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Digital learning is transforming learning in the workplace. Tailored to individual needs, it can be used flexibly and individually, regardless of time and place. As a result, continuing education is no longer bound up with costly or time-consuming seminars or workshops. In particular employees who, due to various organisational factors, have thus far had little access to learning and continuing education, can make use of digital learning formats for this purpose and thereby improve their employability. However, the reality is often far removed from this ideal scenario. E-learning formats deliver far less success than desired, or are often not used at all. 

A frequent problem is that digital learning is often accompanied by new challenges for employees. Digital learning formats require a lot of self-guidance and a certain amount of media competence is a pre-requisite for using them. This entails much more than simply using devices, software and the internet. Equally important are, above all, the ability to deal with, reflect upon and question information, as well as possessing knowledge about various digital learning formats and how they can be applied. In other words, only those who are competent in dealing with digital media can benefit from them. Up to now, these fundamental issues have far too rarely been the subject of learning and continuing education content in an organisational context. 

Media competence as pre-requisite for digital learning

In the MeQ:ino – Medienqualifizierung: individuell und organisational [in German] project we focus primarily on those employees who have thus far had only little access to digital learning and work. For this purpose we draw on the following triad of strategies: encourage, empower and engage [in German]. The aim is to reduce the inhibitions and fears that people have before digital learning can be introduced in a company, and equip them with the competences they need. 

The basis for this is a concept of media competence that was developed as part of the project. It is based on the four dimensions set out by Baacke et al. (1999): Media knowledge, media criticism, media design and media use. These apply generally to various media as there was little direct reference to digital media at the time. However, precisely digital media require more specific media competences to meet the challenges posed. For this reason the four dimensions of media competence are specified with aspects that are particularly relevant for dealing with digital media (e.g. digital identity, digital security, digital communication, digital rights, etc.).

 
Learning nuggets for basic media education

Taking the idea of media competence as a starting point, learning nuggets were developed during the project for the purpose of improving employees’ media competence. These learning nuggets are intended to inform learners about fundamental issues and make them more competent when dealing with digital media. 

The learning nuggets form the second step (empower) of the above-mentioned triad and help to open up the world of learning with digital media. The individual learning nuggets impart basic competences when it comes to dealing with digital media. The main focus is on everyday competences, to make learners aware of links to their own experience and thus make entry into the world of digital learning easier. At the same time, the possibilities of digital learning formats are demonstrated by the various forms of the learning nuggets, which are far more than just explanatory videos or digital documents. 

Learn more about the learning nuggets in this short video. [in German]

The subject matter of the individual learning nuggets is always basic knowledge that is essential for the use of digital media.

1. Learning nugget: Secure passwords
   Secure passwords are essential when it comes to using the internet and digital media. However, creating a secure password is not always easy. This learning nugget explains what typical mistakes render a password insecure and how a good password can be remembered. To this end, learners have to search a picture for typical mistakes made when creating passwords. By clicking on the relevant spot, a brief explanation is shown in the form of an animated doodle video with tips concerning password security.  
2. Learning nugget: Golden rules for navigating the internet
   This learning nugget is designed as a game, in which you drive through a data tunnel while being regularly stopped by a police officer. A little picture story appears, accompanied by a brief rule regarding internet use. The aim is to make learners more aware of digital security, how to deal with their own sensitive data and also digital rights. 
3. Learning nugget: Dealing with fake news
   Digital information in particular requires a critical perspective and the checking of its veracity. In the style of a news studio, a light is shone on various formats such as fake news articles or videos, which often spread quickly online. Precisely what lies behind this fake news is revealed, as well as ways to unmask unreliable information by, for example, using reverse image search. 
4. Learning nugget: Suitable digital approaches
   It is not always easy to search for things online. When you enter a term in a search engine, you are immediately confronted with masses of information in various formats, ranging from articles and blogs to forums and videos. As well as identifying the pros and cons of these formats, tips are given on how to first of all to keep in mind exactly what you are looking for. Perhaps you want to know the opinion of another user or are seeking instructions for something. Whatever the case, it is important to consider in advance what exactly it is you want to know. In this way the online search can be more successful. 
5. Learning nugget: Collaborating and exchanging ideas with others on a virtual level
   Digital media are also transforming the way we collaborate with others. There are many ways to network, coordinate and exchange ideas with others digitally. The learning nugget uses an animated video to show how digital collaboration can be used, with examples drawn from various everyday situations. 

This approach explicitly focuses on employees and their competences. The triad of strategies helps employees along the path of digital learning. In particular the learning nuggets assist employees in acquiring their first digital competences. After all, what use are learning formats, the possibility to conduct research in the workplace, digital networks or digital processes in a company, if the skills required by employees to use these digital opportunities are not promoted in the first place? 

About the author

Over many years, Dipl.-Psych. Denise Gramß from the Hochschule für angewandtes Management [University of Applied Management] has conducted research into fundamental learning competences and digital learning in vocational education and training as well as learning processes in human-machine interaction. In the MeQ:ino project she is currently developing and shaping specialist concepts for describing and improving media competence and its implementation in various companies.

You can also read these articles about media competence:

2. Bamberger Forum für Erwachsenenbildung und Weiterbildung am 24.11.2018 [in German]

Open Educational Resources as a route to media educational competence for adult educators

#barcampepale "Medienkompetenz in der Erwachsenenbildung" [in German]