This is an introduction to digital literacies using Steve Wheeler and Chris Dede's work.

1. An introduction to digital literacy
to support the learning of
undergraduate students
Rita Kizito
CHEC Short Course: Academic Literacies for
Teaching and Learning 2013

2. Digital and Web in Higher Ed
Seven trends that will shape 2013
By:Karine Joly
University Business, January 2013
1. Growth of connected devices (
tablets, smartphones)
2. Learning Content with multiple purposes (built for
multiple devices)
3. Rise of visual content use.
4. Digital marketing in order to serve the digital
students.
5. Learning analytics ( making data-driven decisions)
6. Is social media really free?
7. The MOOCs ( massive online open courses)debate.
Coursera, edX, and Udacity )

3. Digital and Web in Higher Ed
Seven trends that will shape 2013
By:Karine Joly
University Business, January 2013

4. Across Africa and
Asia, "mobile phones
are used less for
talking and more today
as platforms to support
daily living," writes
Robin Renee
Sanders, a former US
Ambassador to
Nigeria, who argues
that creative apps and
mobile services are
improving people's
quality of life.
[2013 trends] Africa finding its own solutions
using mobile tech by: Dr KF Lai

5. http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDtYZEJMzwc/T9dmg-
pxFYI/AAAAAAAAAGk/gsxOZS-Xm6g/s1600/InternetMinuteInfographic.jpg

6. Some introspection
( 12 minutes)
1. What shapes this new digital
culture?
2. What does it mean to be digitally
literate?

7. What shapes this new digital culture?
• Access (socio-economic) ,the digital divide
• Psychological, political – willingness to engage
• Technical (geographical location) urban/rural
differences, developed/developing countries
• Skill ( being able to use the tools effectively

8. Distinguishing between skills and
literacies
“We are digitally ready (skilled) when we are able to
use the tools effectively, and we are digitally literate
when we are able to act appropriately and make
reasoned decisions in the face of the relatively
unfamiliar culture of the digital ecosystem” ( Steve
Wheeler).

9. “Literacies take us beyond
functionality into a deeper
level of participation where we
begin to appreciate and then
adapt our behaviour to the
demands and expectations of
a new culture”( Steve
Wheeler).

10. What will it take to help our students
become digitally literate?
Dan
Pallotta

11. Tug of war
Image from rehanmemon.wordpress.com
20th century vs 21st century
“capabilities people need for
work, citizenship and self actualization”
( Chris Dede)

12. Tug of war
Image from rehanmemon.wordpress.com
20TH Century 21 ST Century
Emphasis on routine cognitive
work & manual labour
Emphasis on Expert thinking
Independent skilled performers People able to work
collaboratively with
complementary expertise &
roles
Working with orderly
knowledge and routine problem
solving
Ability to filter and re-configure
disorderly knowledge through
co -creation and sharing
Discover and construct truths Extend understanding beyond
given contexts
Work with routine problem
solving skills in abstract
environments
(Chris Dede)
Develop decision making skills
to tackle new problems in
realistic contexts

13. Learners need new digital literacies
…which they will attain when they learn
not to focus on the technology, but to use
digital devices to perform functions
allowing them to survive in a world
dominated by technology.
The teachers also need to
unlearn and relearn
beliefs, teaching
practices, methods of teaching &

14. New digital literacies (Wheeler)
• Social networking
• Maintaining privacy
• Managing identity
• Creating content
• Organising content
• Reusing and
repurposing
• Filtering and selecting
• Self presenting
• Trans literacy

15. Frameworks useful for introducing
digital literacy
EnGauge Framework from Metiri/NCREL
enGauge 21st Century Skills: Literacy in the Digital Age - pICT
Digital-Age Literacy
Basic, Scientific, Economic and
Technological Literacies
Visual and Information literacies
Multicultural Literacy and global
awareness
Inventive Thinking
Adaptability, Managing
complexity and self direction
Curiosity, creativity and Risk
taking
Higher order thinking and
sound reasoning
Effective Communication
Teaming, Collaboration, and
Interpersonal Skills
Personal, social and Civic
responsibility
Interactive communication
High Productivity
Prioritising, Planning and
Managing results
Effective use of real world tools
Ability to produce relevant , high
quality products
21st century learning
Academic achievement
Academic achievement
Academicachievement
Academicachievement

16. Frameworks useful for introducing digita
literacy
Organization for Economic Cooperation and
Development (OECD)
Competency Category 1: Using tools interactively
A. Use language , symbols and texts interactively
B. Use knowledge and information interactively
C. Use technology interactively
Competency Category 2: Interacting in Heterogeneous groups
A. Relate well with others
B. Co-operate, work in teams
C. Manage and resolve conflicts
Competency Category 3: Acting Autonomously
A. Act within the big picture
B. Effective use of real world tools
C. Defend and assert rights, interests, limits and needs.

17. What will it take to help our students
become digitally literate?
…basically teach them how to read (
access, consume, explore) and write (
create, innovate, share) digitally.

18. Where are we lagging in the African
context?
…Innovation, strategies for moving our
students from being consumers of
information to becoming generators of ideas
and solutions to problems.

19. What next?
Developing digital literacies
UK’s expert on digital technology for education and research.
Joint Information Systems Committee but over the last
decade has evolved to become known as Jisc.
http://www.jisc.ac.uk/developingdigitalliteracies

20. Thank you
W:
E: kizitorita@gmail.com
B:
T: