Online Participation and Digital Literacy

Today in a digital age academic practices is associated with effective utilization of computer based technologies which has a great impact in the transmission of knowledge and skills through collaboration in a networked environment (Blummer, 2008). Therefore it is very important for the educationists to assess themselves on their competencies on the key issues dealing with information and knowledge management and its applicability for effective teaching and learning through the use of Information and Communication Technologies.   

Digital literacy comprises a range of abilities from basic computing skills to the creation of multimodal texts and general access and use of ICTs.

 Experience of Digital Consumption in Academic Practices

There are no doubts that digital transformation has impacted every industry including business, politics, education and many others. Educators in different learning dimensions have realized the significance of computer based technologies and it is application in a classroom (Blummer, 2008; Kajee and Balfour, 2011).

Through this training/course which intend to build us with more digital literacy competencies, it is my great hope that as educators we shall make a drastic changes to our instructional methods and strategies, mode of assessments, pedagogical approach, general class management, and to make sure it positively impacts students in general learning process through effective online collaboration using various online collaborative tools.

Digital Access Technology

The acquisition of digital literacy among the educators may lead to effective deployment of educational technology which makes learning collaborative and interactive. Augmented, virtual, and mixed reality are examples of transformative technology that enhance teacher instruction while simultaneously creating immersive lessons that are fun and engaging for the student. 

Course expectations

Generally this is the very begging of the journey which aims at imparting educators from different zones across the world with enough digital literacy skills and it is applicability in teaching and learning. It is my pleasure that I will be able to share experience with people across the world and having a networked collaborative sessions with experienced facilitators to cover four major topics including the following:

• Online participation and digital literacy 
• Open learning-sharing and openness
• Learning in communities-networked collaborative learning 
• Designing for online and blended learning

Finally making general assessment for lessons learnt and recommendation for best future practices will be made.  

References 

Blummer, B. (2008) ‘Digital literacy practices among youth populations : A review of the literature By Barbara Blummer Abstract’, Education Libraries: Childrens Resources.
Kajee, L. and Balfour, R. (2011) ‘Students’ access to digital literacy at a South African university: Privilege and marginalisation’, Southern African Linguistics and Applied Language Studies.

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