Developing Digital Literacies: A series of national workshops on developing learners and learning organisations for the 21st Century
Context
Although ownership and personal use of digital technology is high among university and college students, few know how best to use digital devices and networks in support of their studies. Around 90% of new graduate jobs require high level ICT skills, and we know from graduate employers that flexibility, communication and judgement in digital environments are valued over familiarity with specific systems. Learners and employers alike expect digital provision to be integral to the learning experience.
Workshop materials are available from here
Universities and Colleges have a responsibility to develop graduates who can thrive in an era of digital information and communication. The JISC has been investigating strategies that work for:
- Employers: improving digital literacy is an essential aspect of developing employable graduates; the capacity to communicate in a wide range of media is now regarded as essential on recruitment to most graduate roles.
- Learners: few subject areas are untouched by digital practices; the curriculum should enable students to practise digital skills in authentic contexts and to develop their capacity as lifelong learners.
- Institutions: digital literacy development demands the expertise of staff in a wide range of student-facing roles; across all staff roles, digital capability is essential to building an effective organisation that can respond to new opportunities and demands.
By digital literacy we mean those capabilities which fit an individual for living, learning and working in a digital society. For example, the use of digital tools to undertake academic research, writing and critical thinking; digital professionalism; the use of specialist digital tools and data sets; communicating ideas effectively in a range of media; producing, sharing and critically evaluating information; collaborating in virtual networks; using digital technologies to support reflection and PDP; managing digital reputation and showcasing achievements.
These workshops will offer the latest in organisational thinking and educational development around digital literacies. Participants will hear the outcomes of recent JISC-funded activity in this area and be given the chance to share their own experiences through structured activities. Proven resources in support of staff and curriculum development and institutional change will be available to download, adapt and use in participants' own contexts of work.
Aims
- To showcase JISC outcomes in the area of digital literacy including development frameworks and institutional case studies
- To support institutional and curriculum development by introducing participants to a range of contextualisable materials and guided activities
- To support emerging professional roles in the digital literacy field
- To enable sharing of experience and expertise by professionals working in diverse institutional locations
- To help shape a response from higher and further education to the digital inclusion agenda being promoted by national and European government
- To identify key priorities for JISC in supporting colleges and universities with the development of digital literacies for staff and students.
Intended participants
Educational professionals with an interest in and responsibility for digital literacy. They may be located in:
e-learning teams; library/learning resource teams; educational or learning development; academic departments; careers/employability teams; outreach teams; other support services; quality; senior management.
Outline agenda for the workshops
| Time | Activity |
|---|
| 10.00 - 10.30 |
Coffee and registration |
| 10.30 - 10.50 |
Introductory activity: defining digital literacy |
| 10.50 - 11.30 |
How are personal, professional and academic practices changing?
Defining graduate attributes for your context. |
| 11.30 - 11.50 |
Who are your learners and what do you know about them?
Practice assessing learner needs and resources to help. |
| 11.50 - 12.00 |
Tea/Coffee break |
| 12.00 - 12.45 |
A model for learner development
Using the model to map your context: what kinds of experiences move learners on? |
| 12.45 - 13.00 |
Feedback from the floor and summarising the morning's learning |
| 13.00 - 13.45 |
Lunch and circulation time |
| 13.45 - 14.30 |
What are institutions doing to support the development of learners for a digital age?
Guest case study from SLiDA project. |
| 14.30 - 15.00 |
How are institutions meeting this challenge?
Activity: SLiDA Poster Tour
Introduction to the value of audits and DL audit tool |
| 15.00 - 15.15 |
Tea/Coffee break |
| 15.15 - 15.45 |
Consolidation paper-chase
Recommendations for managers, learners, course teams, support services. |
| 15.45 - 16.00 |
Closing plenary - ideas, reflections and next steps |
| 16.00 |
Close |
Facilitators
The workshops will be facilitated by Helen Beetham (consultant) and author of JISC’s recent review of digital literacies and lead consultant on the Learning Literacies in a Digital Age (LliDA) project and Dr Rhona Sharpe or Dr Greg Benfield (Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development, Oxford Brookes University) of the recent JISC Supporting Learners in a Digital Age (SLiDA) study. Ellen Lessner, e-Learning Co-ordinator from Abingdon and Witney College will be our guest speaker.
Booking information
22nd February 2012, Edinburgh Training and Conference Venue
This event is now FULL. If you would like to be added to the waiting list please email your details to a.shah@jisc.ac.uk
Previous workshops
26 May 2011, Goodenough College, London
23 June 2011, Maple House, Birmingham
22 September 2011, theStudio, Manchester
6 October 2011, The Bristol Hotel, Bristol
4th November 2011 - Wales