Digital learning and development

Digital learning

Digital learning is the ability to turn digital opportunities into personal learning gains, using a range of media such as apps, games and quizzes; participating in courses, discussions and learning networks; using digital tools to plan, reflect and showcase learning; monitoring and self-assessing; managing time and tasks.

Digital teaching

Digital teaching is the ability to support and develop others in digital settings. This might mean working in a teaching role or as part of a teaching team, or it might mean supporting development less formally, as an appraiser or mentor.

In practice:

• Understand that learning and development is a continuous process that empowers the individual.
• Understand how to use the tools and services available to make the most of your development opportunities and know where and how to find the right learning and development material for your needs, both inside the University and beyond.
• Feel confident to support your colleagues in their own learning should the need arise.

In teaching:

• Be able to confidently deliver teaching in both synchronous and asynchronous digital spaces.
• To have a good understanding of a range of pedagogies and their use in and across different digital spaces, including the tools and services that help support and facilitate this practice.
• Be able to design and deliver engaging educational content and support your learners in reaching their potential.
• To have the confidence that even if you don’t know the answer or how to do something, you know where to find out.
• To have the confidence to experiment and try something new and outside your usual comfort zone.
• To know where to find and access additional support to enable you to achieve your desired teaching and learning goals.

In learning:

• To have the confidence and understanding of both tools and practices to enable you to make the most of your time at the University.
• To develop a range of personal knowledge management practices to maximise you potential learning as efficiently and creatively as you can.

The 3E framework can add an additional (optional) nuance to the examples presented. The framework consists of three descriptors: Enhance, Extend, and Empower. These should be seen more as degrees of engagement rather than levels of attainment and it will be more contextual as to which might be the most appropriate for a given circumstance. These should not be seen as levels of achievement where to reach the next level you must first attain the previous.

The enhance component of the framework focuses on increased productivity. Extend goes deeper and focuses on more collaborative practice and working beyond the obvious. Finally, empower highlights innovative practice often involving others in a creative way. Even the same task performed by different people, or the same person at different times may require a different degree of engagement.

Take a look at the examples below for this dimension of the Jisc digital capability framework. Can you think of some other examples which better relate to your own context and practice? You can also use the Discovery Tool to conduct a self-audit of your skills, generating a report with recommendations of resources and developmental opportunities mapped against your own desired developmental outcomes.

Enhance:

• Draw on a range of learning opportunities available both inside the University and beyond (LinkedIn Learning, YouTube, Udemy etc.).
• Use digital tools to improve your individual productivity.

Extend:

• Work collaboratively with others across a range of communities of practice.
• Share your expertise with others in ways that promote learning.
• Promote greater collaboration with colleagues.

Empower:

• Use tools and systems for innovative and/or creative approaches to the facilitation of professional learning and development.
• Use digital tools to support, develop and empower others in creative or innovative ways.

Discovery Tool

Assess your digital capabilities with the Discovery Tool. It aims to aid understanding and self-reflection and then highlights opportunities for you to develop your skills. Answer questions relating to your digital skills, understanding and confidence to receive a personalised report. The report provides details of your digital capability levels across various themes and highlights relevant resources, including specially curated resources by OD&PL. The Discovery Tool is based upon the six elements of the Jisc digital capabilities framework.

Case studies

There are some great examples of how the Discovery Tool has been implemented across the sector, find out more by exploring the JISC implementation case studies. We are interested in hearing about your applications of using the Discovery Tool amongst departments, services and with your students.  If you are interested in spotlighting an example of your practice, then please do get in touch: academicdev@leeds.ac.uk.

Further Guidance

• Digital Educations Systems Help site - For how-to guides and practical support in using tools, visit the Digital Educations Systems Help site.
• IT Services - For technical support and to request assistance, visit the IT Services websiteusing your university username and password to log in.
• Organisational Development & Professional Learning (OD&PL) – You can find further development opportunities related to your personal and professional development on the OD&PL website. This includes information about staff and student access to a free LinkedIn Learning
• Embedding into the Curriculum - For support with embedding digital capabilities into the curriculum please discuss with your Faculty Digital Education Enhancement Teams.

Related networks and Communities of Practice

There are several networks and communities of practice at Leeds which can support you and your practice. A list of staff networks on the For Staff website is available, as well as a list of student education networks and communities on the OD&PL Student Education Development website.