This document outlines the purposes of a university education at The University of Manchester and proposes a course structure for teaching digital literacy. It discusses developing critical thinking, confronting values, mastery of discipline, and preparing students for citizenship. The proposed course would teach students to investigate key themes in the digital society, evaluate online information, and apply knowledge to solve real-world problems. Students would learn to find, evaluate, and share information across platforms while understanding intellectual property and ethics. The course aims to help students develop skills in collaboration, problem solving, communication and working in multidisciplinary teams using digital media and technologies.

1. Sympathy for the Academic
Sam Aston and Steve McIndoe
Teaching and Learning Librarians
The University of Manchester Library

3. THE PROLOGUE

5. The Purposes of a Manchester
Education
To develop critical thinking and higher order
conceptual reasoning and analytical skills
To challenge and equip students to confront
personal values and make ethical
judgements
To promote mastery of a discipline To prepare graduates for citizenship and
leadership
in diverse, global environments
To broaden intellectual and cultural interests To develop advanced skills of written and
verbal communication
To prepare graduates for professional and
vocational work
To promote equality and diversity

7. Category of outcome Students will (please delete as appropriate) be able to:
Knowledge and
understanding
Investigate and explore the key themes within the ‘digital society’,
and examine the ethics of online information use. Explore the skills
needed to be an effective and successful digital citizen and apply
knowledge of new technologies to solving problems in the real world.
Intellectual skills Think critically about information, evaluate online information,
practice self-reflection and collaborate across disciplines.
Build on existing knowledge using collaboration and problem-solving
to address new challenges.
Practical skills Find, evaluate and share information across a variety of platforms;
understand issues of intellectual property and the ethics of
information use and apply learning to academic, personal and
professional life.
Transferable skills and
personal qualities
Work collaboratively to build networks and identify solutions to
specific real-world problems and tasks, using social media and new
technologies to communicate research findings. Develop online
communication skills using digital media and demonstrate
interpersonal skills through project working in multi-disciplinary
teams.

8. www.flickr.com/photos/mjtmail/2170840714/

9. THE SYMPATHY

13. Course structure

15. Room Bookings

16. Feedback from students

17. The Epilogue

18. thank you
any questions
Sam Aston and Steve McIndoe
sam@aston@manchester.ac.uk
steve.mcindoe@manchester.ac.uk