Global Digital Literacy

Free Online Courses

People across the world can now gain valuable skills in using the internet, thanks to free courses from two of the global leaders in education and skills training. The mEducation Alliance and the online college, Alison.com, have teamed up to launch two global digital literacy courses that will give learners everywhere the skills they need to use online resources successfully – and certificates to prove it.  

Digital literacy means being able to interpret, communicate, and create information using websites, social media, emails and any other online format. 

Those taking the Global Digital Literacy and the Diploma in Global Digital Literacy courses will gain the knowledge and confidence they need for the 21st century workplace, as well as essential skills in navigating the digital personal and social environment. The courses cover basics of using email, search engines and social media and also how to keep your personal information secure, to avoid scams, and how to be a digital champion.

You can download the course infographic and slide deck for additional information or to share with your networks.

The Global Digital Literacy online course (approx. 1.5 – 3 hours of material) is a general overview of digital literacy. The Diploma in Global Digital Literacy is a longer course (approx. 15 hours of instruction) that provides a greater appreciation of digital literacy through multiple modules including: 

  • Introduction to Digital Literacy
  • Information and Data Literacy 
  • Digital Identity 
  • Communication and Collaboration 
  • Digital Content Creation 
  • Problem Solving 
  • Digital Safety and Security 
  • Digital Technologies and Change 

Both courses consist of asynchronous e-learning sequences, training content, specific toolkits to support theoretical learning and practical application of digital literacy core competencies, as well as assessment tools and videos from leading experts and global digital literacy champions from the field.

Global Digital Literacy Course
Diploma in Global Digital Literacy
"We are thrilled to partner with Alison, one of the world’s largest free learning platforms for education and skills training. Their dedication to making it possible for anyone to study any subject, anywhere, at any time, for free online is directly aligned with the Alliance's goal to advance quality educational access, particularly for learners in developing countries. Alison works as a social enterprise, using ad placements to make accessible their 4.000+ courses to 25 million learners. This model serves as a noteworthy approach for financial sustainability for those investing in high-quality course development and access."
Anthony Bloome
Anthony BloomeFounder and Executive Director of the mEducation Alliance
"We welcome our partnership with mEA which is a world leader in tech for education. Together we have created two excellent courses - Global Digital Literacy 101 which is a short, certificate course providing a general overview of digital literacy while the longer, 102 course is a Diploma in Global Digital Literacy.At Alison, we believe that empowering people through free education is the best way to improve living standards and combat poverty worldwide. These digital literacy courses will equip learners with all the skills they need to navigate the internet successfully and safely, opening up opportunities for work and further skills development.”
Mike Feerick
Mike FeerickFounder and CEO of Alison
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Featured Interviewees in the Global Digital Literacy Courses

Rivka Otten, Head of Gaming and Simulations at Tilt in The Netherlands. Tilt is a game building company that also engages as a counter-disinformation warrior with a shared desire to disrupt the use of computational propaganda.

Farai Munjoma, CEO of Shasha Network. Shasha Network is a non-governmental organization with a mission to close the career aspiration gap for young people across the world.

Mark Anthony C. Sy, Head of the Technology Unit at the Department of Education Philippines, explains how they are implementing digital literacy through the national curriculum.

Mike Feerick, CEO of Alison, reflects on the vastness of the internet and how it not only opens opportunities for individuals to become learners, but teachers in various capacities as well.

Bryce David Hartley, Market Engagement Manager at GSMA. Bryce introduces us to the Mobile Internet Skills Training Toolkit, a free 12-module course. It includes the basics of using mobile internet, staying safe online, and popular apps.

Afrooz Kaviani Johnson, Child Protection Specialist at UNICEF HQ. Protecting children is especially important now that the digital world has exposed them to so many more dangers.

Riina Vuorikari, Lead for the DigComp 2.2 update at the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission. The DigComp emphasizes that one can always learn more about how technology can be used in today’s society. 

Anthony Bloome, Founder and Executive Director of the mEducation Alliance, speaks about how important it is for youth to learn digital skills and examples of youth who are using these skills for community development.

Youth Digital Champions Featured

The Global Digital Literacy courses feature Youth Digital Champions (YDCs), youth utilizing their digital skills for positive community and global development. The mEducation Alliance annually puts out a call for Youth Digital Champions. 

Featured YDC interviews in the GDL courses include: Christian, Vianca and Manasi (Diploma in Global Digital Literacy) and Mubarak (Global Digital Literacy). You can also read more about their work on the YDC winners’ page.
 
