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Fiona Salisbury
La Trobe University
@fiSalisbury

John Hannon
La Trobe University
@John_H99 ‏

Jennifer Peasley
La Trobe University
@PeasleyJennifer ‏

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Abstract

The proliferation of “literacies” in educational discourse reflect a diverse array of interests, encompassing computer, information, technical, media literacies, and also forms like academic, financial, and health literacies. As digital literacies have become a concern for higher education curriculum, there has been a tendency to define it as a practical type of operational know-how. This paper sets out a university-wide, holistic and critical approach that breaks from the legacy of institutional framings that narrow digital literacies to a set of skills or competencies.
In developing a Digital Literacies Framework, La Trobe University articulated a shared understanding of digital literacies as the capabilities and attitudes that are needed by staff ‘in a digitally connected world’. This marks a shift from strategies that primarily deploy institutional curriculum mapping and measurement approaches; rather it argues for an institutional approach that requires collaboration and strategic engagement of students and academic and professional staff, in order to meet goals related to building digital capability. The La Trobe Digital Literacies Framework takes a whole university perspective that integrates policy and practice, providing a rationale for the critical importance of digital literacies in domains of life, work and learning, addressing an implicit ‘Why?’ question from staff and students. The University Library coordinated the Framework development. It was a scholarly undertaking that gathered evidence and reviewed international best practice. In this endeavour, the La Trobe University Library is a leader in the implementation of a university-wide strategy for digital literacies in Australia.

About the Authors

Fiona Salisbury

Fiona Salisbury is the Deputy Director, Learning and Engagement in the Library at La Trobe University. Fiona has worked at La Trobe since 2006. She has published papers on information literacy, collaborative practice and library management. Her current research projects cover a broad range of interests including critical university studies, digital literacies, and open educational resources. Fiona is also currently a PhD candidate at the University of Sydney.

John Hannon

Dr John Hannon has an Honorary Senior Lecturer positon in the School of Education at La Trobe University. His researches digital literacies, open education resources, and the digitisation of academic work and teaching; he also supervises research students and has taught postgraduate courses in university teaching and digital media. He has published internationally on educational technologies, academic development, professional practice, and intercultural communication. His current research focuses on transitions in academic work and university teaching that are emerging with the digitisation of higher education contexts.

Jennifer Peasley

Jennifer Peasley is University Librarian at La Trobe University Library, responsible for leading and managing library services and partnerships across the University’s six campuses. Prior to joining La Trobe University in January 2013, Jennifer was Deputy University Librarian at Macquarie University Library where her role encompassed quality and planning, corporate services and IT. Jennifer is Chair of the Council of Australian University Librarians’ Quality and Assessment Advisory Committee and has a strong interest in quality assurance, evaluation, and organisational design and development.