Group items tagged

Embedding digital skills.

"The 5 Resources Model provides a framework to articulate the scope and dimensions of digital literacies. It is based on an established model of literacy which is underpinned by critical perspectives (the Four Resources Model of Critical Literacy, after Luke & Freebody). It has been adapted for the digital context. The model has been developed to encompass the varied perceptions and meanings attributed to digital literacy. On the one hand some stakeholders put a strong focus on ICT, i.e. the skills involved in using computers, software and digitally enabled devices; others emphasise the social and interpersonal, creative and communicative skills highlighted by social media and Web 2.0; there are also critical and intellectual approaches associated with the term digital scholarship. Different stakeholders tend to emphasise different skillsets. The model therefore provides an overarching framework against which groups can develop a shared sense of the parameters and scope of digital literacy. This can inform the curriculum and map to graduate attributes as well as contribute to staff development and employability agendas."

It sounds important - haven't read it yet, but it isn't new (2010) " Digital literacy means learning how to work the information and communication technologies in a networked environment, as well as understanding the social, cultural and ethical issues that go along with the use of these technologies. "Full participation in contemporary culture requires not just consuming messages, but also creating and sharing them," writes Hobbs. "To fulfill the promise of digital citizenship, Americans must acquire multimedia communication skills and know how to use these skills to engage in the civic life of their communities.""

CASCADE is designed to focus on the digital literacy of researchers - building on the University's strengths in research-led teaching. It also incorporates the concept of 'students as change agents', for which we  have national acclaim for our work involving undergraduate students in the design and delivery of the curriculum, and we intend to build on our experience of engaging Postgraduate Research students to cascade skills to undergraduates. How it will workA purpose-designed Exeter Digital Literacy Framework will underpin the project, and help us in refining our approaches, specifically with regard to digital literacy skills. A number of research-rich online and face to face activities will be developed and piloted in our five Colleges.

"I've just been in an interesting panel discussion at the JISC Online Conference on the subject of 'digital literacy'. The recording of the Elluminate session is available. The session reinforced to me just how diverse people's views on digital literacies are. Most new to the field make the assumption that digital literacy is singular and consists of basic skills in the digital realm. In effect, digital competency. Those more experienced in the field, such as Helen Beetham, talk of the importance of this baseline - the 'ABC' of digital literacy as she called it, but higher-level skills as well."

"Canadian youth are not as digitally literate as adults may think they are, according to new research released today by MediaSmarts. Though today's young people have grown up immersed in digital media, they still rely on parents and teachers to help them advance their skills in areas such as searching and verifying online information."

The iChamp programme at Southampton which engages students in a partnership with staff to develop digital skills. Not a tech angels approach.

Mapping digital skills in Irish HE.

Aimed at schools but could be tweaked.

"Shortly before Christmas Boris, our doctoral researcher, presented the findings of our student questionnaire to the Project Board and Delivery Group and it made for an interesting meeting.  The questionnaire asked students about their use of digital technology and applications as well as testing their attitudes to digital skills as they relate to employability."

Digital Competence has been acknowledged as one of the 8 key competences for Lifelong Learning by the European Union. Digital Competence can be broadly defined as the confident, critical and creative use of ICT to achieve goals related to work, employability, learning, leisure, inclusion and/or participation in society. Digital Competence is a transversal key competence which enables acquiring other key competences (e.g. language, mathematics, learning to learn, cultural awareness). It is related to many of the so-called 21st Century skills which should be acquired by all citizens, to ensure their active participation in society and the economy.

"In the sixth episode of our online radio programmes - JISC On Air - we are exploring how universities and colleges can help teaching staff, researchers, support and administrative staff to develop their digital literacies - those capabilities which prepare an individual for living, learning and working in a digital society. In part two of the show, we will be looking at how digital literacy underpins the academic success and employability of students. The show highlights how colleges and universities are developing holistic approaches and strategies for supporting the development of these skills and capabilities."

Diagram showing skills and practices of Digital Literacy

Skills & competences for working on the web

Report on skills for young Australians. Includes multiple refrences to digital literacy.

London Met site for students supporting digital capability development.

"The project funds student partnerships in various disciplines to develop online learning resources using specialist software. This complements our partnership with Jisc on their Developing digital literacies project which aims to give students digital skills by encouraging HE curriculums to include digital elements."

Some good suggestions, especially in the first half of the post.