Copyright: Louise Thorpe and Kay Moore (2008)

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Making a Digitally Fluent University:a recipe for success?

Learning and IT ServicesLouise Thorpe

and Kay Moore

What's in the store cupboard?– Context at Sheffield Hallam– too many cooks– same old recipes but different palates

Getting DF on the menu– engaging the University Exec– employing a Head DF Chef

Aim – from too many cooks to many cooks

The basic ingredients– IT competencies– Information literacy– On line interactions– Critical thinking

The basic ingredients– IT competencies– Information literacy– On line interactions– Critical thinking

'You assume that students are more IT literate than you are these days'

The basic ingredients– IT competencies– Information literacy– On line interactions– Critical thinking

'I feel so left behind in my learning as I struggle to get to grips with IT'.

The basic ingredients– IT competencies– Information literacy– On line interactions– Critical thinking

'We build it into our module [course] guides, but they seem to view it in the way small children see parents sending them to school – just one of the evils that adults do, so to be borne and ignored'.

The basic ingredients– IT competencies– Information literacy– On line interactions– Critical thinking

'People are quite scared of giving their opinions, even when required to'.

The basic ingredients– IT competencies– Information literacy– On line interactions– Critical thinking

'I wanted to do an on line discussion but I'm nervous of doing that...how to monitor it...how to make it useful'.

The basic ingredients– IT competencies– Information literacy– On line interactions– Critical thinking

'There's a complete difference between [14-19] College and University in terms of what you are required to do'.

The basic ingredients– IT competencies– Information literacy– On line interactions– Critical thinking

'It's my downfall, I don't think I've improved at all'.

What are your ingredients for success?– who supplies them at your institution?– what is the ideal blend?– are there different flavours for different groups?

Tempting all palates– plain sponge or rich fruit?– high tea or takeaway snack?– try before you buy?

'I believe as a part time mature student I wasn't as computer literate as some of the younger students which meant that I had to teach myself as I went through my course...

Getting the right mix– softening the ingredients - aligning support services

and getting commitment– stirring the mix - faculty and students – homemade cakes - implementing at a local level

Well risen cake

Gathering ingredients

Starting to blend

Still planning the recipe

What’s the state of your cake?

Does our recipe for digital fluency resonate with your own experiences?

What are the main challenges that your institution faces in baking your DF cake?

Do you have a tried and tested recipe that you are willing to share?

In one year’s time– no more raw eggs– cakes or biscuits?– one recipe or many?– more exotic flavours?

In one year’s time and beyond....–

'Digital technologies affect all aspects of my work. It doesn't fundamentally change my area of work, just makes it more efficient, makes new opportunities available and improves interaction with customers, clients, partners and relevant people generally. This opens up new markets and new channels of communication'.

Making a Digitally Fluent University:a recipe for success?

Learning and IT Services

Louise Thorpel.p.thorpe@shu.ac.uk

Kay Moorek.m.moore@shu.ac.uk