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

Core Content Design

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