This document discusses developing digital literacy skills for practitioners. It defines basic, literacy and fluency levels of digital skills and examines how these skills can be supported through effective integration into learning strategies. Case studies show examples of using tools like virtual learning environments, ePortfolios and social media to enhance teaching and learning in practice.

1. Developing the Digital Practitioner
image from wikicommons licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license
University of Stirling

2. Developing the Digital Practitioner 2
Jisc
Jisc is a company with charitable status, which provides the
UK higher education, further education and skills sectors
support on the use of digital technologies.

3. Developing the Digital Practitioner 3
Competency
How
Basic skills in
the digital
realm
Literacy
What
Capabilities
which fit an
individual for
living, learning
and working in a
digital society
Fluency
When and Why
Agile, instinctive,
sophisticated and
multifaceted use
of technology.
The Digital Practitioner

4. Developing the Digital Practitioner 4
The Digital Practitioner in Context
New
Professional
Standards
Key Trends
Restructuring
Learner
Expectations

5. Developing the Digital Practitioner 5
Digital Literacies
Access / Skills / Practice
techno-literacy choosing and using technologies, ICT & Web
skills, personalising the learning environment
....
information literacy finding, accessing, evaluating, reviewing,
using, analysing, managing, applying
information ....
media literacy critical evaluation, creative production, data
visualisation, expressing & sharing ideas ....
academic practice critical thinking, research, problem solving,
academic writing, analysis, synthesis,
experimentation ....
techno-social
practice
communication, collaboration, participating in
networks, sharing, tagging, peer review ....

6. Developing the Digital Practitioner 6
Your Digital Literacy Skills
How did you come across your digital literacy skills?
Was it primarily:
A. Self-taught? - 559062
B. Peer –taught? - 559068
C. Formal training? - 661207
http://www.polleverywhere.com/joanwalker
OR
Text the CODE to +447624806527

7. Developing the Digital Practitioner 7
Digital Literacies – Digital Natives?
»Learners’ ICT skills are less advanced that educators
think (Nicholas et al. 2008, JISC 2008-9)
»Learners’ experience many difficulties transposing
practices from social context into formal learning
(Cranmer 2006)
»Some aspects of learners’ everyday practice with
technology are at odds with practices valued in
traditional academic teaching (Beetham 2009)

8. Developing the Digital Practitioner 8
Digital Literacies – Supporting Learners
»Effective integration of digital literacies in Learning
and Teaching Strategy
»Tutor skills and confidence with technology is critical
to learners’ development
»Support in migrating to more ICT based study
practices
»Digital literacies need to be supported as learners
engage in academic and authentic tasks
Thriving in the 21st Century: Learning Literacies for the Digital Age (LLiDA
project) 2009. (phase 1)

9. Developing the Digital Practitioner
Changing Pedagogies
Discovery Learning
Collaborative Learning
Reflective Activities
Using & Creating
Multimedia
Peer Review
eAssessment
Technology Solutions
Web-based Software
• Virtual Learning
Environments
• ePortfolios
• Social Media
Mobile & Wireless
Technologies

10. Developing the Digital Practitioner 10
The Accessibility Affordances
»Accessibility & Widening Access
»Differentiation
»Assistive Technologies
»Mobile Developments
http://tinyurl.com/tablet-accessibility
http://www.scoop.it/t/tablet-devices-living-learning-productivity

11. Developing the Digital Practitioner
Institutional Tools
(LMS / VLE)
+ Centralised tools
+ Authentication / Restricted Access
+ Tracking / Statistical Analysis
+ Training and Technical Support
 Limited choice
 Not best fit
 Exclusion of external guest
 Complexity / daunting
Open Access
(WEB 2.0/ SOCIAL MEDIA)
+ Familiarlity
+ Easy to use
+ Free to use
+ Collaboration
 Not integrated
 Interactions recorded externally
 No on-site technical support
 Non-standard protection

12. Developing the Digital Practitioner 12
What does it look like?
Case studies – www.rsc-scotland.org
Jisc RSC Scotland Showcase

13. Developing the Digital Practitioner 13
The Digital Practitioner – In Practice
VLE – Integration of Originality Checker & Feedback Tool
Introducing and Embedding New Technology (Turnitin) @
Edinburgh College
• ‘Learning Resource Exposed’ -Workshops
• Turnitin Integrated with Moodle - Assessments Uploaded
• Check Originality of Work – Learner and Tutor
• Rich Online Feedback
• Improvement in Submitting by Deadlines
“144 Moodle Courses – 90 Lecturers – 8000 Submissions”

14. Developing the Digital Practitioner 14
The Digital Practitioner – In Practice
VLE – e-Portfolia (Mahara)
Using e-Portfolios for employability, Curriculum for Excellence
and as a Practical Logbook Dundee & Angus College
• Evidencing practical work
• Employability - Showcasing knowledge and skills
• Core Pages incorporate C for E capacities
• Personalising Learning
• Enhancing IT Skills
• Blog as a reflective tool

15. Developing the Digital Practitioner 15
The Digital Practitioner – In Practice
Social Media - Facebook
Stranraer Cutting Crew Facebook @ Dumfries and Galloway
College
• Student Requested and Led – Set Up Facebook Page
• Secure Groups
• Initially for General Communication
• School Links
• Local Salons – Employability
• Community Collaboration
• Learners Facebook Confident – No Training – Nearly Always On!

16. Developing the Digital Practitioner 16
Today’s resources
Case studies – www.rsc-scotland.org
Tablet Accessibility - http://tinyurl.com/tablet-accessibility
Scoop-it - http://www.scoop.it/t/tablet-devices-living-learning-
productivity
Joan Walker Shelaine Fraser-Robertson
Contact details
Email: support@rsc-scotland.ac.uk
Telephone: 0141 585 0022