responsibly while considering ethical impacts (e.g., privacy, accountability). |
|
Digital learning |
The ability to acquire knowledge and skills through digital tools (e.g., websites, e-books, online communities, etc..) and identify the most reliable resources. |
|
Digital literacy |
The ability to utilise digital tools to find, critically evaluate, create and communicate information via digital media platforms, popular software, or AI. |
|
Digital marketing/social media |
The ability to use social media and other online channels to reach, inform, and engage with an audience. |
|
Fostering Inclusiveness |
The ability to appreciate diverse points of view and provide access and respect to individuals of any orientation and background. |
|
Information seeking |
The ability to identify missing information and assess the most efficient place or resources where to look for answers. |
|
Integrity & Ethical behaviour |
The ability to be honest and show a consistent adherence to strong moral and ethical principles that guide one in any situation. |
|
Logical reasoning |
The ability to draw conclusions, make judgements, and accept or reject certain information based on logical evaluation of facts and arguments. |
|
Programming literacy |
The ability to understand the principles of software development, machine learning, coding, or data visualisation. |
|
Structured problem solving |
The ability to solve complex problems by breaking them into parts, identifying the root causes of each issue, and applying analytical techniques to find solutions. |
|
Systems Evaluation |
The ability to identify measures and indicators of system performance and the actions needed to improve or correct its performance. |
|
Tech translation and enablement |
The ability to foster collaboration between technical and non-technical domains or teams and use technology to add value to a project. |
|
Technology design and programming |
The ability to create or adapt a piece of software or technology equipment to serve user needs. |
|
Technology use, monitoring and control |
The ability to assess indicators of a system and control operations to ensure correct and smooth running. |
|
Web development |
The ability to build and maintain websites. |
|
Working with accuracy |
The ability to perform tasks correctly, accurately and with detail orientation. |