| CODE | LIS3515 | ||||||||||||||||
| TITLE | Digital Literacy and the Web | ||||||||||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course | ||||||||||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 6 | ||||||||||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | ||||||||||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Library Information and Archive Sciences | ||||||||||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | The study-unit provides an introduction to digital literacy and the application of Web 2.0 technologies in the library environment, from a digital publishing point of view, a delivery point of view and readership point of view.. Digital literacy is defined as the ability to “use information and communication technologies to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information requiring both cognitive and technical skills” (ALA Digital Literacy Task Force). This study-unit explores a range of digital tools and the digital competencies required for effective communication, networking, learning and teaching in the Web 2.0 library environment. The study-unit does not address any programming skills but covers the topics from a content provision and managerial perspective. Some indicative topics which will be covered include the following: - Definitions of digital literacy as distinct from technical skills; - An introduction to Web 2.0 tools and processes in the context of libraries; - Web 2.0 tools and social media publishing like blogging,microblogging and wikis; - New publishing frameworks e.g. Creative Commons, Open Access Publishing and Open Educational Resources; - How libraries and librarians are changing in response to current and future trends in digital publishing, e.g user-generated content,readership trends, information obesity, the post-truth society and the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic. Study-unit Aims: - To introduce the value and application of Web 2.0 tools in the context of 21st Century literacies and Libraries 2.0; - To help students appreciate issues related to digital information access, digital information publishing and the consumption of such digital streams and artefacts; - To examine different methods in creating and sharing user-generated content (text & multimedia) using online social communication tools to enhance visibility of library services; - To analyse the current trends in digital publishing, digital readership and digital libraries; - To appraise the significance of ethical use of online information and accepted codes of practice for sharing and communicating information in Library 2.0; - To provide students with the opportunity to work on a digital publishing project and test their understanding, practise the newly-acquired skills and show their competences attained in the unit. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Define the differences between digital literacy, information literacy and other literacies and apply them in the context of 21st Century consumption patterns of publications, librarianship and literacies; - Critically analyse the characteristics and function of different types of Web 2.0 tools and their significance for library participatory, user-driven services; - Describe the processes involved in creating and sharing online content through Web 2.0 tools to create resources for library users; following good ethical practice by means of utilising Web 2.0 tools to create an online resource for library users; - Discuss the changes experienced by the publishing industry with initiatives such as Creative Commons, Open Educational Resources, Digital Rights Management and Open Access Publications. and their impact on end user consumption and libraries; - Adopt key processes in reflective writing by maintaining a reflective log that monitors strengths, weaknesses and particular actions for further development in relation to the areas covered in the study-unit. 2. Skills By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Effectively utilise a range of Web 2.0 tools for promoting user-driven library services and engaging in professional networking; - Use and efficiently employ digital tools for creating online learning and information resources; - Use, share and create online information following ethical guidelines and accepted codes of practice, which address issues of intellectual property, data protection, privacy and freedom of expression; - Devise and implement simple strategies based on digital literacies to address such phenomena as the information overload, the “post-truth society”, misinformation and disinformation; - Apply reflective writing and good practices for continuing professional development which can be utilised in the context of Library 2.0 and traditional libraries. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: - American Council of Research Libraries (ACRL).(2015).Framework for Information literacy for higher education.Retrieved from http;//www.ala.org.acrl/standrds/ilframework - Barton, C. C. (2019). Critical Literacy in the Post-Truth Media Landscape. Policy Futures in Education, 17(8), 1024–1036. https://doi.org/10.1177/1478210319831569 - Borg, J. J. (2018). The academics' perceptions of open access : a case study at the University of Malta (Diploma long essay). - Carretero, S., Vuorikari, R., & Punie, Y. (2017). DigComp 2.1: The Digital Competence Framework for Citizens with eight proficiency levels and examples of use (No. JRC106281). Joint Research Centre (Seville site). - Huvila, I., Holmberg, K., Kronqvist-Berg, M., Nivakoski, O., & Widén, G. (2013). What is Librarian 2.0–New competencies or interactive relations? A library professional viewpoint. Journal of Librarianship and Information Science, 45(3), 198-205. - Pokorná, L., Indrák, M., Grman, M., Stepanovsky, F. and Smetánková, M. (2020), "Silver lining of the COVID-19 crisis for digital libraries in terms of remote access", Digital Library Perspectives, Vol. 36 No. 4, pp. 389-401. https://doi.org/10.1108/DLP-05-2020-0026 Supplementary Texts: - Belshaw, D. (2014). The Essential Elements of Digital Literacies. Retrieved from https://gumroad.com/l/digilit - Gilster, P., (1997). Digital literacy. New York: Wiley Computer Pub.. - Jain, P. (2013). A paradigm shift in the 21st century academic libraries and librarians: prospectus and opportunities. European Journal of Academic Research, 1 (3), 133- 147. - Lochman, M. (2019). Digital libraries : the future of libraries in the 21st century? - O’Reilly, T. (2005). What is Web 2.0? Design patterns and business models for the next generation of software. Retrieved from http://oreilly.com/web2/archive/what-is-web-20.html - Prensky, M. (2001). Digital natives, digital immigrants part 1. On the horizon, 9(5), 1-6. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Practical | ||||||||||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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