1. To develop your own digital literacies

Digital literacies can be defined as the capabilities which make someone fit someone

for living, learning and working in a digital society.

JISC: https://www.jisc.ac.uk/guides/developing-students-digital-literacy

The staff do not need to be technology experts; communications skills, flexibility and an

eagerness to learn and share are much more important.

JISC: https://www.jisc.ac.uk/guides/developing-students-digital-literacy

2. To boost your confidence in using digital media for teaching

3. To deeply understand the nature of Technology-Enhanced

Learning

Learning technology is the broad range of communication, information and related technologies that can be used to support

learning, teaching, and assessment.

Association for Leaning Technology: http://www.alt.ac.uk/about-alt/what-learning-technology

4. To look at the technological developments and their implications for teaching

The pace of technological change is acceleratingand the impact of digital technology will

continue to have a profound effect on society. It is critical to fully understand these technological

developments and their implications for teaching, learning and assessment.

FELTAG (2013): Paths forward to a digital future for Further Education and Skills

5. To ensure the effective use of digital technology in learning

…which does not mean digital technology in teaching is not the end goal in itself.

FELTAG (2013): Paths forward to a digital future for Further Education and Skills

6. International institutions are encouraging educators to use

digital technologies

The European Commission initiative Opening Up Education (September 2013) calls for member

states to support innovative teaching and learning environments.

EC: http://ec.europa.eu/education/policy/strategic-framework/education-technology.htm

7. Students entering university have a wide variety of digital

and learning practices

They have indistinct ideas about how they will learn at university and what constitutes

legitimate learning practice – especially digital practice – in a university context.

Beetham & White, 2013. Students’ expectations and experiences of the digital environment. Jisc: http://repository.jisc.ac.uk/5572/1/JR0006_STUDENTS_EXPECTATIONS_EXEC_SUMMARY_v2.pdf

8. The majority of students now expect…

The capacity easily to connect their own devices to the university network and technology

incorporated into their teaching/learning in ways that are relevant to their academic

success.

Beetham & White, 2013. Students’ expectations and experiences of the digital environment. Jisc: http://repository.jisc.ac.uk/5572/1/JR0006_STUDENTS_EXPECTATIONS_EXEC_SUMMARY_v2.pdf

9. To prepare students for real life

A recent report found that 90% of jobs require digital skills to some degree and the skills gap costs the economy around £63bn a year in lost

income

BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36510266

10. To tackle digital exclusion

It is thought 12.6 million adults lack basic digital skills, while 5.8 million have never used the

internet at all. Digital exclusion and systemic problems with education and training need to

be urgently addressed, a recent report said.

BBC: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-36510266