Post on 31-Mar-2015
Embedding Digital Literacy at Leeds Metropolitan University:
Resourcing the Curriculum
Erin Nephin
Library Academic Support Team Manager
In this Session
• How the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Curriculum review gave opportunities to embed digital literacy;
• The implementation our Core Content Modules with the launch of digital literacy as a graduate attribute;
• Use of core modules by academic staff;• Feedback on lessons learned
The story so far…
• Definition of “Digital Literacy” at Leeds Metropolitan
• The Undergraduate and Postgraduate Curriculum reviews
• Initial staff support and development• Employability and Digital Literacy– Year 1
Initial Phase (DL and Employability)
• Aimed at students, as part of the Employability and Enterprise Fortnight (now “Futures Fest”)
• Sessions on using research skills in employment and how digital literacy can increase employability
• Delivered by Academic Librarians, with input from Academics and Careers.
Digital Literacy and Employability
Needs identified in Phase 2:
• Academic Staff requested help in promoting and improving their own digital literacy skills
• Need for greater use of non-print based resources as part of the refocused curriculum
• Opportunity for Libraries and Learning Innovation to meet these needs and promote existing services
Support Mechanisms
• Centre for Teaching and Learning• Skills for Learning• Collections in the University Repository• Academic Librarians
Need for Generic Modules
• UG and PG Reviews indicated common modules which could benefit from a “Core set” of resources
• Project was proposed and set up to address this via the introduction of generic modules in Research Methods and Managing Projects aimed at staff
Project Group Formed
• Chaired by Associate Director of LLI• Members included:
– Head of Curriculum Development and Review– Academic Staff – Learning Technologists– Academic Librarians
Included Resources
Pilot and Promotion
• Basic design and initial content reviewed by staff involved in research methods and project management modules
• Promoted via hands-on “road-shows” and at the Course Leaders conference where the modules were demonstrated and feedback was obtained
Feedback so far
• Well received, content has already been duplicated in a number of modules and is the spine of a new distance course
• Word of mouth spread quickly, with initial cohort of academics promoting and training colleagues in the use of the modules
• Requests received for involvement in future modules
Next Steps
• Online Learning Resources Strategy• New Digital Skills workshops• Creation of new “Little Book of Project
Management” & interactive resource• New modules in Strategic Management and
Introduction to Marketing to be created in 2013/14.
Reaching Further
• The possibility of collaboration with other librarians in the sharing/creation of resources
• Facilitation of exchange of “hands-on” activities for use (and re-use) in the classroom
Is there a need for a core-content modules amongst Academic Librarians?
Questions?
Erin Nephin
e.nephin@leedsmet.ac.uk