Online Training Courses
A curated list of recommended online training courses on digital safety and citizenship, available to all University of Edinburgh students and staff.
University of Edinburgh Digital Skills Framework
Digital identity and wellbeing form one of the six digital capabilities that make up the University’s Digital Skills Framework. For a holistic approach to developing your digital skills and using technology safely and efficiently, we recommend that you build your knowledge and skills across all six capabilities.
The framework is a tool to help you evaluate your current levels of digital capability, reflect on your development needs, plan your development path and find resources to help you develop your skills. It can be used by all staff and students at the University including learners, teachers, researchers and professional services staff and is closely based on the Jisc Digital Capability Framework.
The framework includes access to the Jisc Digital Discovery Tool, an online self-assessment questionnaire that helps you evaluate and reflect on your digital capabilities, including digital wellbeing, by identifying strengths and areas for development. Using this tool will also help you identify the gaps in your digital skillset that might leave you vulnerable to digital safety threats.
University of Edinburgh Information Services Training Courses
The following courses have been developed by the University of Edinburgh Information Services Group.
Digital Identity and Wellbeing
This toolkit is offered as part of the University’s Digital Skills and Training Framework, which emphasises Digital Identity and Wellbeing as one of its six main digital capabilities.
Digital Identity and Wellbeing Toolkit
23 Things
23 Things is a self-directed University of Edinburgh course that familiarises you with modern online technologies. "Thing 4" specifically highlights Digital Security. You can do this module independently, though we recommend completing the full course.
23 Things - Thing 4: Digital Security
University of Edinburgh Courses on Learn
The following online courses are available through self-enrolment on the University’s online learning environment, Learn.
Information Security Essentials
This University of Edinburgh course takes you through the necessary steps for protecting your own data and safeguarding yourself against online threats. The course is compulsory for all staff and highly recommended for all students.
Information Security Essentials
Data Protection Training
Under the University's Data Protection Policy, all staff have responsibility for data protection compliance in their day-to-day work. This course, provided by the University's Data Protection Officer, is compulsory for all University staff and highly recommended for students.
Preparing for Study
The Preparing for Study online course sets you up with the core skills you need to make the most of hybrid learning. The course covers five key topics, one of which is Digital Safety and Citizenship. Through this module, you will be able to explain the importance of digital safety, how to protect yourself online, and how to be a good digital citizen.
MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses)
The following MOOCs (Massive Online Open Courses) are available through the University’s web partners, Coursera and FutureLearn.
Digital Footprint
If somebody Googled you, what would they find? This course, developed by the University’s Institute for Academic Development, gives you the opportunity to explore and reflect on your own online tracks and traces and to understand why your digital footprint is important.
Managing Your Digital Footprint (Coursera)
Digital Wellbeing
Developed by the University of York, this MOOC explores the ways digital technologies affect our wellbeing through the concepts of health, relationships and society in the digital age.
Digital Wellbeing (FutureLearn)
Becoming a Digital Citizen
Developed by the University of York, this MOOC enables you to become a more informed digital citizen and engage with debate about what is appropriate in the modern world of social media.
Becoming a Digital Citizen: An Introduction to Digital Society (FutureLearn)
Introduction to Cyber Security
Developed by the Open University, this MOOC looks at the online services that we use every day and offers essential cyber security knowledge and skills to help protect your digital life.
Introduction to Cyber Security (FutureLearn)
LinkedIn Learning Courses
The following courses are available through LinkedIn Learning (formerly Lynda.com), which is available free for all students and staff at the University.
For information on how to create an account, please visit our LinkedIn Learning pages below.
LinkedIn Learning Guidance (Digital Skills and Training)
Digital Citizenship
This course takes you through what it means to be a good digital citizen and how we can use technology in the most appropriate and respectful ways to build community on the Internet.
Internet Safety for Students
This course examines the nature of Internet-based threats and outlines essential internet safety skills for students. It comes highly recommended by the University Information Security directorate.
Cyber Security Awareness: Safer Digital Communications
This course helps you identify and avoid dangerous situations online and improve the security of your computers and network. It is designed to increase your internet safety knowledge and give you safer digital communication habits.
Cyber Security Awareness: Safer Digital Communications
Learning Computer Security and Internet Safety
This beginner’s guide to cybersecurity focuses on Windows and helps you identify various threats to your online safety. Learn how you can safeguard your data and devices and protect your privacy online.
Learning Computer Security and Internet Safety
© Victoria Madden, University of Edinburgh, 2020, CC BY-SA 4.0, unless otherwise indicated.