Open University: Being digital and the Digital and information Literacy (DIL) framework

Congratulations to the Open University this year’s Credo Digital Award winner at LILAC with their Digital and Information Literacy (DIL) framework & Being digital site. 

These two freely-available resources cover the following:

The DIL framework builds on the OU’s existing information literacy levels framework and adds communication, sharing, collaboration and creation of new information. The accompanying DIL framework facilitation cards can be used at meetings and workshops to enable discussions about the integration of these skills at different levels of study. They cover the following DIL skills areas:

• Understand and engage in digital practices
• Find information
• Critically evaluate information, online interactions and online tools
• Manage and communicate information
• Collaborate and share digital information

 Both the framework and the facilitation cards are licensed under Creative Commons. The Information Literacy team hopes you will find these useful in your own teaching environments. The OU would welcome any feedback on how you’re using them, and examples.

The Being digital site comprises a variety of bite-size interactive learning objects on finding, using and sharing information online.  Open-source software was used to create many of the resources. They cover topics such as:

• Presenting yourself to best advantage online and managing your digital identity
• Making the most of online networks
• Knowing who and what to trust online
• Using Wikipedia
• Evaluating and using online tools
• Searching effectively

The aim is to help learners become confident and critical users of digital tools and resources in any situation. Each learning activity takes no longer than 10 minutes to complete and can be used very flexibly. Learners can select individual activities by browsing an A-Z list or follow a specific pathway to gain a deeper understanding of a topic.

Resources will soon be available with Creative Commons licences attached.

Thanks to Nancy Graham at the University of Birmingham for circulating the above information through LIS-INFOLITERACY@JISCMAIL