Technological Literacy
Free online resources curated for charity and not for profit organisations
As digital tools and systems continue to evolve, technological literacy is essential for charities to operate effectively and deliver impact
It enables teams to confidently use digital platforms, adapt to new technologies and work more efficiently helping organisations remain responsive, resilient, and fit for the future.
The resources and content highlighted on this page are aligned to the Building Tomorrow’s Skills in Today’s Charities report, written by Andy Lancaster for the Charity Learning Consortium.
5 Skill Development Tactics
Technological Literacy
- Start with confidence, not complexity: Create safe spaces to encourage curiosity and small steps in digital capability. Confidence unlocks participation, and participation drives performance.
- Build digital basics into workflows: Embed small digital tasks into daily work. Micro-practice and nudges accelerate capability more effectively than standalone training.
- Design digital solutions for frontline realities, not assumptions: Test solutions in operational environments before rollout. Provide mobilefriendly access and simple guides.
- Close inclusion gaps with targeted support: Use diagnostics to spot workforce capability gaps. Then offer tailored support through buddies, drop-ins or peer mentoring.
- Prepare people now for an AI-enabled future: AI readiness depends on digital foundations. Prioritise the use of core tools so staff can then engage effectively with emerging AI.
Top resources…
The little book of Digital Learning
Technology is just a tool. It’s how L&D practitioners inspire learners to use these tools that makes them a success.
The use of learning technologies is now commonplace but this fantastic little book will help ensure that you’re using them both wisely and well.
Digital Wellbeing
The article focuses on building a healthier relationship with technology by being more mindful of digital habits, setting boundaries, and reducing screen time to improve wellbeing.
Essential digital skills framework
The essential digital skills framework defines the digital skills adults need to safely benefit from, participate in and contribute to the digital world.
Articles
Adult Education Quest (2025a) Understanding Technology Literacy: Key concepts and components, Adult Education Quest.
Available at: https://adulteducation.quest/adult-learning-and-21st-century-skills/technology-literacy-key-concepts-components/
Adult Education Quest (2025b) Essential Skills for Becoming Technology Literate, Adult Education Quest.
Available at: https://adulteducation.quest/adult-learning-and-21st-century-skills/essential-skills-becoming-technology-literate/ (Accessed: 12 February 2026).
Barbara Bush Foundation for Family Literacy (2022) Promoting Digital Literacy for Adult Learners: A Resource Guide, Create Adult Skills Network.
Available at: https://www.barbarabush.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/DigitalLiteracyforAdultLearners-ResourceGuide-April2022_updated.pdf
Department for Education (2018) Essential Digital Skills Framework, GOV.UK.
Available at: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/essential-digital-skills-framework
Entelechy Academy Limited (2023) Skill 6: Technical Literacy, Top Content on LinkedIn.
Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/skill-6-technical-literacy-entelechyacademy
Medium (2023) Skill 6: Technical literacy, Neuroquest Medium.
Available at: https://neuroquest.medium.com/skill-6-technical-literacy-e0090e9919b3
Molina, Y. (2025) Digital Literacy in the Age of AI: Empowering Adult Learners for a Changing World, First Literacy.
Available at: https://firstliteracy.org/digital-literacy-in-the-age-of-ai-empowering-adult-learners-for-a-changing-world/
Onward Living HQ (no date) 9 Ways to Discuss Technological Literacy with Older Adults that Build Confidence, Onward Living HQ.
Available at: https://www.onwardlivinghq.com/1449/discussing-technological-literacy-with-older-adults/
SmartCourses (2023) Understanding Technology Literacy in the Digital age, Smart Courses.
Available at: https://smartcourses.io/blog/understanding-technology-literacy-in-the-digital-age/
Sualehi, S.H. (2023) (some) adults left behind: Digital literacy and the working learner – sualehi – 2023 – new directions for adult and Continuing Education – Wiley Online Library.
Available at: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/ace.20503
Young, A.T., Denton, D. and Cole, J.R. (2024) Improving technological literacy, Issues in Science and Technology.
Available at: https://issues.org/young-technological-techliteracy/
Videos and Webinar recordings
AI Uncovered (no date) Top 20 New Technology Trends That Will Define the Future, YouTube.
Available at: https://youtu.be/KvN3JXICzdM?si=KoB1vh85f5QO0LwW
Begley, S. (no date) Digital Literacy: Realizing the Promise of Technology, YouTube TedX Talks.
Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGwSzp2xBU4
Marr, B. (no date) The Most In-Demand Technical Skills – And How To Develop Them, YouTube.
Available at: https://youtu.be/bHHsWva5avc?si=ya-4Rag5jVLgYqer
Schonberg, B. (no date) Technical Literacy, YouTube TEDxTalks.
Available at: https://youtu.be/ws9KpyQ31mU?si=kMnu5It3VO54ARQR
Tiff in Tech (no date a) 5 Tech Skills That Will Still Matter in 2030, YouTube.
Available at: https://youtu.be/gZ4zAk9uAhk?si=nImMR6DhSztzHdtW
Tiff in Tech (no date b) Top 10 Technical Skills That Will Matter Most in 2026, YouTube.
Available at: https://youtu.be/vvLXUQeiKa0?si=Vth7-SkRIdVA1ZPr
University of Derby (no date) Digital literacy and why it matters, YouTube.
Available at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2k3C-iB88w
Podcasts
Digital ATDN (2024) Overcoming Technological Fear and Resistance, Spotify.
Available at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nvLiqdMNkdQwcBu8Se98y?si=e_N8TVupRKacSEDvVrGUXQ
Digital ATDN (2025) Supporting learners and educators in overcoming technological fear and resistance, Spotify.
Available at: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4Mq46sDJkOJt3LePeAvw9y?si=D1wOBEhRQ6KbUjL2tlg6wA
View full report here