Varsity College Web & Digital Literacies Course
INTRODUCTION
Teachers are well aware of the gaps that exist in both academic and numeracy literacies and, in most instances, have interventions in place to address these gaps. Digital literacies, however, is a fairly recent concept/term – and educators are possibly more familiar with the consequences of a lack in digital literacies than they are with the actual term itself. For example; while a student may be able to confidently take a photograph, load it onto their Facebook timeline and share it with their friends; they may be less confident conducting research on a topic using Twitter and collaborating on a shared document online using Google Docs. More often than not, educators themselves are not confident in this space to the point where they can provide support for their students.
Therefore, if an educator completes this SLP – they will be introduced to 8 elements of digital literacy intended to, firstly, upskill themselves and, secondly, support and develop their students in this space. One of the teaching and learning benefits of completing such a programme is that an educator can begin to guide students toward collaborating with one another electronically; thereby extending the learning process beyond the classroom and, most importantly, connecting students to other sources of online learning
As students begin to understand how to engage responsibly and meaningfully on the Web, they become better-able to create and share information with others; unrestricted by traditional barriers, such as time or geographical distance.
This SLP will provide 15 points towards the South Africa Council Educators (SACE) Continual Professional Teaching Development (CPTD) Portfolio of Evidence (POE).
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
- Any individual wanting to complete a quality professional development learning programme to enhance their web and digital literacies skills.
DURATION AND MODE OF DELIVERY
The programme consists of 20 sessions, which can either be offered as full day workshops over 3 days or a series of workshops over 4 weeks. .
PROGRAMMES MATERIAL
The short learning programme fee includes all programme material, which becomes the property of the student. This material constitutes a valuable source of on-going reference.
PROGRAMME EVALUATION
The final learning unit (LU7) requires students to create and upload an online/digitally-based artefact. Four possible options/suggestions are provided. The final option (No.4) offers students the autonomy to create an artefact entirely of their own design. There are no model answers for these assessments as they are designed to draw on individual interest and interpretation of the project scope. Facilitators may design rubrics to assist students with understanding the key areas of each project that will be evaluated, however these should act as guidelines only.
THE INDEPENDENT INSTITUTE OF EDUCATION (THE IIE) – ACCREDITED BY THE BRITISH ACCREDITATION COUNCIL
The IIE has been internationally recognised and accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC). The BAC has been responsible for setting standards within the independent further and higher education sector for 25 years. Their accreditation is held by hundreds of college in the UK and overseas. They provide the leading mark of educational quality for the sector, which is used by students, parents, agencies and beyond as a guarantee of standards. For more information please visit http://www.the-bac.org
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS
Students should meet the following requirements:
- Have basic knowledge and experience with the following:
- Working on the World Wide Web
- Microsoft Word
- Have used a Personal computer before.
