As finals week wraps up and the sweet relief of summer break washes over you, I know the urge to completely unplug and recharge is strong. And you absolutely should! Relax, spend time with loved ones, and soak up the sun.

However, in our increasingly digital and AI-driven world, taking a complete break from all things tech might leave you a little rusty come fall. Think of it like an athlete taking the entire off-season completely off – it takes longer to get back in the game!

So, while you’re enjoying your well-deserved downtime, consider sprinkling in a few activities to keep those digital literacy and AI skills sharp. Here are five ideas to get you started:

1. Dive into a Self-Paced Online Course: Summer is the perfect time to explore a topic you’re curious about without the pressure of grades. Platforms like Coursera, edX, and Udacity offer a vast array of courses on everything from data science and machine learning to cybersecurity and digital marketing. Even dedicating a few hours a week to a specific course can significantly boost your understanding of these fields. Plus, many offer certifications you can add to your resume! ***Psst…ProfessorRome.com will be offering some self-paced online courses this Summer. Stay tuned!***
2. Experiment with AI Tools: You don’t need to be a coder to get familiar with AI. Summer is a great time to play around with publicly available AI tools. Explore generative AI for creating images or text, try out AI-powered writing assistants, or delve into tools that help with data analysis. Getting hands-on experience, even with the user-friendly interfaces, will give you a better understanding of AI’s capabilities and limitations. Think of it as test-driving the future!
3. Level Up Your Cybersecurity Habits: With more free time, you might spend more time online. Make it a goal to strengthen your cybersecurity practices. Explore password managers, learn about multi-factor authentication, and understand the risks of phishing scams. Staying safe online is a crucial aspect of digital literacy, and summer provides the opportunity to build good habits.
4. Build a Simple Digital Project: Put your existing skills to use and maybe even learn something new by tackling a small digital project. This could be anything from building a basic website using a website builder, creating a short video using editing software, designing graphics for a personal project, or even learning the fundamentals of coding through a beginner-friendly platform. The goal is to engage with digital tools and concepts actively.
5. Stay Informed Through Reputable Sources: Dedicate a little time each week to reading articles or listening to podcasts about developments in technology and AI. Follow reputable tech news outlets, research organizations, and thought leaders in the field. This will help you stay informed about the latest trends and understand the broader implications of these technologies. Think of it as staying current with the playbook!

Summer break is all about rest and rejuvenation, but a little bit of focused exploration can go a long way in keeping your digital and AI skills sharp. You don’t need to cram – just pick one or two things that pique your interest and dedicate a small amount of time to them.

Have an amazing summer, everyone! Stay safe and keep those curiosity circuits firing. Want even more ideas on how to keep your digital literacy and AI skills sharp over the break? Subscribe to the ProfessorRome.com Newsletter for exclusive tips and resources delivered right to your inbox. I’m already looking forward to seeing you all refreshed and ready to dive deeper in the fall!