Digital literacies refer to the capabilities needed to live, learn, and work in a digital society. They include skills like using digital tools for academic research, writing, and critical thinking. Developing digital literacies is important for employability as many jobs now require basic computer skills. An effective model for learning digital skills is the "Pirate Model" which involves assessing one's skills, analyzing gaps, acquiring new skills, articulating skills to others, and reflecting on the learning process. Continuous improvement of digital literacies is important due to rapid technological changes and innovations.

1. Digital Literacies
Skills for the future
Pat Parslow
p.parslow@reading.ac.uk

2. On Blackboard…
• SSEPart1-11-2NR: SSE Part 1
• Post Exam Events
• SSE All of Part 1 (Transition mentoring and
Digital Literacy)
• Digital Literacies

3. Skills for the future
• Digital Literacies:
– Make your life easier
– Increase your employability
– Allow you to have an Agile approach

4. Employability?

5. What are “Digital Literacies”?
Yes, that is a question – that means you get to answer it!
Please fill in Questionnaire 1 now

6. The JISC defines them as:
By digital literacy we mean those
capabilities which fit an individual for
living, learning and working in a digital
society: for example, the skills to use
digital tools to undertake academic
research, writing and critical thinking;
as part of personal development
planning; and as a way of showcasing
achievements.

7. The JISC defines them as:
By digital literacy we mean those
capabilities which fit an individual for
living, learning and working in a digital
society: for example, the skills to use
digital tools to undertake academic
research, writing and critical thinking;
as part of personal development
planning; and as a way of showcasing
achievements.

8. The JISC defines them as:
By digital literacy we mean those
capabilities which fit an individual for
living, learning and working in a
digital society: for example, the skills
to use digital tools to undertake
academic research, writing and critical
thinking; as part of personal
development planning; and as a way of
showcasing achievements.

9. The JISC defines them as:
By digital literacy we mean those
capabilities which fit an individual for
living, learning and working in a digital
society: for example, the skills to use
digital tools to undertake academic
research, writing and critical thinking;
as part of personal development
planning; and as a way of showcasing
achievements.

10. The JISC defines them as:
By digital literacy we mean those
capabilities which fit an individual for
living, learning and working in a digital
society: for example, the skills to use
digital tools to undertake academic
research, writing and critical thinking;
as part of personal development
planning; and as a way of showcasing
achievements.

11. The JISC defines them as:
By digital literacy we mean those
capabilities which fit an individual for
living, learning and working in a digital
society: for example, the skills to use
digital tools to undertake academic
research, writing and critical thinking;
as part of personal development
planning; and as a way of showcasing
achievements.

12. The JISC defines them as:
By digital literacy we mean those
capabilities which fit an individual for
living, learning and working in a digital
society: for example, the skills to use
digital tools to undertake academic
research, writing and critical
thinking; as part of personal
development planning; and as a way of
showcasing achievements.

13. The JISC defines them as:
By digital literacy we mean those
capabilities which fit an individual for
living, learning and working in a digital
society: for example, the skills to use
digital tools to undertake academic
research, writing and critical thinking;
as part of personal development
planning; and as a way of showcasing
achievements.

14. The JISC defines them as:
By digital literacy we mean those
capabilities which fit an individual for
living, learning and working in a digital
society: for example, the skills to use
digital tools to undertake academic
research, writing and critical thinking;
as part of personal development
planning; and as a way of showcasing
achievements.

15. How do you learn new digital skills?
License Some rights reserved by DeusXFlorida

16. Parrot fashion
Or…
Trial and error
Networking – learning from friends
Web searches
Methodical exploration of tools
Training courses …
How do you work out the best way to learn, for you?

17. http://www.flickr.com/photos/greyloch/5180620832/ CC-BY-SA licence
Pirate Learning
Assess, Analyse, Acquire, Articulate, Reflect:
AAAR!

18. Why?
Maybe a little motivational song…

19. The ‘Elevator pitch’:
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=begvbqFA
YnM

20. The Digitally Ready project is funded by JISC and the University of Reading
Neither of those organisations is in any way responsible for this song!
You are welcome to take the lyrics and make something better… (CC-SA)
Lyrics and vocals by Pat Parslow (who has no shame), music by Microsoft Songsmith

21. Learning goals
• Understand need for continuous improvement
of digital literacies
• Recognise importance of self assessment
• Understand importance of Digital Literacies
for Employability
• Understand the Pirate Model of learning
(AAAAR!)

22. Need for continuous improvement of
digital literacies
• Rapid rate of innovation
• Adaptation of skills to new working
environments
• Always-beta style of software
• Knock on effect to your learning in general…

23. Importance of self assessment
• Provision of courses is sub-optimal
• You need to understand your own skills
• You need to be in charge of your learning
• Understanding your “knowledge gaps” is
critical

24. Importance of Digital Literacies for
Employability
• e-Skills UK research reported in their ‘Technology
Insights 2011’ demonstrates the demand for digital
literacies for employability:
• Across the UK economy, 22 million people, 77% of the
workforce, use IT in their jobs, and this will continue to
rise. 92% of job advertisements require applicants to
have basic IT skills and 1 in 10 UK businesses report
gaps in IT user skills.
• 1.5 million people in the UK are currently employed in
the IT sector and 500,000 new staff will be required in
this sector over the next 5 years.
http://www.e-skills.com/research/research-publications/insights-reports-and-
videos/technology-insights-2011/technology-insights-2011-key-findings

25. Pirate Model of learning (AAAAR!)
• AAAR!
• Assess – yourself, and your needs
• Analyse – the gaps between these two
• Acquire – gain skills and competencies
• Articulate – communicate your skills to
others
• Reflect – on the process, how you can learn
better

26. And now…..
• A chance to have a look at some of the
support materials
• Make sure you are logged in to Blackboard first
• https://reading-ac-
uk.campuspack.eu/Groups/RDXPARSLOW-
DEV/Digitally_Ready

27. What are “Digital Literacies”?
Yes, that is a question – that means you get to answer it!
Please fill in Questionnaire 2 now