Embedding Digital Literacy at Leeds
Metropolitan University:
Resourcing the Curriculum
Erin Nephin
Library Academic Support Team
Manager
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
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
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.
Digital Literacy and Employability
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
Support Mechanisms
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•
•
•
Centre for Teaching and Learning
Skills for Learning
Collections in the University Repository
Academic Librarians
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
Project Group Formed
• Chaired by Associate Director of LLI
• Members included:
– Head of Curriculum Development and Review
– Academic Staff
– Learning Technologists
– Academic Librarians
Core Content Design
Included Resources
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
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
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.
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?
Questions?
Erin Nephin
e.nephin@leedsmet.ac.uk