A Digital Literacy Lens for the SCONUL 7 Pillars Model

Helen Howard

SCONUL Working Group on Information Literacy

SCONUL Digital Literacy Lens

Context

Creation

Content

Feedback

Future

Your feedback

(JISC Developing Digital Literacies Briefing Paper)

http://www.jisc.ac.uk/media/documents/funding/2011/04/Briefingpaper.pdf

“Digital literacy defines those capabilities which fit an individual for living, learning and working in a digital society”

ICT / computer literacy

Information literacy

Media literacy

Commun-icate &

collaborate

Digital scholarship

Learning skills

Futurelab: digital literacy across the curriculum

http://www2.futurelab.org.uk/resources/documents/handbooks/digital_literacy.pdf

SCONUL and Digital Literacy

Sconul’s working group on IL:

•Promotes IL within HE sector•Develops and refines 7 pillars model•Supports info professionals to deliver innovative IL•Provides a focus for IL within Sconul•Manages any IL-related projects

Lenses: Same Pillars, Different Views

• Research• Open Content• Digital Literacy

http://www.sconul.ac.uk/groups/information_literacy/seven_pillars.html

Digital Literacy Lens:• To explain and scope DL, and encourage debate• To assess skills of profession• To assist development of DL across HE community,

including student skills

Developed by:• Looking at the digital environment, tools and

technologies in HE• Considering skills and behaviours needed• Looking at DL work elsewhere

IDENTIFY Understands:

Concept of DL in context

Structure of digital content

Lifecycle of digital info

Is able to:

Recognise skills needed

Assess digital content and tools

Match digital solution to task

SCOPE Understands:

Copyright, IPR issues

Digital publication formats

Accessibility issues

Is able to:

Identify search tools

Assess digital formats

Evaluate new tools

PLAN Understands:

Differences between search

tools

Impact of sharing content

Where to locate & publish content

Is able to:

Assess forms of digital media

Exploit online communication

Assign meta-data tags

GATHER Understands:

Range of digital content / media

Collaborative tools

Risks of virtual world

Is able to:

Use range of digital tools

Download digital info

Engage in online collaboration

EVALUATE Understands:

Range of technologies

Quality of digital information

Critical user of digital tools

Is able to:

Assess suitability of content

Read online info critically

Discoverability of own material

MANAGE Understands:

Ethical issues re info handling

Plagiarism / referencing

Need to keep systematic record

Is able to:

Organise digital content

Cite & reference correctly

Personalise digital environment

PRESENT Understands:

Online security / privacy issues

New tools for communication

Need to consider digital self

Is able to:

Communicate effectively

Develop online profile

Select publication outlets

?• Think about the lens in the context of your own

skills• Pick a statement, section or pillar where

–You feel confident about your skills–You think you could develop more

• Write on post-its and share with your table

Consultation, comments, feedback

•Lens was produced in November and updated in January following feedback from various institutions and DL experts

•Final set of comments to be incorporated shortly to form final version – send us your thoughts!

•Included in a survey of SCONUL Library Directors

Survey of Library Directors

• Does the DL lens describe the range of capabilities staff are expected to demonstrate?

–Yes–Partially–No

89.6%

10.4%

YesPartiallyNot applicable

SCONUL DL project

• JISC-funding for a number of Professional Associations (incl. SEDA, ALT, ALDinHE, AUA, HEDG, Vitae)

– to engage their members in DL agenda– to help disseminate findings of main JISC Developing Digital

Literacies projects http://www.jisc.ac.uk/developingdigitalliteracies

• SCONUL project aims to:–Engage institutions, particularly relating DL to IL–Develop skills and behaviours to maximise benefits of working in

digital environment–Look at Sconul’s own DL and digital presence

http://jiscdesignstudio.pbworks.com/w/page/48784891/SCONUL%20DL

What are the DL skills of staff working in HE Libraries?

• All professional associations did a survey of their members (staff developers, learning developers, academic administrators…)

• SCONUL survey asked Library Directors to assess their staff

• To review capabilities of information professionals working in technology rich environments and assess how roles could be more effective

6 digital capabilities: which do you have?

ICT / Computer Literacy

Information Literacy Media Literacy

Communication & Collaboration

Digital Scholarship Learning Skills

Areas of staff expertise? (student support / academic liaison roles)

1. Information Literacy

2. ICT / Computer Literacy

3. Communication & Collaboration

4. Learning Skills

5. Media Literacy

6. Digital Scholarship

Essential for staff to develop expertise in this area?

Information Literacy – 92%

ICT / Computer Literacy – 90%

Communication & Collaboration – 81%

Digital Scholarship – 77%

Learning Skills – 71%

Media Literacy – 69%

Library Services support of DL

• How is your service contributing to strategic development of your institution’s digital literacy?

–Formally–Locally– Informally–No involvement

Formally Locally Informally No involvement Other0

5

10

15

20

25

30

Library Services support of DL

• Is your service taking a lead in developing your institution’s digital literacy?

8.3%

68.8%

18.8%

4.2%

Yes

Yes - in part-nership

No

Other

Survey results from all Professional Associations

• Widespread confidence in use of technologies• Less confidence in capacity to “keep up”• Blurred boundaries of personal / professional life• Anxiety / excitement over loss of f2f learning• Adoption of technology takes place informally• Main barriers are lack of time and opportunity• Growing awareness of digital inequalities

SCONUL DL Project Future Plans

Contribute to CILIP’s body of professional knowledge

Interpret and disseminate findings of main projects, esp in relation to IL

Provide professional development opportunities e.g. Webinars / opportunities to experiment• What would help you?

Tool to explain and scope DL, beyond a definition

Can be developed, interpreted and applied

A tool to underpin development of student skills and our own?

SCONUL DL Lens Future Uses

Questions, Comments, Thoughts... ?