Embedding Digital Literacy at Leeds Metropolitan University: Resourcing the Curriculum

1. Embedding Digital Literacy at Leeds Metropolitan University:Resourcing the Curriculum Erin Nephin Library Academic Support Team Manager

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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.

5. Digital Literacy and Employability

6. 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

7. Support Mechanisms • Centre for Teaching and Learning • Skills for Learning • Collections in the University Repository • Academic Librarians

8. 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

9. Project Group Formed • Chaired by Associate Director of LLI • Members included: • Head of Curriculum Development and Review • Academic Staff • Learning Technologists • Academic Librarians

10. Core Content Design

11. Included Resources

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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.

15. 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?

16. Erin Nephin e.nephin@leedsmet.ac.uk Questions?