M25LTG March 2016

M25 Learning Technology Group - Spring 2016

Literacies and Capabilities in the Digital Institution

16 March - Queen Mary University of London

Mile End Rd, E1 4NS

The topic of digital literacy has moved out of the realm of theoretical, potential concerns and into research and policy agendas. Much as librarians have already carved out an established role as information literacy specialists, those of us who work with learning technologies are increasingly called upon to assist academic staff in embedding support for digital literacy into the curriculum or the academic environment.

The concept of digital literacy as one of multiple, intersecting literacies invites us to consider its overlap with quite well-established bodies of knowledge and practice around information literacy, media literacy and critical literacy. We have seen the emergence of literacy-as-framework, helping us to consider certain clusters of skills, competencies and core knowledge as specific forms of literacy - so for example, we now discuss such terms as assessment literacy, data literacy, copyright literacy or even perhaps, ‘open literacy’. The latest work in this area from Jisc has seen a shift in terminology towards digital capabilities, expressed as a six-element framework.

In this meeting we aim to consider:

· How are learning technologists and academic developers collaborating with students, academics, librarians and/or other professionals to develop digital capabilities?

· And is this work being done as a main focus or has it been a by-product of other activities?

· How does an engagement with the digital enable or enhance the development of students as researchers / producers, or support alternative assessment practices?

· How possible or practical is it to develop digital literacies and capabilities of students outside of the taught / assessed curriculum?

· Whose responsibility is all this anyway?

Arrive in time for lunch between 1-2

The meeting will take place from 2-5

Speakers:

· David Andrew, QMUL – Developing digital literacies at Queen Mary

· Moira Wright, UCL – Developing digital literacies at UCL

· Evan Dickerson/Jade Cooper, Jisc – Update from Jisc including digital capabilities

· Richard Treves, U of Hertfordshire - Students and tutors creating screencasts

· Javiera Atenas, UCL – Developing data literacy with open data

· Roger Rees, U of Surrey - Digital literacy frameworks