KC7027 - Information and digital literacy

You will use online learning materials, in addition to discussion boards and online activities. This is facilitated by the University eLearning Portal which has been successfully delivering distance learning provision for a number of years. It is expected that you will draw heavily on your own work experience to contextualise the theory learnt.

Support will include feedback from tutors during small-group seminars and tutorials. In addition tutors will respond to questions via the module’s discussion board at the University’s eLearning Portal so that the whole group can benefit. We also offer an open-door policy, so that you can come and see us to discuss module questions on a one-to-one or small group basis face-to-face as and when the need arises. If you are learning at a distance, tutors can make use of the eLearning portal web conferencing software to talk to you face-to-face, in addition to simpler technology such as telephone calls.

All modules at Northumbria include a range of reading materials that students are expected to engage with. The reading list for this module can be found at: http://readinglists.northumbria.ac.uk
(Reading List service online guide for academic staff this containing contact details for the Reading List team – http://library.northumbria.ac.uk/readinglists)

Knowledge & Understanding:
1. Critically evaluate the development and application of information and digital literacy in context
2. Critically assess the use of collection development and user needs analysis to support information and digital literacy teaching and learning
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
3. Appraise a variety of learning theories and pedagogical approaches
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
4. Apply their advocacy and liaison skills to embed information and digital literacy teaching and learning into service delivery for specific contexts

Your assessment will be in the form of:
1) a learning and teaching intervention which will include a user needs analysis, lesson plan detailing how you will address your users’ needs and the learning materials (these can be hard-copy, online or both) you will devise to deliver this.
2) an essay justifying the approach you have taken in your learning and teaching intervention with a critical overview of information and digital literacy models and associated learning and teaching interventions. You will show how collection development supports this intervention and what liaison or advocacy techniques you will use to embed your approach in service delivery or the curriculum. Essay length 3,000 words (+/-10%).
These are worth 100% of the module marks and assess all MLOs.

You will be given verbal and written feedback for the summative assessment. Verbal feedback will be given for the formative assessment. You will be able to feed this forward into your workplace or further study.

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In this module you will learn about the models, theories and research in information and digital literacy, their evolution and their implications for enhancing your users’ skills and capabilities. You will find out about a range of teaching and learning theories and methods and how these can be used to deliver high quality learning experiences for your users. You will also learn how to champion and advocate these approaches to embed them within service delivery and embed within the curriculum in educational settings. You will also find out about new ways of collection development and identifying user needs for example, reading list services and how these, with information and digital literacy, can be used to create a seamless service delivery. For your assignments you will design a learning and teaching intervention (and associated learning materials) to address your users’ needs. You will also produce an essay critically evaluating your approach.