Digital Literacy

The key issue of digital literacy and professional digital education was prevalent across all sessions at the Archaeological Archives as a Resource. Caitriona Crowe's proposed network would address many of the key issues of continuous professional development - as a standards led digital environment will (should be) a basis for any funding by the state or the EU, and we also need to act now to ensure that future work is not hampered by choices now - for instance choosing an xml based entry or record system rather than PDF will help future participants.

The rapidity of technological advance means that upskilling is crucial, but also reinforces the need for basic open standards for digitisation and metadata - robust metadata that withstands the vagaries of software is essential.  Open data is at the centre of these concerns - work paid for by the state must be accessible to the taxpayer - and that means the data, and not just the report of one individual which, while crucial is not the only output necessary for future engagement with our archaeological heritage.