Workshop 1: Introduction to the SADL Project

Welcome to SADL!

• SADL Project aims

SADL: what’s in it for you• Free training• Tea, coffee, cake, chocolate• Vouchers• PDAM statement (good for employability)• Online Badges to display your skills

• A chance to have a voice

Introductions

In pairs introduce: - • Name• Degree• What annoys you most on social media? Any

favourites?

What skills do you think are useful to support your studies?

Definition of digital literacy

a. “the ‘savvyness’ that allows young people to participate meaningfully and safely as digital technology becomes ever more pervasive in society.”

b. “By digital literacy we mean those capabilities which fit an individual for living, learning and working in a digital society; for example, the skills to use digital tools to undertake academic research, writing and critical thinking: as per personal development planning: and as a way of showcasing achievements.”

c. “Digital and information literacies are the skills, knowledge and understanding that underpin our ability to learn, undertake research and to teach in a digital age. It is vital that LSE students and staff develop critical, creative, discerning and safe practises when engaging with information in the academic environment.”

Which definition of digital literacy do you prefer?

A. The savvyness to participate meaningfully and safely in society

B. Capabilities which fit an individual in a digital society

C. Skills, knowledge and understand that underpin learning

The savvyn

ess to

particip

...

Capabilities w

hich fit a

n i...

Skills,

knowledge and un...

33% 33%33%

Searching for informationWhere do you currently search for information if you need to write an essay?

Where do you currently search to get a recommendation about a good film to see?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Lookoutboy.jpg

Searching for an essay topic

• Education in UK: are British school age students lagging behind other countries?

• Use Google, Google Scholar and Library Search

• Compare and contrast your search results

• Quality of results? Can you find statistics? Articles?

Differences Between Google Scholar and Library Search (Summon)

• Coverage• Type of materials• Reliability of materials• Search functions

How to search Google Scholar

• Try the advanced search• Too many results? add extra search terms• Not enough results? think of different terms• Results too vague? try using “quote marks” to

search for phrases.• Modify library links to show LSE content

How to search Summon

• Search for words• Use refining options• Too many results? add extra search terms• Not enough results? think of different search

terms• Results too vague? try using “quote marks” to

search for phrases.

Keywords

Define topic

Identify scope and keywords

Structure your

search

Choose information sources

Perform your

search

Review your

results

Assessing what you find

• Who wrote it? Individual or organisation• Why did they write it?• Where is it? URL? .gov, .ac.uk, .edu, .com, .org• When was it written/last updated?

• http://zapatopi.net/treeoctopus/• http://www.preparingforemergencies.co.uk

Which is your favourite academic search engine now?

A. GoogleB. Google ScholarC. Library Search

(Summon)D. Somewhere else

Google

Google Scholar

Libra

ry Se

arch (S

ummon)

Somewhere else

25% 25%25%25%

Blogging

• What is a blog• Blogs as a information source• Blogs as an academic source• Do you blog?• Are you following / reading any blogs?• What makes a good blog?

Writing good blog posts

• Come up with a catchy title for the post• Make your point early• Include links (but not too many)• Videos and images add nuance

– Embedding other content sends readers to your blog too!

• Tag and categorise your posts• Think of your audience!

Blogging activity

• Write a post to go on the SADL blog• 200 words on what annoys you on social

media and why (and anything you might like too!)

Keep in touch

• You are digital literacy ambassadors• Talk to your peers!

• What have you learnt today?• What would you like in the next workshop?

• Workshop 2: TBC: first half of Lent Term