DigiLit LeicesterLucy Atkins - Digital Literacy Research Associate

A bit of context…2 year Knowledge Exchange Project:•Lucy Atkins – Research Associate•Richard Hall – De Montfort University•Josie Fraser – Leicester City Council•23 Leicester City BSF schools

•Developing secondary school staff digital literacy, through the implementation of a self-evaluation framework.

A bit of context…

The project has three key objectives:

•To investigate and define digital literacy;

•To identify current school staff confidence levels;

•To support staff in developing their digital literacy skills and knowledge.

Defining Digital LiteracyIn the context of secondary teaching practice

DigiLit Definition‘To be digitally literate, educators must be able to utilise technology to enhance and transform classroom practices, and to enrich their own professional development and identity. The digitally literate educator will be able to think critically about why, how and when technology supplements learning and teaching.’

Identifying current confidence

Strengths and areas for further support

2013 DigiLit Survey

2013 DigiLit Survey• Online survey

• Open between April and July 2013

• All staff who support learning - school leadership, teachers, classroom assistants and library staff

• 24% completion rate across city - 450 staff out of the total cohort of 1912

2013 Headline Findings• High overall confidence

• 52% Pioneer

• 26% Entry

• Highest confidence: E-Safety and Online Identity

• Lowest confidence: Communication, Collaboration and Participation

Supporting Staff Development

Raising baseline skills and confidence

2013 Recommendations• Sharing and promoting pioneer practice• Supporting entry-level staff in raising skills

and confidence• Strengthening links between E-Safety and

Online Identity and Communication, Collaboration and Participation practices

• Increasing knowledge and confidence in OER use and creation

• Encouraging engagement with CPD online – particularly through the development of Personal Learning Networks

Links to Initial Teacher EducationThe importance of reflection

Teacher’s Standards

‘Appropriate self- evaluation, reflection and professional development activity is critical to improving teachers’ practice at all career stages.’

(DfE 2011, p.7)

Standards for ITE

‘taking responsibility for and being committed to their own professional development arising from professional enquiry and reflection on their own and other professional practices, and being involved in collegial professional development with colleagues.’

(GTC Scotland 2006, p.7)

ResourcesThe Project Website: http://www.digilitleic.com/

Project Reports: http://www.digilitleic.com/?page_id=261

BSF ICT blog: http://lccschooltech.our.dmu.ac.uk/

Lucy’s Blog: http://latkin00.our.dmu.ac.uk

The CELT Hub @ DMU: http://celt.our.dmu.ac.uk/