Please contact us at [email protected] if you’d like more information, particularly how to support, future YDC calls.

2022 Winners

Christian Elongué
Literacy, Digital Media
Cameroon

Organization: Muna Kalati

Manasi Gupta
Mental Health, Digital Media
India

Organization: Huesofthemind

2021 Winners

Vianca Jasmin Anglo
Human Rights, Internet 
Philippines

Organization: Women in Technology

Mubarak Idris
Health, Internet & Multimedia
Nigeria 

Organization: Bridge Connect Africa Initiative (BCAI)

Reflections from the Primary Author of the GDL Courses: Dr. Helen Crompton

The primary author of these courses is renowned digital literacy expert, Dr. Helen Crompton. Dr. Crompton is  Associate Professor of Instructional Technology at Old Dominion University, Virginia, USA.  Among her many accomplishments, she is recognized as one of the top nine experts on mobile learning by the United Nations.

“It was an absolute joy to work with the mEducation Alliance in developing the Global Digital Literacy Course and Diploma in Global Digital Literacy. These courses marry my two passions – empowering people with technology and using that technology for positive change in the world. Harnessing the power of technology through skills and knowledge enables people to establish a positive presence in modern society.

I am thrilled that the partnership with the Alison platform allows both courses to be free to all. I do have a favourite section, and that is on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to support people in being creative. I am excited for people to see how easy it is to use these tools. The AI does the hard work for you, and in three clicks of the humble mouse, you will create magical images in the style of famous artists using your photographs. These will help create powerful images highlighting the change needed for your advocacy
work.”

– Dr. Helen Crompton, Associate Professor, Old Dominion University

Signature Activities

Afghan Kids Support Hub

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Math Power!

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Literacy League

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Youth Digital Champions

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The Mobiles for Education (mEducation) Alliance is a 501(c)3 non-profit focused on the evidence-driven and sustainable role of technology in education to advance quality educational outcomes. Initially formed in 2010, the mEducation Alliance is a unique, multi-stakeholder convening platform for government and donor policymakers, other investors, researchers, and practitioners to work together, particularly in lower-resource, developing country contexts. For more information about the Alliance, including about our signature activities, visit the organization web page. Read Full Disclosure and Policy Statement Here

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Jax Chaudhry

Jax Chaudhry leads Project Invent, a national nonprofit that empowers youth with future ready mindsets for individual success and global impact, through invention. Originally from the Southside of Chicago, Jax loves working with students, families and partners to ensure every student can attain success as they define it. For more than 10 years, she has worked with elementary schools, high schools, education nonprofits and led regional teams and operations to ensure student success.

Michael Leventhal

Kenneth Y T Lim operates at the intersection of neuroergonomics, the learning scienceMichael Leventhal is co-founder of RobotsMali, a pedagogical and AI4D laboratory and STEM education center in Bamako, Mali. RobotsMali has trained thousands of students from elementary school to high school in computer science, robotics, and artificial intelligence, coached national robotics teams that have won 32 medals in international competitions, and developed technologies using AI and robotics for the social and economic development of Mali. Before becoming an educator in Mali, Michael worked as a technologist in Silicon Valley.s, and cognitive psychology. In 2023, he and his team were identified by UNESCO to share their work on the affordances of Generative AI for meaningful teaching and learning, during UNESCO’s first annual flagship event Digital Learning Week, international forum on the implications of Generative AI for education, in the session on ‘Preparing students and teachers for responsible use of AI’.

Enouce Ndeche

Enouce Ndeche is the founder and Director of Vijana Amani Pamoja ,VAP a community scheme based in Nairobi Kenya that uses the power and the popularity of the game of soccer/football as a catalyst for social, educational and economic empowerment.Enouce holds a degree in sociology from Egerton university and he is also the 2020 individual award recipient “Diversity and Inclusion Eminent Leader Award Enouce is also a certified Sports Philanthropy and Executive, George Washington University and is a 2023 Gratitude Network fellow.

Kenneth Y T Lim

Kenneth Y T Lim operates at the intersection of neuroergonomics, the learning sciences, and cognitive psychology. In 2023, he and his team were identified by UNESCO to share their work on the affordances of Generative AI for meaningful teaching and learning, during UNESCO’s first annual flagship event Digital Learning Week, international forum on the implications of Generative AI for education, in the session on ‘Preparing students and teachers for responsible use of AI’.