Digital Participation is defined as:

"Increasing the reach, breadth and depth of digital technology use across all sections of society, to maximise digital participation and the economic and social benefits it can bring."
Digital Britain – Final Report, June 2009

Many of us now take for granted a world of constant communication and of instant connection with the wider community. For many though there is a risk of being left behind, as we may not have the necessary skills to use these new technologies or indeed see the value they have within our everyday lives. However, Digital Skills are now seen as being as important as traditional literacy, language, numeracy and ICT learning.

"The changes that digital technologies bring require us to develop a new level of participation for a competitive digital knowledge economy and a modern democratic and fair 21st Century society. A Digital "Big Bang" will transform how we participate in a modern democracy, how we learn, how businesses operate, how we find jobs and how we do them, how we access our public services and how we develop our creativity, make the most of our free time and network with friends."
Digital Britain – Final Report, June 2009

What are the benefits of developing my Digital Skills?
The Internet provides an enormous amount of information on virtually every topic you can imagine and the vast majority is free to access. In fact the reason why search engines such as Google, bing, Yahoo and so on are so popular is because they help you quickly find what you need.

What would I use these skills for?
Many people now use the Internet to read reviews on goods and services before making a purchase - Tripadvisor being a popular example for holidays. Shopping and banking online have become a norm for many people, as has buying airline tickets, filling in application forms and job seeking. More and more of us are using Government services online like nidirect to renew car tax discs or find out about benefits.

Wikipedia is a famous online encyclopedia written by volunteers that can help you access information on a whole range of subjects and areas of interest.

Youtube and AudioBoo offer the user opportunities to upload video and audio content for others to view and listen to. Facebook, Twitter, myspace and Bebo allow you to socialise online and keep in contact with friends and family who you may not see on a regular basis. These social networking sites allow you to share everyday experiences, chat and upload photographs and video for friends and family to see.

How do I get started?
You can get started through this site by clicking on Your Digital Journey or the Login/Register buttons.